The Sea is Calling
It’s a little known fact, but Essex has some 350 miles of coastline just itching to be discovered. Blue Flag sandy beaches and fun-filled resorts, quiet creeks and salt marshes are ideal for a multitude of experiences; from seal spotting to kayaking, bird watching and sailing. The Essex shores and coastal towns come alive during the summer season with colourful sails of boats cruising to their first regatta brightening up every visible corner of the North Sea. Take a relaxing trip on a Thames Sailing Barge or indulge in some native oysters. To fully experience this diverse coastline, book a seal cruise or a bird watching trip on one of the regular summer outings.
The sea is calling
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Blue Flag beaches
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 sailing by.
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.
