Martello Beach Holiday Park

Fancy a day out? Make nearby Clacton-on-Sea (10 minutes' drive) your first port of call, for the Victorian pier crammed with dodgems, amusements and fairground rides, another great sandy beach, pretty seafront gardens, and plenty of places to grab some fish and chips. Another place that’s well worth a trip is Colchester (half an hour): Britain's oldest recorded town is littered with Roman remains to wander around, and it's also got a Norman castle and the fab Firstsite contemporary art gallery to peruse. The town's excellent zoo is a must for those who've brought the bairns on a break, and there's also a trampoline park, roller rink and adventure golf centre to help them burn off any excess energy. Those seeking something a little less energetic may like to take a wander through the Beth Chatto Gardens (25 minutes), Hamford Water National Nature Reserve (half an hour) or the Essex Wildlife Trust's bird and butterfly sanctuary at Fingringhoe Wick (45 minutes).