Town Park Paddling Pool

There's something about a proper lido that gets under your skin, even one that's seen better days. Town Park Paddling Pool in Sawbridgeworth sits in the heart of the local green space, offering a straightforward splash about for young children and a nostalgic dip into how seaside fun used to work away from the coast. The pool itself is shallow and manageable for toddlers, with the surrounding park giving you plenty of space to spread out with a picnic if the weather plays ball.

It's genuinely a local spot rather than a destination attraction - the kind of place where you'll bump into families from the town rather than coachloads of tourists. That's part of its charm, really. Kids will get a couple of hours' worth of entertainment from the water and the open space, but this isn't the sort of outing you'd plan a whole day around unless you're already committed to the area. The grass banks are useful for sunbathing between swims, and the park setting means older siblings won't be completely bored.

If you're staying at Toad Abode or The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake, both within easy reach, this works perfectly as a daytime filler during the school holidays. On hot days it fills up quickly with locals, so arriving early beats fighting for deck space. Don't expect bells and whistles - it's functional, free or nearly so, and does exactly what it says on the tin.