The Pretty Thing

Some rather roomy beaches are also near this park, with the sandy six-mile stretch at Clacton-on-Sea (about 10 minutes’ drive) being a particularly enticing spot for walks with the family and the mutt. Travel five minutes further by car to the pier and its amusements, restaurants and theatre if the weather’s not up to scratch. More coastal towns like Frinton-on-Sea with its sandy beach and golfing plus Walton-on-the-Naze for the pier and museums are 20 minutes away; if seaside sauntering has you hankering after an afternoon of angling then check in with staff back on site about fishing around five minutes’ drive from the park. Inland towns within close proximity include Colchester for its spectacular castle, gardens and zoo (half an hour’s drive), while National Trust sites such as Bourne Mill and Flatford – also around 30 minutes in the car – are your go-to places for ace architecture from times gone by.