Milton Locks Nature Reserve

The Milton Locks slip quietly into the landscape near Hayling Island, where the Langstone Harbour meets the mainland in a tangle of creeks and salt marsh. It's a proper place for birdwatchers - waders, terns, and the occasional winter visiting godwit turn up here regularly, and the viewing opportunities are genuinely excellent if you're patient. The locks themselves are old water management structures, remnants of when this area was managed differently, but the real draw is the habitat itself: reed beds, mudflats, and open water that shift with the tides.

You'll want binoculars and decent boots. Expect to spend an hour or two wandering the paths, though serious ornithologists could camp here all day. Spring and autumn bring the most activity, though winter is rewarding if you don't mind the cold. It's free to access, which is always welcome.

For families with young kids, it depends entirely on their patience for staying still and quiet - if they're bog standard "let's run around" types, they'll get bored fast. Older children with any interest in nature will get more from it. Walkers after a gentle circuit will find decent paths, though it's not dramatic or particularly challenging. The muddy sections can be tricky in winter.

Stay at Fishery Creek Touring Park if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days. It's close enough to make this a worthwhile morning visit before heading to the beach at Hayling Island itself.