Ramblers Stables

Colchester (10 minutes’ drive) has seen some action over centuries. It was the capital of Roman Britain, and bits of Roman wall are still standing. The Norman-era Colchester Castle is built over a Roman temple and you can tour the original vaults, and there are even a couple of buildings with gunshot holes from the English Civil War. The kids may well clamour for the beach, so pile in the car and head for Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze (both 50 minutes), or the Blue Flag beach at Dovercourt (40 minutes). Clacton-on-Sea (45 minutes) also has a pier lined with helter skelters and old-fashioned amusement arcades to keep everybody happy. Colchester Zoo (15 minutes) has Big Five animals as well as rarer species like sun bears and spider monkeys, plus keeper talks to entrance the kids. Afterwards they can fill up on good old jam sarnies at Tiptree Tea Room, Museum and Jam Shop (30 minutes).