Willingham QEII Field Play Park

A proper little nature reserve just east of Cambridge, Willingham QEII Field is the sort of place you'd drive past without noticing - which is exactly why it's worth stopping for. What you get is open grassland, scrubby hedgerow, and the kind of unremarkable Cambridgeshire landscape that somehow rewards a closer look. Walkers and birdwatchers will find something here; casual day-trippers less so.

The reserve itself is small and free to access, which means you're looking at maybe thirty to forty minutes if you're taking it seriously. There are no facilities to speak of, no cafes or visitor centre, just the field and whatever wildlife happens to be about. Spring and early summer are your best bets if you want to see anything besides rabbits and the odd pheasant.

It works best as a quick detour when you're already in the area rather than a destination in itself. If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Roseberry Tourist Park is barely over a mile away, Cuckoo Fen just a bit further - it's the sort of place to stretch your legs and get some air between pitching the tent and planning dinner. The flat terrain suits families with younger kids, though older children might find it a touch dull unless they're into serious nature spotting. Nothing fancy, nothing Instagram-worthy, but honest and free.