With a diverse mix of seaside fun, stunning landscapes and cultural and heritage experiences, there is always something to do on the Essex Sunshine Coast… we have a thriving and well-established music, theatre and visual arts scene.
Things to see and do...
Visit our What’s On page for information about local events and things to do, places to visit and attractions. Scroll down to find out more!
Visitor Attractions
A host of attractions will keep you occupied on your visit, fun and games at Clacton Pier, adventure golf at Clacton Pavilion fun park.
Walks
Visit our Outdoors page for more info about walking, cycling and outdoor pursuits in the district, including; The Maritime Trail in Historic Harwich, Guided Walks, the Witchfinders Way in Mistley and Manningtree, and the Walton Trails in Walton-on-the-Naze.
Places to Visit
From the Martello Tower in Jaywick and the Mistly Towers to the unique historic landmark the Naze Tower Walton, there are many interesting historical buildings to see in the area.
Yearly Events
A wide range of events take place throughout the year, from the annual Clacton Airshow, to carnivals, village fetes, town fairs, cycling events and water sports.
Nightlife
A buzzing local nightlife includes an assortment of pubs, clubs, restaurants and evening entertainment at one of the local theatres at the Princes Theatre Clacton and West Cliff Theatre Clacton or the Frinton Summer Theatre.
Tourist Information
For ideas for things to see and do call the Tourist Information Centre, Clacton: 01255 686633
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The largest children’s and adult activity centre in Clacton-on-Sea. Amazing Activities have a rang of different events for all ages. To book any activities visit their website. https://www.amazingactivitiesgroup.co.uk/ Read more…
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Brightlingsea Community Lido is a classic 1930s open air swimming pool right on the coast at Brightlingsea, Essex. Run by the community for the community, it is the place for a few hours of family fun or a regular fitness session. The lido has a 50 metre (unheated) outdoor pool plus a smaller pool for toddlers with parents. Changing facilities Read more…
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The Ferry provides not only a means of crossing the creek, but opens up opportunities to explore the attractions and facilities the area has to offer such as Cudmore Grove East Mersea and the East Essex Aviation Society, Point Clear. The custom built ferry boat has a ramp which can be lowered to allow access for wheelchair users and cycles, Read more…
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Brightlingsea is a small town with a big history! The museum, founded by Alf Wakeling in 1989, has taken on a new lease of life and recently moving to a new premises on Station Road. Whether you drop in for half an hour or half a day, there is plenty to explore, engage and excite you, whatever your age or Read more…
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Local cinema dating back to the ’30s, featuring discount ticket prices & mainstream Hollywood films. Read more…
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The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) are funding a seafront heritage trail in Tendring from Jaywick Sands to Holland Haven but also incorporating Clacton town centre to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the founding of Clacton-on-Sea.The trail will cover over 5 miles of beautiful coastline and engage with local schools, elder care settings and wider community to be active and Read more…
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Home to a wide variety of rides and amusements to suit all ages including the UK’s first outdoor waterpark of its kind. Featuring lots of rides for children of all ages, a high rope adventure and loads of inflatable fun among many of the classic favourites enjoyed by our visitors. Admission to the Fun Park is free and rides are Read more…
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Clacton Pier is a hub of entertainment offering a whole host of amusements and attractions. Read more…
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Clacton Pier’s stunning Seaquarium is full of many marine life species, tropical and fresh water fish and many different intriguing creatures. Suitable for all ages and open 6 days a week its something for all the family to enjoy! https://www.clactonpier.co.uk/rides-and-attractions/seaquarium/ Read more…
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An escape room is real-life game in which you solve puzzles and challenges. Situated in Clacton, Walton, and Harwich. Test your skill and try and escape an atmospheric room which is sure to immerse you in the gameplay. Great fun for Everyone Escape rooms are great to play with family members or with a group of friends. They are a Read more…
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Colne Point is an impressive expanse of saltmarsh, creek and shingle, running along the coastline at the mouth of the Colne Estuary Read more…
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Curve Water Sports – Aqua Park, Wakeboarding, Kayaking and Paddleboarding Centre. Specialise in all the fun activities on the water, offering tuition for beginners though to pro level in a full range of sports Wakeboarding, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Swimming, Ringo Rides, and our Aqua Park the inflatable obstacle course! Book an activity of your choice and spend the day Read more…
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For something a little more adventurous why not join the Tour de Tendring Cycle Ride which takes place annually in May where all the family can join in the fun and familiarise themselves with the local area or hire a bike locally and ride off on your own adventures. Cycle Tendring leaflets: Clacton & Great Bentley Brightlingsea & Manningtree Harwich Read more…
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Clacton Kayaks located at Dovercourt Boating Lake, Harwich. Offering an on-site shop where you can book hourly rentals of kayaks and paddleboards, as well as offering daily hire off-site and guided wildlife tours of the local rivers. For more information visit www.dovercourtboatinglake.co.uk Read more…
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The Electric Palace cinema, Harwich, is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its silent screen, original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact. It was designed by the architect Harold Ridley Hooper of Ipswich, Suffolk and opened on 29 November 1911. Read more…
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The local area offers a range of angling opportunities from commercial coarse fisheries, reservoirs and rivers to sea fishing along its vast coastline. Sea fishing is prominent in the river estuaries and off the coast at Hutley’s beach at St Osyth, the piers at Clacton, Frinton, Walton and Dovercourt all producing particularly in winter. To find out more information on Read more…
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Frinton Summer Theatre which is the longest standing repertory theatre in the Country. The McGrigor Hall has been the principal venue for Frinton Summer Theatre for over seventy years. For most of its history, Frinton Summer Theatre has staged seven productions over seven weeks during July and August. Frinton Summer Theatre is a registered charity. Every penny received in ticket Read more…
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Why not try Geocaching, a fun outdoor activity and a good way to explore the local area in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS). Founded in 2000, Geocaching is a unique combination of outdoor recreation and location-based technology. The game’s passionate community of millions of players use the Geocaching® app and GPS-enabled devices to find cleverly hidden Read more…
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This enchanting nature reserve was once a working gravel pit but for the last 50 years has been transformed into a flourishing wildlife haven. Read more…
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Work began on this pier in 1852 and it was opened on the 2nd of July 1853. It was so called because of the ½d toll charged (like a platform ticket). Originally the pier was twice as long as the present one but one half burnt down in 1927. It was a popular departure point for paddle steamers until after Read more…
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Live Arts, Culture , Community Events & space hire run by the Harwich Festival. www.harwichfestival.com/activities Read more…
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Harwich Harbour Ferry connects Suffolk and Essex since 1912. Foot and Bicycle Ferry from Shotley to Harwich and Felixstowe. Read more…
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The Harwich Lifeboat Museum houses the old Clacton offshore lifeboat the “Valentine Wyndham-Quin”, which is a 37ft Oakley class of lifeboat. She was stationed at the Clacton Lifeboat station between 1968 -1984 and completed many honourable services. She was moved from Cromer to Harwich and the old Lifeboat boathouse was re-opened and refurnished to accommodate her. The lifeboat museum now Read more…
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Take a voyage of discovery around the old port of Harwich and discover a wealth of maritime history. Visit www.harwich-society.co.uk for more information. Trail locations include: 1. The Low Lighthouse 2. Treadwheel Crane 3. Lifeboat Museum 4. The Angelgate (Timberfields) 5. The Harwich Mural 6. Electric Palace Cinema 7. The Navyard Wharf 8. Harwich Lifeboat Station 9. Ha’penny Pier & Read more…
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Harwich Redoubt is a circular fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich, Essex from Napoleonic invasion. The Harwich Society opens it to the public. Read more…
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Acres of outdoor fun! A family run business with farming backgrounds, who have created great outdoor fun with lots of green space. Educating children about modern day farming, in a fun environment. The adventure farm is perfect for children aged 3 – 11 years. Read more…
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Holland Haven Country Park is situated on the coast between Clacton-on-Sea and Frinton-on-Sea and is managed to conserve the landscape, coastal grazing marsh and wildlife quality of the area whilst providing for the quiet enjoyment of visitors. In addition to some interesting breeding birds in summer, the Country Park is an important point for Spring and Autumn migrants. The SSSI Read more…
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Take a walk around one of the best coastal grazing marshes in Essex, with its amazing display of wintering wildfowl and rare saltmarsh plants Read more…
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Jaywick Martello Tower is a renovated Martello tower at Jaywick, 2.7 miles south-west of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex. It now functions as an arts, heritage and community venue. Read more…
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Just around the corner from The Naze Centre you’ll find John Weston Nature Reserve, an important site for passing birds in the spring and autumn Read more…
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Built in 1818 to replace the earlier wooden structures dating from the late 17th century. It is now the towns’ Maritime Museum. The Harwich High and Low Lighthouses are 150 yards apart and were leading lights, i.e. they worked as a pair; with one light positioned over the other (as seen from the sea). The vessel was then on the Read more…
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The Discovery Centre is ideally located at the Naze, Walton. 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. About the reserve The Naze also has immense historic and civic Read more…
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The Naze Tower is an historic 86ft landmark and unique visitor attraction situated on an attractive stretch of coastline at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. Over eight floors it houses an art gallery with three exhibitions a year, a museum on the Tower and Naze, tea rooms and a roof viewing platform with spectacular panoramic views. Read more…
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Old Bank Studios specialise in one day workshops in: Art, Textiles and Crafts. Providing expert and professional tuition within this ambient setting. The glorious Edwardian banking hall accommodates an art studio, and a smaller textile studio. Each workshop is complemented with home a cooked lunch and refreshments. Visit www.oldbankstudios.co.uk for more information. Read more…
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There are more than sixty-five play areas across the Tendring District, thirty-eight of these are owned and managed by Tendring District Council, with the remainder in the ownership of parish councils and community groups. Play area guide and locations. Read more…
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Get ready to unleash your inner Viking with Realms Axe Throwing sessions – a perfect blend of skill and thrill! Immerse yourself in a world of limitless possibilities with their cutting-edge Virtual Reality experiences. Whether you’re battling dragons, exploring new dimensions, or creating your own reality, the adventure begins here! At Realms, we believe in creating memories that last a Read more…
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Clacton Pier has long been regarded as one of the prime sea fishing spots along the Tendring coastline. Summer or Winter, there is always plenty of action to be had on this six acre pleasure pier. The “Day Fishing Permits” are valid from 8am – 6pm and allow the holder to fish from the pier berthing arm at the pier Read more…
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Although officially the third longest pier in the UK at over half a mile long, Walton Pier is by far the longest pier going out into the open sea, which makes it ideal for sea fishing. Cast your lines out to sea for Bass, Garfish and Sole in summer and for Flounder and Cod in winter. Stingrays up to 30lb Read more…
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There are currently up to 250 seals in the Walton backwaters, a healthy breeding population which has risen from only 5 in 1986. A boat trip through the backwaters behind the Naze, known as Hamford Water Nature Reserve, where the seals enjoy resting on the mudbanks. In addition to seals, a variety of birds can be spotted including the Wigeon, Read more…
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Skippers Island is one of the last remaining places in Essex with a true feeling of wilderness – a remote island in the Walton Backwaters, there is a sense of peacefulness, only interrupted by the calls of waders and the sound of the rising and falling tide. Read more…
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St Osyth Priory has a long and fascinating history which dates back over many centuries. The Augustinian Abbey was founded shortly after 1120 by Richard de Belmeis, Bishop of London The Abbey was dissolved on July 28, 1539 and passed first to Thomas Cromwell and then to Princess Mary. Lady Savage inherited Melford Hall in Suffolk on her husband’s death Read more…
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The Sunspot is a landmark, purpose-built business centre on the seafront at Jaywick Sands, offering 24 affordable units, suitable for retail, office, studio and workshop tenants, as well as a range of other facilities, including indoor and outdoor market space. Ideal for entrepreneurs taking their first steps, start-ups looking to grow or established businesses looking to expand and reach a Read more…
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Opened in June 2021 to provide a bright, purpose built exhibition space for both local artists and those from further afield to display their work. The gallery houses ever changing art exhibitions which include displays of paintings, photographs, prints, woodturning, ceramics and mixed media. The gallery is open all year round Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm and Sat 10am to 2pm. Read more…
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The Lighthouse Sports and Social Hub is beautifully located on Dovercourt seafront. A family run business offering a full range of sports and fitness activities for the whole family. They have a large outdoor skating rink and lots of activities for the whole family. Sit back and relax while the kids are kept entertained. They also offer hot and cold Read more…
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The Naze Tower has been welcoming visits from schools and colleges since opening in 2004 and has lots of experience of working with students of all ages. Their emphasis for your visit is on an educational, enjoyable and affordable experience and offer a service that can be adapted to your school’s requirements and your study focus. The visit can be Read more…
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The Princes Theatre is a large Grade 2 listed building designed and built with flexibility in mind. Complimented by its ancillary ‘Essex Hall’, the Princes Theatre is able to accommodate anything from the smallest board meeting, up to a 600 seat conference. It includes purpose built rooms, high quality audio visual equipment and flexible catering facilities. The venue has a Read more…
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Thorrington Mill Vineyard was born out of a dream of owners Mark & Polly to own their own vineyard and make their own wine. The 12 acre vineyard was planted on the sea level south facing slopes of their beautiful family farm on the Essex coast. Varieties that were planted were chosen for their popularity in the English wine making Read more…
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Built in 1667 on the site of the Naval Yard, now Navyard. It was moved to its present site on Harwich Green in about 1932. It stands on a slight eminence where once stood Queen’s Mount Battery for the defence of Harwich. The crane was worked by men walking in the interior of the wheels (as opposed to jail treadmills Read more…
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A unique photo experience that defies gravity! It is fun to be a bit different, so that people see things on the flip side. Visitors can touch anything within their reach at our Upside Down Houses. We are a popular attraction for children and adults of all ages with over 400,000 visitors a year. Read more…
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Take a stroll through the award-winning Green Flag seafront gardens at Clacton or a walk on the wild side at The Lozenge Nature Area where visitors can stroll around this 2 acre site, picnic or just sit and enjoy nature. Nearby Springmead Garden in Brightlingsea, lies in a sheltered dell with natural springs and many flower borders ranging from a Read more…