20 Attractions to Explore Near Clacton Pier

The sandy beach of Jaywick lies approximately mid-way between Clacton-on-Sea and Colne Point. Whilst not quiet by any stretch of the imagination it is never as busy as Clacton. This stretch of the coastline features a number of Martello towers. These small round forts that were built during the 19th century to defend against attack from across the English Channel.

A beautiful and gently shelving sandy beach noted for its cleanliness and gentility, the area places special emphasis on the relaxed family fun at the seaside. Enjoy walks along the extensive greensward or take a short walk into the town center with its full range of shopping amenities. One of the ideal locations to relax and also you can have a bath here.

A beautiful Blue Flag Award beach located near Brightlingsea in Essex. Formerly an important fishing and shipbuilding area, Brightlingsea is now a haven for yachting. A popular resort with plenty of amenities. A range of sports and leisure activities are available along the promenade and sailing barges offer pleasure trips to visitors.

The 3rd longest pier in the UK at over half a mile long, Walton Pier is by far the longest going out into the open sea. It is ideal for sea fishing and for so many other activities. The original 150ft pier was built at Walton-on-the-Naze in 1830, one of the earliest in the country, for landing goods and passengers on steamers to Walton, a very popular holiday destination.

A beautiful white sand beach that is also home to the second-longest pier in Great Britain. As a bonus sand here is the perfect consistency for building sandcastles making it a popular choice with the kids. The beautiful Naze cliffs and national nature reserve provide the perfect opportunity for walking and bird watching.

Cudmore Grove Country Park is a beautiful nature reserve on Mersea Island which covers over 102 acres. Nestled on the coast where the Colne Estuary meets the Blackwater Estuary, you'll find impressive views across the park and estuaries, sandy beaches and salt marsh, rolling grasslands and meadows buzzing with wildlife.

Hamford Water is a coastal bay on the Essex coast with habitats that include mudflats, marsh, and sands. The cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze form one of the finest geological sites in Britain and for that reason are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The coastal grasslands above the salt marshes also support one of Britain's rarest plants ' sea hog's fennel.

The Naze is a unique coastal landscape of outstanding geological and biological importance. As the most easterly peninsula in Essex it is an important site for migrating birds and boasts a number of different habitats, both terrestrial and marine. It is important for migrating birds and it has a small nature reserve.

The Naze Tower is an historic 86ft landmark dramatically situated on the cliffs at the Naze. Built by Trinity House in 1720 this octagonal navigation tower has played an important role in maritime history and is grade II* listed, as the only building of its type and era in the country. Today it offers visitors a unique experience of heritage and culture that is fun for all ages.

One of the most restful and spiritual buildings in the country which is the oldest church in England built by St Cedd in 654ad. The Chapel is used regularly by the nearby Othona Community, and is presently only open on Thursdays and Sundays for private prayer.

The beach is a mix of sand, stones, and shells. It can be a bit sharp on your feet but it’s not awful. Beach/water shoes may be a good idea just to make it a little more comfortable! The sea is also very shallow, making it good for little kids as it doesn’t suddenly get deep. One of the beautiful locations where you can spend a good time with your loved ones.

A beautiful and Picturesque watermill with a working waterwheel. It was built as a fishing lodge in 1591, converted to a fulling mill around 1640 and then converted to a corn mill in about 1840, which continued working until the 1930s. It is well worth a visit for all the family. The working waterwheel and the grounds give plenty of scope for family fun. The grounds have a pond, wetlands and woods and are home to a variety of wildlife including birds, bats, waterfowl, bugs, and beetles.

A majestic fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. It is 200 feet in diameter, is surrounded by a deep ditch and can only be entered by one removable drawbridge. Part of the fort is now used as a military museum and battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months. The fort was restored by the Harwich Society as a voluntary project.

Blackwater Estuary is the largest estuary in Essex and a great place to get a real sense of coastal wilderness. The reserve also supports a number of nationally-important plant and invertebrate species, including 24 species of butterfly, along with dragon and damselflies, most notably the rare emerald damselfly

Abberton Reservoir is a wetland site of international importance for wildfowl. It is a pumped-storage reservoir, with water pumped into it from the River Stour. It lies 6 km southwest of Colchester near the village of Layer de la Haye. It lies close to east-coast migration routes and, with its surrounding envelope of pasture and tree plantations, is a welcome sight to tired birds.

Landguard Fort is the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England in 1667 and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The fort was considered part of Essex in the 18th and 19th centuries; births and deaths within the garrison were recorded as 'Landguard Fort, Essex'. It was manned through both World Wars and played an important anti-aircraft role during the Second World War. In 1951 two of the old gun casemates were converted into a 'Cold War' control room. The fort was disarmed a

It was one of the first religious houses in England to adopt Augustinian rule built between 1093 and 1100. The site remains under the care of English Heritage and the modestly sized grounds are free to explore, with benches and grassland providing opportunities for picnics.

Firstsite is the East of England's contemporary visual arts organization. From its spectacular golden building designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, Firstsite presents a varied and challenging program of exhibitions, commissions, residencies, and screenings, in a broad range of media and art forms, by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

Hollytrees Museum is located in the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. This attractive Georgian town house, dating from 1718 houses the town's social history museum, showcasing three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts. This Museum provides a great insight to how life in Colchester has evolved since the house was built.

Colchester Castle Park is situated to the northeast of Colchester Town Centre and is divided into the Upper Park and Lower Park by the Roman Wall that crosses through it east to west. The park not only encompasses much of Colchester's rich heritage within its boundaries but is much loved and used as a part of present-day life. the park includes historical sites including the Roman Wall, Victorian Bandstand, and the Castle itself. Hollytrees Museum sits within its grounds and tells a social histo