Middle Amble Marsh

The path to Middle Amble Marsh winds through Chapel Amble, a quiet village that doesn't get half the tourist traffic of nearby Padstow. Once you reach the reserve itself, you're looking at a proper tidal estuary - mudflats, salt marsh, and water that shifts dramatically depending on the time of day. It's the kind of place where birdwatchers actually find things worth watching.

Walkers come here for the relatively gentle routes along the estuary's edge. The marsh opens up nicely in winter when migrating waders congregate, and spring brings nesting birds if you're patient enough to sit still. Summer's less dramatic but still pleasant - the light gets low and golden across the water towards evening. Bring binoculars unless you're happy with distant silhouettes.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing a proper walk and stopping to look. It won't exhaust you, which makes it ideal if you're staying at Padstow Holiday Village and want something quieter than the beach. Kids who like splashing about in mud will have a field day during low tide, though it's not the obvious family outing - there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of.

The real strength of Middle Amble is what it isn't. No gift shops, no ice cream vans, no crowds. Just water, birds, and the occasional person who actually knows what they're looking for. Go at dusk if you want to feel like you've discovered something rather than visited it.