Lakeside Theatre

The Lakeside Theatre sits just outside Colchester, offering proper theatrical productions in a venue that actually feels intimate rather than cramped. It's a working theatre - not some heritage tourist trap - so you'll catch contemporary drama, musicals, and comedy depending on what's on during your visit.

What makes it worth knowing about is the setting. The theatre overlooks water, which sounds better than it probably is, but the location does feel removed from the town centre despite being only a few miles away. You're looking at anything from West End transfers to local amateur productions, so check their website before you commit - the quality varies wildly depending on what's scheduled.

It works brilliantly if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Ardleigh Caravan & Camping Park or Colchester Country Park and fancy an evening out without driving far. Families with older children will find it perfectly fine, though if you've got restless under-eights, maybe skip it.

Admission and opening hours aren't straightforward - you'll need to ring them or check online before heading over, as it's only on for performances rather than being a drop-in attraction. Ticket prices will depend entirely on what's showing. Allow two to three hours including a pre-show drink, which is standard.

The area around Colchester has enough going on that you won't feel trapped if the theatre's dark during your stay, but it's a solid option for breaking up a park-based holiday with some indoor entertainment.