Walks to enjoy across Tendring
We’re lucky to be in a beautiful part of East Anglia, where we can enjoy walks along the coast as well as through country villages and nature reserves.
Our Care Professionals and clients really do have the best of both worlds. Our beaches in Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, Jaywick, Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze all provide amazing locations to walk and take in the views. We’ve put together a few of our favourite locations across the Tendring area. These are places you can visit with your loved ones, parents, grandparents, children or your favourite four-legged friend. On some you will enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside, whilst on others you will benefit from some Vitamin Sea and an ice-cream or perhaps you’ll be brave and dip your toes in the water. Happy walking!
The Naze
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre, run by Essex Wildlife Trust, is located in an area where coastal change can clearly be seen and where wildlife thrives. You can enjoy the sea air and views across to Hamford Waters, maybe spotting a seal or two.
As you approach the Naze it’s like you’re driving to the end of the world, standing atop the sweeping 70-foot-high cliffs looming over the sea below. The sandy beach hides fossilised sharks’ teeth and there’s a 9-acre Nature Reserve with thickets, grassland and ponds. It’s a favourite for dog walkers and great for stopping off for a coffee or bite to eat. The Walton Trails, are a set of four walking trails, featuring wildlife, history, WW2 and one for little explorers. You can find accessibility information and trail tips. The visitor’s centre is wheelchair accessible and has disabled toilet facilities. To reach The Naze you head to Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-The Naze.
Clacton 150 Heritage Trail
The Clacton Heritage Trail was launched in 2021 and celebrates Clacton-on-Sea’s 150th Birthday. It covers more than five miles of beautiful coastline that takes you from Jaywick Sands to Holland Haven and includes Clacton town centre.
The trail features listening benches and audio posts dotted along the route telling stories of Clacton through the years. It’s a great family walk for all generations, encouraging young and old to be active and promoting health and wellbeing, whilst having a little rest every now and then to listen and learn about the local history and enjoy what the area has to offer. You can find the start of The Heritage Trail at Jaywick Sands.
Frinton to Walton Promenade
The beach from Frinton to Walton is a gorgeous stretch of wide, sweeping yellow sand framed by the promenade with its rows of colourful beach huts. It’s the sort of image you might see on a traditional seaside postcard. Frinton remains uncommercialised and is great for a peaceful, family friendly getaway. There’s even beach huts for hire if you want to stay for the entire day.
The Frinton to Walton Walk is a favourite amongst the Home Instead team. It’s an easy two-mile long promenade walk with gorgeous views to lift the spirits. You pass Frinton’s famous Clock Tower and head along to Walton Pier. There’s a couple of little cafés along the promenade at Walton. The Esplanade is the place to park, there’s plenty of spaces, and if you want to enjoy the full walk, start on the seafront close to Frinton Golf Club.
Brightlingsea
Brightlingsea is a lovely seaside location where you can a walk from Promenade Way Car Park along the front to the harbour, perhaps stopping for a bite to eat at one of a number of local cafes before heading back.
You’ll see Bateman’s Tower, an octagonal, two-storey tower that was once used as a bathing house, you’ll pass beach huts and Brightlingsea Community Lido, a classic 1930’s open air swimming pool before heading to the harbour.
You can make a day of it and take in two walks for the price of one, hoppin on the foot ferry to Point Clear. There’s a 2km half hour ramble along St Osyth’s Sea wall or the St Osyth to Point Clear 6km Coastal walk. The Ferryboat Inn or Café on Point Clear offer refreshments. The boat allows well behaved dogs on board, if you fancy some canine companionship along the way.
Kirby Backwaters
Kirby-le-Soken is a little village enroute to Frinton and Walton, with two thriving local pubs and a village store. You can easily pass through it without realising all it has to offer for those who like a secluded walk.
You can start the walk either at the footpath by The Ship Inn or from Quay Lane, just off the main road through the village. There’s a 3 or 5-mile jaunt offering views over to Harwich, Felixstowe and Horsey Island. Horsey Island is cut off for most of every 24-hour period and only accessible via boat, which is how the island’s one tenant likes it. Wildlife and birdlife can be seen as there’s a nature reserve, but walking boots or trainers are best worn. Parking can be tricky. Head to Kirby-le-Soken.
