Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground

The Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground sits on the edge of Skegness, a proper slice of East Lincolnshire coastland that doesn't pretend to be anything fancier than it is. It's a nature reserve where you can actually spot things - waders, wildfowl, the odd shy heron if you're quiet enough. The paths wind through saltmarsh and scrubland, the kind of landscape that rewards a proper walk rather than a quick stroll.

Walkers will get the most from this spot, particularly birdwatchers who know what they're looking for. Bring binoculars and patience. Kids might find it a bit thin on obvious entertainment - there's no café, no visitor centre theatre show, just the marshland and whatever birds fancy appearing that day. Families staying at the nearby caravan parks (Skegness Seaview is your best bet locally) could add it to a morning's outing without making it the entire event.

The ground's free to access, as nature reserves tend to be, though opening times aren't clearly published so head there during daylight hours. Allow a couple of hours for a proper ramble, less if you're just seeing what's about. Spring and autumn bring the migration, so birdwatchers should plan accordingly.

It works well as a breather from the seaside resort intensity just down the road - quieter than the main beaches, more alive than you'd expect. Not a must-do, but genuinely worth an hour if you're staying in the area and fancy something a bit different from the fairground crowds at Butlins.