Wyvernwood

There's a reason Wyvernwood sits on the Essex coast just outside Clacton-on-Sea - it's got genuine pulling power for anyone interested in what this stretch of coastline was really about. The landmark itself is properly historical, and locals will point you towards it without hesitation. The walk takes about twenty minutes from the town centre, which is fine if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Oaklands or Haven Orchards Holiday Village.

What you're looking at is a slice of Essex's past that most tourists miss. The setting's worth the trip on its own - views across the water and back towards the town that remind you why people chose to live here in the first place. It's the sort of spot where you can actually feel the weather changing and see why this particular stretch mattered historically.

Families with older kids will find it interesting rather than thrilling - there's a story here, but you won't get an hour's entertainment out of it unless you're genuinely into local history. Walkers stopping between Parkdean Resorts Weeley Bridge Holiday Park and Mersea Island Holiday Park will find it a natural waypoint rather than a destination in itself. The practical details are a bit fuzzy - opening hours and admission fees aren't clearly advertised - so ring ahead or ask at your holiday park before you head out. Spring and autumn are decent times to visit, when the weather's clear enough to see properly and the crowds are thin.