Uphill Marina Nature Reserve

The tidal mudflats at Uphill Marina are worth a visit if you're staying around Burnham-on-Sea, though manage your expectations. It's not dramatic landscape - it's a working marina on the edge of Somerset's Levels where the River Axe meets the sea, and the real interest lies in what lives there rather than what you see at first glance.

Birdwatchers will get proper value. The reserve attracts waders, wildfowl, and if you're lucky, rarer species passing through on migration. Bring binoculars and a tide table - low tide reveals more of the mudflats and exposes feeding grounds. High tide can make access tricky. The walking is fairly flat and straightforward, so families won't struggle, though there's not much to keep young kids entertained beyond "look, a heron."

You're looking at an hour or so if you're serious about it, less if you just want a quick stroll. Free to access, naturally. It works well as a morning wander before heading to one of the nearby holiday parks - Channel View Touring Park and Diamond Farm Holiday Centre are both within striking distance - or combining it with a proper walk along the beach at Burnham itself.

The landscape is what it is: functional rather than scenic. But if you're into wildlife and you catch the light right at sunrise, it has a quiet charm that rewards paying attention. Don't make a special trip from elsewhere, but if you're parked nearby, it's a decent way to spend an hour.