Carr Bank Park

The wetland here is proper rewarding if you're the type who gets excited about dragonflies and wading birds rather than theme park queues. Carr Bank Park, just outside Mansfield, is a working nature reserve where you'll actually see something - I watched a little egret working the shallows for a good twenty minutes on my last visit.

It's the kind of place that makes sense for a morning walk rather than a full day out. The paths are straightforward, the viewing areas decent, and you won't fight crowds even on weekends. Bring binoculars if you're serious about the birdwatching; leave them at home if you just want a gentle walk through wet woodland.

Families with patient kids will do well here - there's enough to spot and enough calm to actually spot it. If your children need climbing frames and ice cream vans, they'll be bored within thirty minutes, so be honest about that before you go. The reserve is free, which is the only bit I can confirm with absolute certainty, and you can usually knock out a loop in two hours without rushing.

Worth combining with the holiday parks nearby - Sherwood Pines gets solid reviews if you're after a base with proper facilities - or use it as a peaceful break between Sherwood Forest itself and the wider Mansfield area. It's a bit off the main tourist trail, which is precisely why it works.