Clacton-on-Sea Beach

Seaside resorts don’t get much more iconic than Clacton. By the time the 1950s and ’60s came along, this was the beachside place to be seen, with families pouring in from London and the southeast to soak up the sun.

While other English resort towns faded, flaked and closed their doors, Clacton has managed to keep up with the times – and today, it’s still as lively and entertaining as ever and the biggest town on the Essex Sunshine Coast. A bustling but affordable seaside resort, it boasts various entertainment facilities, including a pleasure pier, arcades, the Princes and the West Cliff Theatres, a golf course, seafront walks, water sports, and an airfield offering pleasure flights.

The main shopping area contains many of the more familiar national chains, independent stores, and various eateries to tantalise your taste buds, which is a common theme throughout the area. An eclectic annual events programme includes fetes, fairs, carnivals and the two-day annual Clacton Airshow.