Alney Island Nature Reserve

The Severn splits around Alney Island just outside Gloucester, creating a proper wildlife hotspot that most visitors to the area completely overlook. It's a working nature reserve rather than a manicured attraction - expect mudflats, reedbeds, and the occasional heron rather than visitor centres or facilities.

You can walk the island's perimeter on footpaths that wind through different habitats. Birdwatchers come here obsessively, particularly in winter when migrating wildfowl turn up. Spring's good too if you want to see breeding pairs settling in. The walks aren't strenuous - more of a gentle wander than a hike - so it suits families with older kids and anyone keen on riverside scenery without the crowds.

It's free to access, though there's nowhere to buy refreshments on site, so bring what you need. Allow an hour or so for a proper circuit, longer if you're stopping constantly to identify birds. The muddy paths can be boggy after rain, so waterproof boots are sensible.

As a park-based holiday, this slots in well alongside stays at Court Farm or Norton Park, both within easy distance. It breaks up a camping trip nicely - you're not paying entry fees, and it gets you outside without driving far. Honest truth: it won't blow your mind if you're not into birdwatching or riverside walking. But if you are, it's exactly the sort of place that reminds you why you came to Gloucestershire in the first place.