Little Hut By The Sea #467 #166 #280

You'll spot it before you realise what you're looking at - a solitary wooden structure perched on the Essex coastline near Walton on the Naze, weathered by salt spray and utterly unpretentious. The Little Hut By The Sea is exactly what the name suggests: a tiny shelter that's become something of a landmark for anyone walking the foreshore. It's the kind of place that makes you stop and think about who built it and why, which is half the appeal.

There's not much to do here in the traditional sense. You're not paying admission or booking a time slot. What you get is a brief moment of peace, a photo opportunity if you're that way inclined, and a decent vantage point across the water. It works particularly well as a waypoint on a longer coastal walk rather than a destination in itself. You could be here five minutes or thirty depending on whether the light's good and if you fancy sitting for a bit.

Families with young walkers might appreciate it as a halfway rest spot, though don't expect facilities. If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Naze Marine Holiday Park just 2 miles away, it's a straightforward walk worth adding to your itinerary. Come when the weather's decent and the tide's out - you'll need the beach access to reach it properly. It's the sort of landmark that rewards those willing to explore the quieter bits of the Essex coast rather than the busier stretches.