Wild-Mouse Coaster

Sharp turns and sudden drops make this compact coaster at Clacton Pier a proper white-knuckle ride despite its modest size. The Wild Mouse might look tame from ground level, but once you're strapped in, those hairpin bends will have you gripping the safety bar as the little car lurches around corners that feel impossibly tight.

Families with older kids will get the biggest kick out of this one - it's too intense for little ones but not quite scary enough to put off nervous adults. The ride lasts just over a minute, but it packs plenty of thrills into that short burst. Best to tackle it on a weekday if possible, as queues can get properly long during summer holidays.

What makes the Wild Mouse special is how it catches you off guard. Those gentle climbs lull you into thinking it's going to be a gentle affair, then suddenly you're careering around a bend that feels like the car might actually fly off the track. It won't, of course, but your stomach doesn't know that.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Parkdean's Valley Farm or Highfield Grange, this is well worth building into a day trip to Clacton-on-Sea. The pier has plenty of other attractions too, so you can easily fill an afternoon here.