RSPB Cors Ddyga

The wetland reserve at Cors Ddyga sits just outside Gaerwen on Anglesey, and it's genuinely worth the short detour if you're into birdwatching or just want to stretch your legs in proper countryside. This is RSPB land - a working nature reserve where the whole point is the birds and the habitat they need, not crowds and visitor centres. You'll find yourself on quiet footpaths with viewing screens dotted along the marsh, binoculars in hand, listening for warblers and watching for herons.

The reserve works brilliantly for dedicated twitchers, but families with young kids might find it a bit slow-paced unless you really know your species. A couple of hours is enough to do the circuit and spot something decent, depending on the season. Spring and autumn are best when migration brings in visiting birds.

Admission is free - it's an RSPB reserve, so you're expected to use it respectfully. There's no café or facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. The paths can get muddy, particularly after rain, so proper boots matter more than you'd think.

If you're staying at any of the caravan parks nearby - Mornest is barely a mile away, or Ael y Garnedd and Y Fronydd a couple of miles further - this slots in perfectly as a morning activity before heading elsewhere on Anglesey. It's the sort of place that reminds you why people come to North Wales in the first place.