Walton Backwaters

The Backwaters around Walton on the Naze are one of those places that doesn't announce itself loudly, which is precisely why they're worth exploring. Essentially a network of tidal creeks, marshes and shallow waterways that cut through the Essex coast, they're best experienced from the water itself - by kayak, small boat or even just a careful walk along the accessible paths when the tide allows.

What makes them special isn't any single viewpoint but the whole landscape: reedy channels reflecting grey skies, birdlife that actually rewards patient watching, and a genuine sense of being somewhere proper wild and untamed. This is where nature still runs the show. You'll spot avocets, little egrets and terns if you time it right, plus the occasional seal hauled out on a mudbank.

For serious birdwatchers and photographers, the Backwaters repay time and effort. Families with older kids who enjoy wildlife spotting get more from it than toddlers would. The best approach is hiring a small boat or joining a guided paddle rather than trying to make sense of it all from the shore. Allow a half-day minimum, ideally a full day if you're messing about on the water.

Staying at Parkdean Resorts Naze Marine Holiday Park puts you within walking distance - it's barely half a mile away - making it stupidly convenient for combining a park break with proper outdoor exploration. The Backwaters aren't dramatic or Instagram-obvious, but they're the genuine article.