Flying Fortress Dry Gulcher

The Flying Fortress Dry Gulcher sits just outside Braintree, a rather unexpected slice of American Wild West theatricality plonked into the Essex countryside. It's a themed attraction built around a mock frontier town, complete with saloon buildings and desert scenery - the sort of place that makes you do a double-take when you round the corner.

What you're actually getting is a walk-through experience of this constructed western landscape. The appeal lies entirely in how daft and wonderfully British it all is - a theme park ride without the rides. Kids might spend 45 minutes to an hour poking about the buildings and taking photos. Adults tend to visit with a sense of ironic nostalgia, especially if they remember it from childhood trips.

The reality check: it's not going to keep anyone entertained for a full afternoon. The novelty wears off fairly quickly once you've seen the main structures. Admission details are tricky to pin down - best to ring ahead or check locally in Braintree before making the trip.

If you're basing yourself at Gosfield Lake Resort or one of the other nearby campsites, it works as a quirky morning detour rather than a destination in itself. The area has plenty of proper walks and period properties if you want something more substantial. Worth the diversion if you're already in the area and fancy something a bit different, but don't rearrange your whole holiday around it.