Clacton-on-Sea

Just thirteen miles south east of Colchester can be found the quaint, seaside city of Clacton-on-Sea. Six pounds and a forty-minute bus ride will basically get you a Pier 39 or Coney Island experience, only much windier.

 Clacton-on-Sea is the largest town on the Tendring Peninsula, in Essex, England and was founded in 1871. It is a seaside resort that attracted many tourists in the summer months between the 1950s and 1970s, but which like many other British sea-side resorts went into decline as a holiday destination since holidays abroad became more affordable. It is currently more popular as a retirement location these days. 

Besides the fact that the water is brown, Clacton was a pleasant three-hour excursion

The most miniature golf 'course' I've ever seen.