Wimbish Hall Cabins

Have a potter around pretty Saffron Walden (10 minutes’ drive), with its medieval cottages and brightly painted half-timbered Tudor houses, unusual indie shops and Victorian gardens for when you need a breather. There’s more history in Cambridge (40 minutes), with its ancient soft-stone university colleges, punting on the River Cam and arty attractions – maybe make time to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle’s Yard. On holiday with the kids? Check out the sea lion displays, big cats and chimps at Colchester Zoo, or encounter life-size animatronic dinosaurs at Paradise Wildlife Park (both 55 minutes). Combine family strolls in Capability Brown-designed gardens with a tour of the Victorian-era kitchens and dairy at Audley End House and Gardens (40 minutes), and then treat well-behaved youngsters to a ride on Audley End Miniature Train (15 minutes). Head off any groans if you hit a rainy day by making for the trampolines at Jump Street Chelmsford (45 minutes), or take a couple of turns around the rink at Cambridge Ice Arena (40 minutes).