Knettishall Heath Natur Reserve ,SSSI and GSI Nature Reserve

The heath stretches out flat and open, all gorse and heather with the occasional pine plantation breaking up the skyline. It's a proper nature reserve in the Norfolk-Suffolk borderlands, one of those places where you actually feel like you've escaped rather than just popped into a car park for twenty minutes.

What you're looking at is lowland heathland that's been managed to hell and back by conservationists to stop it turning into scrubland. The walking is straightforward - sandy paths criss-cross the reserve without much elevation gain, which means everyone from toddlers to grandparents can manage it. Bird watchers come here seriously. Nightjars in summer, redstarts, woodlarks. If you're into that sort of thing, you'll want binoculars and patience. Non-twitchers will find it pleasant but honestly a bit samey after an hour.

The nearest proper town is Diss, which is about ten minutes' drive south, so it works well as a morning or afternoon slot during a longer stay. If you're based at Arthur's Retreat - that motorhome campsite just five miles away - Knettishall makes a solid leg-stretch between days exploring the wider area. The reserve is free to visit, and you can rock up whenever you like since there's no formal opening hours. Early morning or late afternoon is when the light's best and the wildlife most active. Spring and summer beat winter hands down for what you'll actually see.