Days out around Clacton area

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Hi All,

My wife booked us on a bit of a break away with some friends near to Clacton. However, she's had to drop out now and as such it's just me and my sons going, ages 7 and 6.

Any suggestions for days out in the area to keep 2 young boys happy would be greatly appreciated. No restrictions based on what friends kids want to do - we do our own thing during the day and meet up for evening meal and drinks then.

Don't mind driving out for an hour/90 mins or so if needs be.

Thanks

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Thanks for the responses.

Brooklands estate? I'm guessing that's not some historic National Trust place with a car museum round the back??

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Beaches sound good too.

Any particularly quiet/hidden away ones?

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Thanks again

Some good ideas! Will get the planning later on.

Bit disappointed there's not a big Ford museum at Dagenham!

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Hi All,

Thanks for all the responses.

Arrived back from Essex at weekend.

Must say that i was pleasantly surprised. Not that i expected bad - but stereotypes had perhaps made me feel that Essex wasn't as rural and green as i found it to be.

Had some nice days out with the kids, went to:

- Kelvedon Hatch secret nuclear bunker
- Hanningfield Reservoir Wildlife walk - really nice little walk, great for young children as not too far and had kids activities on with it being school hols
- Colchester & Colchester Castle - Thought castle was nice enough but my kids were perhaps too young to fully appreciate it and the artefacts shown
- Frinton on Sea
- Walton on Sea and the Naze/tower
- Clacton (Pavillion was decent enough to get us 15 mins or so out of the sun!).

All in all, a good break! Thanks.

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V8mate said:

You're a good dad!

Not when they asked for yet another quid for the arcade!!

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TCEvo said:

Interesting what you say about the county - common perception. A13 corridor / Thames Gateway area aside Essex is very green.

Yeah, when anyone asked where i was going and i said Essex, it was as if i was going on holiday to an industrial estate. Nice though - some really nice little villages and really historic/quaint places.