Old Buck is nice, and watch out for the enormous mast at Tacolneston as well as the MATZes.
Southend is different - danger areas to the East, a pier aimed straight at the airfield, and a pretty good bacon sarnie in the caff. Very friendly staff in the FBO. Landing fee's a bit higher though - £17-ish, but you do get NDB, ILS, Approach and Tower.