Places to visit 

The Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre is the gateway to the Egleton Nature Reserve, which makes up the larger part of Rutland Water Nature Reserve. A network of lagoons and wetlands, joined by meadows, hedgerows and woodlands, every inch of this beautiful place is bursting with wildlife. Not only birds – otters and deer are frequently spotted.

You can spend anything from an hour to a long-weekend exploring. There are over 20 wildlife hides to explore, and both short and long walking routes (go prepared with walking boots or wellies - it can be muddy during wetter weather)

Only 16 miles from Melton, The Great Central Railway is an excellent day out for any photographer. Buying a platform ticket for Loughborough Central gives you access to the trains and engine sheds. Or buy a ticket and spend the day visiting the various stations along the route to Leicester North. Look out for special steam and diesel days during the year which feature intensive timetables, and also themed events such as the 1940s weekend.

You can expect to see gannets, razorbills, kittiwakes, guillimotts and if you are lucky, puffins. Also there are corn buntings, chiffchaff, willow warblers, skylarks and linnets as well as a resident barn owl. If you are lucky you may also spot a perigrine. Well worth a visit. It is easy to get good images of the gannets but a longer lens may be needed to capture some of the other birds on the cliffs.

Only 1 hour 15 minutes from Melton, this butterfly farm provides the butterflies to Twycross Zoo. It is filled with butterflies from Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as insect, amphibian and reptile exibits. it really was wonderful in there but be prepared to be hot.

Not only do you have unusual zoo animals at Yorkshire Wildlife park but the park is also home to lots of wetlands and wildlife. Animal stars are the Polar bears and the 4 big cat species, large spacious enclosures and uninhibited views