Worlingham Park

The River Waveney cuts through this corner of Norfolk like it owns the place, and Worlingham Park sits right on its banks just east of Beccles. It's a proper nature reserve, the kind where you're more likely to spot a kingfisher than run into a gift shop queue. The wetland habitat draws serious birdwatchers and casual wanderers alike - bring binoculars and patience, and you'll see why locals keep coming back.

The main draw is the birdlife. Winter brings wigeon and teal, spring gets warblers singing their hearts out, and if you're lucky, a marsh harrier will put on a show above the reed beds. The walking trails wind through the reserve without feeling like a theme park version of nature - it's quiet, genuine, and refreshingly unkempt. Allow a couple of hours to do it properly, though you could dash round in 45 minutes if time's tight.

Families with patient kids will do well here, though toddlers might get restless. Walkers and photographers absolutely should make the trip. The nearby glamping at Dawn Chorus Holidays (3.3 miles away) or either of the campsites at Wardley Hill or Sunnyside would make a solid base for exploring this stretch of the Waveney. Beccles itself has decent amenities if you need a coffee before or after. Free access, as far as I can tell - just turn up and see what the river's brought in that day.