Hamiltons Fitness Centre

Based near Colchester, Hamiltons Fitness Centre is a proper working gym - the sort of place locals actually use rather than a tourist attraction you'd schedule into a holiday. That said, if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Ardleigh or Rushbanks Farm and fancy keeping up with your routine, it's your straightforward option.

The facility offers the usual gym kit - weights, cardio machines, classes if that's your thing. Opening hours are reasonable for a weekday visitor (06:00 to 22:00 Monday through Thursday), though weekends are shorter affairs, closing at 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday. You'll want to ring ahead or check their website to confirm pricing and whether day passes are available for holiday guests, as that detail wasn't clear.

This isn't the sort of place you'd build a holiday around, frankly. But if you're camped within striking distance and fancy a proper workout rather than a leisurely walk around Colchester Country Park, it does the job. The location means it's accessible from most of the local parks without too much faffing about. Realistically, you're looking at an hour to ninety minutes if you're doing more than a quick session. Early morning visits on weekdays seem to be the quietest time, which beats battling a crowded gym on holiday.