Go Karts

Racing round tight corners with the engine screaming at full throttle - this go-kart track near Clacton-on-Sea delivers proper adrenaline rushes for anyone old enough to reach the pedals. The outdoor circuit winds through a decent layout with enough twists and elevation changes to keep things interesting, though don't expect Brands Hatch.

Kids absolutely love it here, naturally. The smaller karts handle well enough for beginners while still giving that proper racing feeling when you nail the racing line through the chicane. Adults get surprisingly competitive too - I've seen families turn into fierce rivals over who posts the fastest lap time.

Location-wise, it's perfectly placed for a quick detour from the holiday parks scattered around this bit of Essex coast. Valley Farm and Highfield Grange are both under two miles away, making it an easy afternoon escape when the kids need burning out before dinner. The track gets busy during school holidays, so arriving early or later in the day tends to mean shorter queues.

Honestly, it's not going to win awards for sophistication, but sometimes you just want to go fast and turn left. Twenty minutes of wheel-to-wheel action usually leaves everyone grinning like idiots and arguing about who's the real family champion. Worth the petrol money if you're staying nearby.