Montgomery Canal - Wern Claypit Nature Reserve

The old claypit at Wern has been left to its own devices, and nature's made quite a good job of it. What was once an industrial scar on the landscape is now a proper wetland - the sort of place where you'll spot dragonflies skimming the water and hear reed warblers if you're quiet enough. The reserve sits right alongside the Montgomery Canal, which means you can walk the towpath and dip into the reserve whenever it takes your fancy.

It's not dramatic scenery. There are no mountains here, no soaring viewpoints. What you get instead is something slower - birds, plants, the gentle sound of water. Bird watchers will have a field day, especially in spring and autumn migration. Families with young children might find it a bit too subtle; there's no café, no visitor centre, just the real thing. But if you're the type who enjoys a quiet walk and actually looking at what's around you, this is well worth an hour of your time.

The reserve is free and accessible year-round, though it's at its best between April and September when everything's properly active. Llanymynech is just down the road, which puts you within easy reach of several caravan parks - Derwen Mill and Bank Farm are both roughly three miles away. The canal itself is a decent walk if the weather's decent, and combining a morning here with an afternoon stroll along the towpath makes for a proper day out. Bring binoculars. Bring a notepad if you're into that sort of thing.