Elmley Nature Reserve

Tucked away in a remote corner of Kent, it would be fair to call Elmley Nature Reserve one of southern England's hidden gems – a seemingly endless expanse of sky and water that's home to reeds and tidal streams, wildfowl and waders, and feels almost entirely untouched by human hand. It's also a farm, and the only family-owned and managed National Nature Reserve in the UK, run by Georgina and Gareth Fulton, which makes it doubly special that you can actually stay overnight, either in Kingshill Farmhouse or Elmley Cottage – or better still, in its very comfortable glamping accommodation that put you right in touch with the Great Outdoors.

The glamping options range from 8 handcrafted shepherd's huts and cabins to 10 bell tents dotted across various woodland and meadow settings during the summer months. These are well spaced out, very cosy, and can comfortably sleep 2-4 people. Each comes with a private fire pit, and the tents share a communal camp kitchen for keen outdoor cooks. Although, it's worth remembering that for both tent- and hut-dwellers, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be delivered to your door – just one of the many benefits of glamping at Elmley!

The huts are available all year round and extremely comfortable: they can easily sleep 2 adults, though some are a bit larger and could accommodate 2 young children too. Some are purpose-built with large and well-positioned windows providing wonderful views over the nature reserve: 'Vanellus' is a tin hut with a long, floor-to-ceiling glass panel, while 'The Roost', 'The Ferryman’s', 'The Saltbox' and 'The Damson' are modern huts with windows that make up the entire reserve-facing wall, so you can lie in bed and take in the surrounding nature while enjoying the lovingly decorated interior and comfy beds. Located loosely around the farm's main buildings, each hut has a cosy, hideaway feel with its own space and everything you need inside to feel wonderfully self-sufficient. The two furthest shepherd's huts ('Little Owl' and 'Samphire') are the most basic, though still very comfy with piping hot, gas-powered en-suite showers, flushing toilets and woodburning stoves, and the others come complete with electricity and outside bathtubs. All huts have simple cooking facilities inside the hut or camp kitchens outside, along with fire pits for barbecues. Hampers can be delivered, and all huts and cabins have tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Just a short walk away is The Linhay, a lovely rustic barn with comfortable seating, games, books and a wood burner. You could chill out here very happily if the weather is bad, but it would be a shame not to take advantage of everything else the location has to offer, such as spotting wading birds from one of the hides. As one of the most significant wildlife sites in the UK, we recommend taking one of their tours or wildlife experiences led by expert guides, either on foot or safari style in a 4x4. Home to one of England's largest lapwing populations, you're also likely to see curlews, short-eared owls, herons and much more. On top of that, the helpful team is on hand to offer recommendations and organise activities, including well-being treatments. Alternatively, simply hide away in the romantic setting of your accommodation as you watch the sun rise through the dawn mist and drift off to sleep as the owls hoot softly across the marshes.