Clacton-on-Sea

The pier stretches 160 metres into the North Sea, creaking gently under the weight of generations who've strolled its weathered planks. Clacton-on-Sea wears its seaside heritage proudly - this is proper old-school British resort territory, complete with donkey rides, candy floss, and the kind of seafront that hasn't changed much since your grandparents honeymooned here.

Walk the esplanade any summer morning and you'll find families setting up camp with windbreaks and thermos flasks. The beach runs for miles, a decent stretch of sand that gets packed during school holidays but feels wonderfully spacious come September. Behind the seafront, the town centre buzzes with the usual mix of charity shops and chain stores, though it's quieter midweek than you'd expect for such a well-known resort.

Ventured inland and the landscape shifts to classic Essex countryside - flat agricultural land dotted with medieval churches and the occasional grand house. The Tendring Peninsula coastline continues northeast towards Frinton-on-Sea, where the atmosphere turns decidedly more genteel.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Direct trains from London Liverpool Street take just over an hour, making this one of the capital's most accessible seaside escapes. The A120 provides the main road link, though expect congestion during peak summer weekends.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this stretch of coast. You're well positioned for day trips to Colchester's Roman sites, just 20 minutes inland, or the upmarket charms of Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze along the coast. Plus there's something rather fitting about experiencing proper British seaside life from a static caravan - it's all part of the authentic Clacton experience.