Basildon Tennis Club

Basildon Tennis Club is a proper working sports facility in Essex, not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense, but if you're staying at Barleylands Campsite or one of the other local parks and you fancy a game, it's worth knowing about. The club operates courts for members and visitors, and the standard setup you'd expect from a British tennis venue - well-maintained hard courts, coaching available, and the usual clubhouse facilities.

Really, this is for people who want to actually play rather than spectate. If you're a tennis player staying in the area for a week or two, checking whether they take casual bookings could save you from going stir-crazy. The club sits near Billericay, which is about as Essex as it gets - worth a browse for shops and lunch spots if you're passing through.

For families doing the campsite circuit between Barleylands and Stuarts Wood, it's not a destination in itself. Kids who play tennis might get an hour's entertainment; everyone else will find the local parks more rewarding. Phone ahead to check visitor rates and court availability - opening hours and admission aren't published online, which is typical for membership clubs. Worth a call if tennis is your thing, but don't detour specially.