Skylarks Nature Reserve

The reserve spreads across grassland and wetland just outside Nottingham, and it's genuinely one of those places where you actually see birds rather than just hoping you might. Skylarks Nature Reserve is run by the Wildlife Trust and does what it says on the tin - it's a proper working habitat, not a manicured visitor attraction with a cafe and gift shop.

You get open views across rough grassland where skylarks do their mad vertical thing in spring and summer, singing their heads off as they climb. The wetland pools attract waders and waterfowl depending on the season. Bring binoculars or you'll spend half the time squinting. The walking is straightforward, mostly on established paths, so it's accessible enough for families with older kids, though toddlers will get bored fast if the birdwatching doesn't grab them.

This is proper for birders and nature photographers. Casual visitors after a quick stroll might find it a bit sparse - there's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just habitat and whatever's living in it on the day. The reserve operates on trust and observation, which appeals to some people and leaves others cold.

If you're camping nearby at Bell Tent Village Parks or the Caravanning Club site, it's worth a morning visit during migration season or spring breeding time. Summer is your best bet for skylarks specifically. Allow ninety minutes if you're actually looking for birds properly, thirty if you just want to say you've been. Check the Wildlife Trust website before you visit for access details and what's been spotted recently.