Valley Gardens park

The flatness of the East Yorkshire coast takes some getting used to, but Valley Gardens near Withernsea rather makes the most of what nature's handed it. This is a proper nature reserve - the kind of place where you wander without much fanfare, spotting what the seasons throw at you rather than walking into some manicured showstopper.

What you get depends entirely on when you visit. Spring brings migrants and breeding birds; autumn sees warblers and the odd rarity if you're lucky. The walking is gentle - no dramatic climbs, just paths that meander through scrub and open grassland where you can actually hear yourself think. A pair of binoculars isn't essential but you'll regret not having them.

This is really a birders' spot, to be honest. Families with young kids might manage an hour before the flat terrain and lack of facilities start to feel a bit samey. But if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Withernsea Sands or one of the other parks nearby and you actually care about seeing something alive other than amusement arcade visitors, Valley Gardens is worth a morning walk.

Bring a notebook if you're into recording what you see. There's no visitor centre or café - it's just the reserve itself. Free access, thankfully, which takes the sting out of turning up and finding it quieter than you'd hoped. The best time is early morning when the light's decent and the birds are more active.