Bowers & Pitsea FC

Football grounds don't usually make it onto holiday itineraries, but Bowers & Pitsea FC is worth knowing about if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites around Billericay. It's a proper local club - the sort of place where fans actually know each other's names and the tea tastes like it was made in 1987. The ground itself sits in Pitsea, just outside Billericay, and unless you're a serious non-league football enthusiast or the kids are obsessed with the sport, it won't occupy more than a couple of hours of your time.

What makes it work is the authenticity. You won't find corporate hospitality or overpriced burgers here - this is grassroots football as it should be. If there's a match on during your stay at Barleylands or Essex Glamping, and you fancy seeing proper community sport in action, it's a genuine local experience. The atmosphere tends to be friendly, the admission shouldn't break the bank, and families are welcome at most fixtures.

Timing-wise, check the fixture list before you book. A weekend match would be the best bet, and you'd want to allow maybe an hour to settle in before kick-off. It's not a stadium tour attraction - you come for the match, not the building. Real football fans will appreciate being among actual supporters rather than tourists. For everyone else, it's a nice way to tick a local experience without wandering into museum territory. Beats sitting in the caravan when the weather's iffy.