Earls Colne Library

The library sits right in the heart of Earls Colne, a small Essex market town just south of Halstead, and it's the sort of place that tells you quite a bit about how communities actually work. It's not going to blow your mind, but it serves its purpose well - a proper local library with the usual stock of books, computers for public use, and community notice boards plastered with what's on locally. You'll find it useful if you're staying in one of the nearby glamping spots - Gosfield Lake Resort is just five miles away, and you might fancy an hour hunting for something to read or letting the kids loose on the children's section while you're based in the area. The staff tend to be helpful, and there's usually a bit of life to the place, especially when local clubs are using the meeting rooms. It won't take more than an afternoon to explore properly, and it's free to use as long as you're after browsing rather than borrowing (membership rules vary). The real draw is that it's genuinely useful during a park holiday in Essex - the kind of place you pop into if the weather turns or you need to charge your phone. Worth knowing about rather than worth planning a trip around, but perfectly pleasant for a quick stop when you're staying at Teybrook Orchard or one of the other sites nearby.