Hawk & Owl Trust Sculthorpe moor

The boardwalk cuts through reed beds so tall they swallow you whole - one moment you're on solid ground near Fakenham, the next you're wading through an ocean of green. Sculthorpe Moor is a working nature reserve run by the Hawk & Owl Trust, and it's genuinely excellent for spotting birds of prey without needing binoculars the size of drainpipes.

You get proper hides dotted around the reserve where you can sit quietly and watch marsh harriers quarter the wetland, or if you're lucky, catch sight of owls at dusk. The paths are well-maintained and mostly flat, making it accessible even if you're not a hardcore rambler. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're serious about birdwatching, though you can dash round in forty minutes if time's tight.

It's the sort of place where kids will either be absolutely fascinated or bored rigid after half an hour - depends entirely on whether they're into wildlife. Adults who enjoy watching raptors work will find it absorbing. The reserve is free to explore, though donations are obviously welcome.

What makes it worth the trip from your caravan or glamping pod at Norfolk Coast Caravans, North Norfolk Glamping, or Wild Meadow is that it's genuine working conservation, not a prettified visitor attraction. You'll see the landscape doing its job. Spring and autumn are prime times for migrating birds, but winter has its own appeal when the reserve gets quieter and the light turns that golden Norfolk grey.