Woodston Ponds

The ponds themselves are what strike you first - three shallow water bodies strung out east of Peterborough, fringed with reeds and surprisingly alive with birdlife for somewhere so close to town. Woodston Ponds is one of those proper local spots that doesn't get in the guidebooks, which is exactly why it's worth knowing about. You can walk the perimeter easily enough, spotting teal and shoveler if you're there in winter, or terns and grebes in breeding season. The paths are flat and well-trodden, making this ideal for a gentle amble with binoculars rather than a serious hike. An hour is ample time unless you're serious about your ornithology, in which case you could happily spend half a day watching the water. It's free to access and there are no formal facilities, so arrive with realistic expectations - this is a working nature reserve, not a visitor attraction with cafes and benches. If you're camped at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club - just a mile and a half away - it's a cracking spot for a morning walk before breakfast. The other nearby option, Nene Outdoors Campsite, is similarly close. Birdwatchers will get genuine value here; families with restless kids might find it a bit low-key. Best visited during migration periods or breeding season when there's something happening on the water.