YWT Barmby-on-the-Marsh Wetlands

The Humber estuary doesn't get the attention it deserves. Barmby-on-the-Marsh is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust site that sits bang on this tidal marshland, and it's genuinely one of the better spots in the region for watching birds without the crowds you'd get elsewhere.

You're looking at wetland proper here - reedbeds, pools, and open water where you can actually see waders and wildfowl doing their thing. There's a viewing tower that gives you proper height to scan across the reserve, and the walking trails are straightforward enough that you don't need fell boots. Winter's the busy time for visiting when migrating birds arrive in serious numbers, but spring brings breeding activity if you know what to look for.

Bring binoculars. Seriously, half an hour with the naked eye and you'll miss most of it. Photographers do well here too - the light across the marshes is decent, especially early morning.

Park your caravan at Apple Blossom just a few miles away near Goole and you've got easy access. It's not dramatic scenery like the coastal reserves, and the walks won't knacker you out, so it works best for keen birdwatchers and nature photographers rather than families after a day out. That said, if you're into wetland ecology or just want something quiet and genuinely wild feeling, it's well worth the detour. Allow a couple of hours minimum to do it justice.