The Wheel Experience

Sixty metres above Clacton-on-Sea's seafront, this giant observation wheel gives you proper views across the Essex coast and beyond on a clear day. The ride takes about 12 minutes to complete a full rotation, slow enough to spot landmarks but quick enough that restless kids won't lose interest. On a good day you can see right across the Thames Estuary to Kent, though Essex isn't exactly known for its dramatic vistas so don't expect Alpine panoramas. The enclosed gondolas are comfortable enough, though they do feel a bit cramped with a full family aboard. It's definitely more impressive at dusk when Clacton's lights start twinkling below, assuming you time it right. Families staying at nearby holiday parks like Valley Farm or Highfield Grange will find it makes a decent evening activity after a day on the beach. The wheel dominates Clacton's modest skyline, so you can't miss it from the seafront. Whether it's worth the likely ticket price depends on how much you enjoy a bird's-eye view of a traditional British seaside resort - pleasant enough, but hardly breathtaking.