Maldon

Salt production made this Essex town famous centuries ago, and you can still taste that briny heritage today. Maldon sits where the River Chelmer meets the Blackwater Estuary, creating a landscape of mudflats, saltmarshes and working quays that feels properly maritime without the tourist trappings of bigger coastal towns.

The town centre runs down from the hilltop high street to Hythe Quay, where the traditional Thames sailing barges still dock. It's a steep walk down, but worth it for the views across the water. Thursday is market day - one of the better ones in this part of Essex.

Osea beach huts sit on the private island reached by causeway at low tide, though access is restricted. Better to explore the public footpaths around the estuary edges. Perry's Wood and Great Wood offer proper woodland walks when you've had enough of the waterside views, while Tiptree Heath provides decent bird watching opportunities.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A414 connects Maldon to Chelmsford in about 20 minutes, while the B1018 links it to Colchester. No railway station, so you'll need a car. Parking can be tight in the town centre, especially on market days.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring the Blackwater Estuary properly. Steeple Bay Holiday Park and Mill Beach Seaside Resort offer coastal positions, while Riverside Village Holiday Park puts you right on the water. The location works well for day trips to Layer Marney Tower or Tiptree Jam Factory too - both about 15 minutes away by car.