Tourism body Visit Essex is running a campaign to get visitors to take a second look at the Essex Coast. Essex is much-loved for its popular seaside attractions, but there is much more to enjoy along the county’s 350-mile coastline, from sea shanty festivals to seal spotting, experience another side of Essex.
Cllr Mark Durham, Chair, Visit Essex, said: “There’s so many different places to explore in Essex, it’s a county of contrasts and stunning seascapes. We’re very proud of our popular hotspots at Southend and Clacton, but we would encourage visitors to take a step off the beaten track and find somewhere they’ve never been before, Essex has a lot to offer!”
Harwich International Shanty Festival – 8-10 October
Join top sea shanty crews from the UK and overseas at the Harwich International Shanty Festival on 8-10 October. Harwich old town will be alive with music and song as shanty artists from across the globe converge on Harwich to perform the best of shanty. To celebrate the town’s maritime history the festival will also include street theatre, pirates and a ship’s surgeon! Children can also learn the art of playing ‘the bones’ as well as see kippers being smoked and watch craftsmen create a wooden bust for a ship. To discover more, visit www.visitessex.com/whats-on/harwich-international-shanty-festival.
Walking with Witches
Take a step into history and wander along the picturesque Stour estuary in Manningtree and discover the gruesome goings-on that once happened upon the river’s shores. Back in the seventeenth century Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins, tried around 300 people for witchcraft and executed 100 as witches. Today, the area is a tranquil spot, but a must for history buffs. To follow the route – www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/walking-with-witches.
Tuck into oysters from a seafood shack
Oysters have been farmed along the Essex coast since Roman times. Nowadays some of the best oysters in the world can be found along the shores at Mersea Island. Tuck into oysters from a seafood shack along the shoreline and enjoy a luxury picnic on the beach with the freshest of ingredients.
Spot black-tailed godwits on Wallasea Island
Wallasea Island is a magical landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches and sea. The reclaimed land is now home to an RSPB reserve, where you can walk along the seawalls and wonder at the saltmarshes, mudflats and lagoons. Autumn is a great time to spot migrating birds, such as the black-tailed godwit.
Set sail on a Thames barge
Wander along the promenade at Maldon and view the amazing Thames sailing barges in their moorings. The traditional craft are still a common sight on the sea thanks to day trip charters. Enjoy a cruise down the river Blackwater past Osea Island and experience what it was like hundreds of years ago sailing on a beautiful sailing barge. Top Sail Charters offers regular river cruises along the Blackwater, to find out more, visit www.visitessex.com/information/product-catch-all/topsail-charters.
Afternoon tea on the beach
Everyone loves an afternoon tea, but in Essex you can enjoy a very special Tiptree Tea Room afternoon tea by the sea! Head over to Tiptree’s ‘The Lock’ at Heybridge Basin, choose a table overlooking the stunning Blackwater estuary and tuck into tasty homemade scones with clotted cream and yummy Tiptree strawberry jam.
Go fossil hunting
Walton-on-the-Naze is the perfect place to go fossil hunting. Due to the crumbling cliffs, the beaches provide the perfect place to spot fossilised wood as well as 50-million-year-old sharks’ teeth too! Explore at low tide for the best results.
Explore vineyards in estuarine landscapes
Thanks to Essex’s sunny and warm weather the county has over 20 vineyards. Crouch Ridge Vineyard is situated in the Crouch Valley and is home to a wonderful collection of still and sparkling wines. Enjoy a tour of the vineyard or relax in the wine barn and terrace and enjoy the vineyard’s dramatic views over the estuary. To discover more, visit www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/crouch-ridge-vineyard.
Go seal spotting
Treat yourself to a seal watching trip in Hamford Water; watch the 250-strong colony of seals relax on the mudflats as you watch from the safety of your boat. Jump on board the boat from Ha’Penny Pier in Harwich for the two-hour cruise. To book, visit www.visitessex.com/information/product-catch-all/seal-watching-harwich.
Island hopping
Did you know that Essex has more Isles than any other English county? Charter a yacht, or climb aboard a kayak and explore over 30 islands along the county’s shoreline.
