Essex's Best Beaches

350 miles of shoreline and a startling assortment of beaches, Essex’s Sunshine Coast begs to be discovered.

The grandest bucket and spade adventures can be found in beloved seaside resorts like Clacton-on-Sea. The huge ribbon of golden sand here is easily amongst Essex’s best, and its cleanliness and gently shelving shores make it ideal for paddling with the little ones. All the British seaside favourites are here too: deck chairs, penny arcades, scrumptious fish and chips…

If you’re looking for a seaside experience with fewer frills, head to Frinton Beach. Framed by pastel-hued beach huts, the sands here are a lovely, quiet place to enjoy simple pleasures like family picnics and sunsets.

For the ultimate seaside escape, visit Mersea Island. Just 8 miles across, its beaches are surprisingly diverse, from the soft sands of historic, peaceful Cudmore Grove Country Park to the traditional seaside delights of West Mersea Beach.