Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve

Mudflats stretch out towards the Colne Estuary, with wading birds picking their way across the exposed sand at low tide. Fingringhoe Wick sits on a bend of the river just east of Colchester, occupying what was once a gravel quarry that nature has thoroughly reclaimed. The flooded pits now form a series of lakes surrounded by scrubland and young woodland.

Birdwatchers get the best deal here, especially in winter when the reserve fills with wildfowl and the occasional bittern skulks in the reedbeds. The hides overlook the main lake, though they're fairly basic affairs. Spring brings nightingales to the scrub, while summer sees the lakes busy with dragonflies and damselflies.

Families will find it pleasant enough for a short walk, but there's not much to keep children engaged beyond the ducks. The paths are mostly level, making it accessible for pushchairs and those with mobility issues.

From the holiday parks around Mersea Island - Coopers Beach and Orchards Holiday Village are both within easy reach - it makes a decent morning out if you fancy a break from the beach. The reserve works well combined with a trip into Colchester or a visit to nearby Mersea Island itself. Give it two hours at most, longer if you're serious about your birding.