Free trails at nature reserves this summer

With the summer holidays in full swing, walks across scenic Lincolnshire offer a good, cost-free option to keep children entertained.

Throughout August up until 6 September, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has varied summer strolls that can be taken around its reserves.

The trust also has themed trails, with an 'eye spy' trail and hunts for butterflies, wildflowers, and tadpoles.

From 08:30 to 17:00 BST every day, visitors can get leaflets from the rack on the wall of Snipe Dales Country Park and Nature Reserve's main building.

Children can travel along the boards of the butterfly trail and use them to answers prompted questions in the leaflet.

It follows a surfaced but uneven path that can be steep in places and is located within the country park area of the reserve.

Dogs on leads can also join. Parking is £1, with people asked to pay cash at the machine.

From 10:00 to 16:00 every day, trail leaflets are available at the Seascape Cafe at the North Sea Observatory in Chapel St Leonards.

Head north along the top of the beach, following a sign for the England Coast Path, which is on soft sand for the first 900 metres.

Follow the path to the inland side of the dunes, which will take you through Chapel Six Marshes and Wolla Bank car parks before you reach the butterfly board at the new hide looking over Anderby Marsh nature reserve.

Dogs on leads are welcome.

The Eye Spy Trail at Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve is open at all times and gets walkers to solve a quiz.

It is located on the circular walk of about 1.2 miles (2km), with a lakeside view between the trees, as well as areas of woodland.

The reserve has a free car park with dogs able to be walked on the river bank but not within the reserve.

From 10:00 till 16:00 each day, the Wildflower Trail at Whisby Nature Park in Lincoln has eight boards that visitors can seek out.

Leaflets are available in the visitor centre before embarking on a 1.2-mile (2km) circular walk around Thorpe Lake.

The path is level and therefore suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, with dogs welcome on the route.

Another wildflower trail in Lincolnshire is located at Banovallum House, the headquarters of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Leaflets are available at the fence by the front door every day from 09:00 to 17:00, with a trail including gravel and grass paths that may be uneven in places.

No dogs are allowed and car parking and public toilets are available in the town centre.

From 10:00 till 16:00 each day, you can park in the free visitor centre car park, collect a trail leaflet from upstairs, then embark on the tadpole trail.

It is a short route around the reserve from the boardwalk through the reeds to the fairy dell in the woodland.

Dogs are allowed inside but not on the trail.

The visitor centre, which has toilets, a cafe and gift shop, is open Wednesday to Sunday and bank holidays, with the leaflets opposite the main building entrance at other times.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices