Havengore Maypole

A wooden maypole stands alone on the Essex marshes near Burnham-on-Crouch, a genuinely odd sight if you're expecting the polished attractions of the southeast. You'll find it by the roadside - it's not exactly signposted, and there's no visitor centre or café to soften the experience. This is proper windswept countryside, the kind of place where you hear the reeds rather than a car horn.

The maypole itself is fairly humble. It's been there since 1988, and locals have kept it painted and maintained despite the salt-laden air that makes Essex coastal landmarks hard work. The ribbons are long gone, naturally, but there's something satisfying about the simplicity of it - a single pole marking a spot on the marsh, no pretension whatsoever.

Who gets the most from it? Honestly, it's best suited to walkers doing the longer Essex coastal path rather than as a destination in its own right. You could stand here for five minutes, take a photo, and move on. The surrounding marshland is what matters - it's genuinely beautiful in a bleak sort of way, especially at dawn or late afternoon when the light turns gold.

It's free and accessible 24/7, which costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time. If you're staying at Sea End Country Park or Riverside Village Holiday Park, both within six kilometres, consider a walk out here rather than a dedicated trip. The nearby towns of Burnham-on-Crouch offer far more substantial reasons to visit. This is a nice footnote to a proper Essex break, not the main event.