Alton Water Sports Centre

One of Anglian Water’s many reservoirs, Alton Water, between Ipswich and Colchester, is a great place for a wet or dry day out. Park your car in the pay-and-display and cycle the eight miles around the reservoir’s edge. There’s a hire shop offering everything from bicycles to tandems and buggies. The route is mostly off road though there are a few quiet streets to navigate along the way.

For those who like to get their feet wet, the water sports’ Centre has everything. Canoeing, windsurfing and sailing are just some of what’s on offer and, with lifejackets available for all ages and sizes, even very little ones can take part with proper supervision. Sailing schools run in the summer holidays.

An on-site shop sells a fairly basic range of ice creams and drinks but if you are intending to spend a whole day there, take a picnic and enjoy the grassy banks whilst watching other visitors’ energetic attempts to conquer the water.