The Discovery Coast....where will inspiration take you today?

There are many hidden treasures to be found, with quiet cliff top walks, seductive rugged coves sheltered from the weather, right through to the lengthy stretches of beautiful beaches. Less well know is the quieter side of the coast where ports steeped in heritage, such as Harwich, can be found. Maldon and nearby Mersea Island have been described as the ‘New Brittany'. You can sample famous seafood in rustic family run restaurants such as the Company Shed, serving fresher than fresh world famous Colchester Oysters, whilst watching the boats bobbing in the water.

Get a sense of true maritime Essex by taking a trip on one of the many Thames Sailing Barges moored at Maldon. Alternatively, visit the coastal towns of Burnham-on-Crouch, often called the Cowes of the East, and Brightlingsea that come alive with yachts during the boating season.

The Maritime Essex tour has been created to give visitors a guide to some of the best attractions along the coast. It's an eight point route, starting at Harwich and finishing at Leigh-on-Sea. Delights on this tour include Walton-on-the-Naze, which is an early Victorian seaside resort, where you can visit the second longest pleasure pier in the country. For a more sedate pace visit Frinton-on-Sea famed for its Art Deco buildings. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the attractive seafront, take in the vistas of the great North Sea and watch the more adventurous showing off their kite-boarding skills.