Burrsville Park Meadows

Wild flowers carpet these grasslands from spring through summer, creating one of Essex's more rewarding spots for a proper countryside walk. Burrsville Park Meadows spreads across traditional chalk downland just outside Clacton-on-Sea, where ancient field patterns still dictate the landscape.

Birdwatchers will have the best time here. Skylarks nest in the longer grass, while yellowhammers dart between the hedgerows that divide the meadows. The walking is gentle enough for families, though toddlers might struggle with the uneven ground after rain.

Time your visit for late morning when the light catches the grassland at its best. Early summer brings the wildflower display to its peak - ox-eye daisies, field scabious and the occasional bee orchid if you're lucky. The meadows feel properly remote despite being a stone's throw from the holiday park strip along the coast.

Allow a good hour for a circuit of the main meadows, longer if you're keen on spotting wildlife. The paths can get muddy in wet weather, so proper walking boots are worth bringing. Families staying at Parkdean's Highfield Grange or Valley Farm parks will find this a welcome break from the seaside crowds - it's less than ten minutes by car from either site.