Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve

The meadows stretch out in proper waves of wildflower chaos come late spring - it's the sort of place where you actually notice the difference between a good year and a bad one for orchids. Foxearth Meadows sits just outside Sudbury and feels genuinely untouched, which is rarer than you'd think in Suffolk these days.

What you're getting here is traditional meadowland that's been left alone long enough to remember what it's supposed to look like. Adders-tongue ferns, green-winged orchids, the whole works. It's walking terrain, mostly - bring decent boots if there's been rain, because it can get squelchy - and you're looking at a couple of hours to do it justice without rushing.

Birders and wildflower enthusiasts will lose themselves here for half a day. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after an hour unless they're proper nature spotters. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared.

If you're staying at Cranfield Retreat or Lake View Lodges - both within a mile - this makes an excellent morning outing. The proximity is genuine bonus territory. You could easily combine it with a walk into Sudbury itself for lunch without it feeling like you're doubling back. Spring and early summer are the obvious times, though late August brings the second flush of flowers if you time it right.