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Things to do in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Marine Parade East Clacton
Marine Parade, East Clacton © Alvin Leong via Flickr

The seaside town of Clacton-on -Sea was once upon a time a buzzing holiday hotspot on the East Anglian Essex coast.

Times change however, and although no longer the bustling town of the 50s and 60s there is still plenty here to attract holiday makers and people who wish a change of lifestyle to a slower pace.

The Pier Clacton on Sea
The Pier © Alvin Leong via Flickr

The Town Centre

The town centre itself has undergone a recent facelift and now plays host to a modern water feature on the new town square (or plaza as town councillors prefer it to be called).

High Street Clacton
High Street © Alvin Leong via Flickr

The water feature itself is a magnet for children who can splash through it on hot sunny days.

Within the town there are the usual high street shops and charity shops mixed in with independent retailers offering everything from seaside goodies to Irish music.

Seafront Gardens Clacton
Seafront Gardens © Roland Turner via Flickr

There are plenty of eateries and pubs to choose from.

Seafront Attractions

A few minutes walk from the square will bring you to the seafront and the Pier.

There is a sandy beach beside the pier and it is well serviced by various food & drink outlets.

Holland Road Clacton
Holland Road © Alvin Leong via Flickr

Clacton tends to have a gentle sea that laps against the shore making it safe for supervised children.

The pier itself has an assortment of rides and attractions including a waltzer, fortune teller, arcades and a seaquarium which is home to a wide variety of fishes from both our coastline and more tropical waters.

Marine Parade East Clacton
Marine Parade, East Clacton © Alvin Leong via Flickr

Things to See Nearby

From the seafront you can catch a small train along to Holland-on-Sea where you can walk along the promenade to the country park.

Clacton on Sea Station
Clacton on Sea Station © Joshua Brown via Flickr

In the other direction you come to the villages of Jaywick with its long sandy beach, St Osyth and Brightlingsea all worth a visit.

House prices tend to be quite reasonable around the Clacton area and there is both good shopping and plenty of job opportunities in both Colchester and Ipswich.

Description by Kim Tyrrell

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