Byron Park

Byron Park near Borehamwood is a proper nature reserve - the sort of place where you actually see wildlife instead of just hoping you might. We're talking ponds, grassland, and enough trees to make you forget you're in suburban Hertfordshire. The paths are straightforward enough that you won't need a map, though worn trainers would be foolish after rain.

It's ideal for anyone who needs an hour or two outdoors without the faffing about that comes with bigger nature reserves. Families with young kids do well here - there's enough to keep them occupied spotting birds and insects, but it's not so vast that you're coaxing them round for half the day. Serious twitchers might find it a touch limited compared to the bigger Hertfordshire reserves, but for a quick nature fix it delivers.

Access appears to be free and there's no set visiting hours from what we could establish - it's the sort of place you turn up to when you fancy it. Allow an hour, ninety minutes at most unless you're really keen on identifying every plant species.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks - Home Farm Glamping, Aldenham Country Park, or Heritage Park Homes up at Bushey Hall - Byron Park makes a sensible addition to your itinerary rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with a walk round Aldenham Country Park just 3.8 miles away and you've got yourself a decent day of outdoor poking about.