Great Oakley

Great Oakley is a picturesque village offering a peaceful countryside escape with a fascinating past.  Its name derives from the Anglo-Saxon term meaning “oak clearing”, suggesting its origins during woodland clearance in the 9th or 10th century.  The village is even recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, marking it as a wealthy parish in Norman times.  Over the centuries, Read more…

The Essex Way is a picturesque 81-mile walking route that stretches from Epping in the west to Harwich on the northeast coast, showcasing the county’s rich countryside, historic villages, and scenic landscapes. As it enters the Tendring District, the trail passes through tranquil rural areas and charming places like Lawford, Manningtree, Mistley, Bradfield, Wrabness, Ramsey, Dovercourt Bay before culminating at Read more…

Located along the Essex Sunshine Coast, Jaywick Sands offers a laid-back seaside atmosphere with wide, sandy beaches ideal for walking, relaxing, and enjoying panoramic sea views.  Its peaceful charm and welcoming community make it a perfect spot for a quiet escape. A highlight of the area is the Jaywick Martello Tower, a restored 19th-century coastal defence structure that now serves Read more…

Created as part of the Royal Geographical Society’s ‘Discovering Britain’ series of walks, this self-guided audio walk ‘Deep Water’ uncovers how the see has been both a friend and foe to Harwich over the centuries. Audio commentary by Coraline Millar and Neil Darcy Jones. Visit the RGS Website. With a starting point of Harwich Town railway station, CO12 3NA (overpaid.slick.swatted) and a finishing Read more…

Owned by The Harwich Society, the Harwich Maritime Trail has 21 locations that takes an individual from the Low Lighthouse and through Harwich Town to the Radar Tower. Come across various historical delights such as the Treadwheel Crane, the Lifeboat Museum, the Electric Palace Cinema, Ha’penny Pier and Visitor Centre, the Harwich Redoubt Fort and much more whilst walking the Read more…

Following on from the Clacton Heritage Trail, this beautiful scenic walk contains a variety of locations that span from the Gunfleet Estuary in Holland Haven to the Naze Tower at Walton-on-the-Naze. There’s lots to see following the trail and plenty of fantastic places to relax en-route.   Read more…

The Clacton Heritage Trail, sometimes referred to as the Clacton 150, was created using National Lottery Heritage Funding during 2021. It covers 5 miles of beautiful seafront and with 19 different locations to visit accompanied by signs that contain information of the historical ongoings within that area. Starting from Location 1 at the Sunspot and ending at Location 19; Borrow Read more…

Discover trails all around Tendring and learn more about the history, culture, arts, architecture and more of different places within the district. Covering areas such as Clacton-on-Sea, Frinton-on-Sea, Harwich, Holland-on-Sea, Jaywick Sands, Manningtree, St Osyth, Walton-on-the-Naze and other locations these trails aim to promote activity within the district as well as raise awareness of the historical importance Tendring has.   Read more…

A life-sized wooden statue has recently been unveiled in Weeley to honour the village’s heritage. The statue was unveiled the prior weekend and depicts a Highland Soldier from the Napoleonic Era. Carved by woodcarver Rusty from Marnic Wood who teamed up with Weeley In Bloom, this new sight can be found where the footpaths meet at Second Avenue and St Read more…

A structure of The Mayflower Ship, designed by artist collaborators Hanman Murphy, is located on the first roundabout outside of Harwich’s International Port. This piece of public art, made from a structural skeleton, evokes the historic starting point of the Mayflower story with the globe reflects the interpretation of iron bearing waters, and the international legacy of the Mayflower. The Read more…