The Edge of Africa

You'll find giraffes, zebras and big cats roaming across this Essex zoo just outside Colchester, which lets you get surprisingly close to African wildlife without the long-haul flight. The Edge of Africa takes a different approach to the standard zoo layout - animals are given proper space rather than cramped enclosures, and there's a real focus on conservation work happening behind the scenes.

Walking the grounds takes a good three to four hours if you're taking it seriously, which families with younger kids should factor in. The giraffe feeding section tends to be the highlight - watching a giraffe's enormous tongue curl around food from your palm never gets old, no matter your age. There's decent educational stuff woven throughout if you can be bothered reading the boards, though some areas feel a bit dated.

It's free entry, which is brilliant value, though donations are pushed fairly hard. Peak season weekends get rammed with school parties, so a weekday visit in spring or autumn works better if you want to actually see the animals rather than the backs of other people's heads.

If you're staying at Colchester Country Park just 1.3 miles away, this works well as a half-day trip alongside exploring Colchester's Roman heritage. It's not a full-day draw on its own, but combined with Ardleigh Caravan Park or any of the other sites nearby, it fits sensibly into a wider Essex holiday. Realistic expectation: solid family outing, not a destination in itself.