Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (Winchelsea)

The shingle spit at Rye Harbour feels properly isolated, even though Winchelsea is practically on your doorstep. You're walking through a working landscape here - the reserve manages the channels and pools that attract vast numbers of waders and wildfowl, especially in winter and during migration periods. The paths are straightforward, mostly flat, and you can knock out a couple of hours without breaking a sweat, though the wind off the channel can be fierce.

Birders will have the time of their lives, particularly between autumn and spring when thousands of migrating birds funnel through. Bring proper binoculars and a decent field guide. Families with young children might find it a bit bleak if the weather turns - there's not much shelter and precious little else to do if the birds aren't showing. That said, the shingle and pools have their own austere beauty, and children often enjoy spotting things through a scope.

It's free to explore, which is a genuine bonus. Go early in the day for the best light and the quietest experience. The reserve works brilliantly as part of a wider circuit if you're staying at Winchelsea Sands or Rye Harbour Holiday Parks - both within spitting distance. Combine it with a wander round Winchelsea's medieval street grid and you've got a proper morning sorted. The birdwatching calendar matters here more than anywhere; check what's been spotted recently before you visit.