Best walks in Essex
We think Essex is underrated as far as its coastline is concerned, so we’ve put together a list of Essex coastal walks that will bring many a holiday memory to every family.
The county has over 350 miles of sea facing areas to explore, many of the best within touching distance of our awesome Essex holiday park at Orchards. Let us guide you through some of the best walks in Essex so you can plan your next holiday to the county with some activity in mind. We’ll give you the length and terrain of the walk to, so you’ll know what to expect and pack in order to make the most of it.
1. Seawick to Clacton Pier
Distance: 3.5 miles Terrain: easy
Jump in the car from Orchards Holiday Village and take a five-minute drive down to Seawick, where you can park in the area around the Sailor Boy pub, café and amusements (which is actually a great place to relax and fresh on your way back from this Essex coastal walk too).
From here, head along the beautiful Essex seaside on an uninterrupted stroll that’s also a great dog walk. You’ll pass Jaywick Martello Tower, an 1800s defensive structure that’s now a contemporary art venue. Walk past the untouched Jaywick Beach as Clacton Pier slowly comes into view. Soak up the sea breeze as you pass Toby Carvery, another great place to stop, especially on a Sunday! This marks your arrival in Clacton. When you reach the pier, grab some fish and chips from the seafront, or some seafood from Tubby Isaacs. You can walk back or jump on the bus to Jaywick’s Martello Tower, just a stone’s throw from where you parked.
2. Orchards Holiday Village to St Osyth
Distance: 2 miles Terrain: easy
This walk in Essex is proof that Orchards Holiday Village is amongst some of the best scenery the county has to offer. Leave through the main entrance of the holiday park and head along Point Clear Road. Stay on the left side and you’ll find a picturesque left turn just before the road itself veers to the left.
Walk through the stunning countryside and back out to where the road meets the stunning Mill Dam Lake, home of the entertaining Curve Water Sports, which you should definitely try out at some point! See the historic stone walls of St Osyth on the left, the gateway to St Osyth village. You can stop off for a pint or refreshment at The Red Lion or Kings Arms before taking the same route back to your van.
3. Point Clear Bay circular walk
Distance: 2 miles Terrain: easy
Point Clear Bay is where Orchards Holiday Village sits and must be discovered when you’re here for a stay with us. An easy route to navigate, the route gives you great views of Brightlingsea across the bay, and you can relax on the pebbly beach, which is a particular delight at sunset. Stroll south past the holiday park and see more brilliant sea views, and head back through our park to see where St Osyth and Brightlingsea Creeks meet.
The feeling here is particularly maritime, and this dog friendly walk sets you up nicely for a boat ride across to Brightlingsea for a refreshment or two.
4. Clacton Pier to Holland-on-Sea coastal walk
Distance: 2.5 miles Terrain: easy
Head into the heart of Clacton and start your stroll from Clacton Pier north towards the sleepy town of Holland-on-Sea. This walk in Essex is a brilliant way to see some of the county’s finest coastline, with a lovely and easy route along King’s Promenade.
This is one for the whole family. There are several resting spots along the way with pretty gardens and a couple of cafes providing sustenance. When you get to Holland-on-Sea, head to Frinton Road for a wide range of eateries and watering holes to rest before heading back home.
5. Colne Point Nature Reserve
Distance: 2 miles Terrain: rough
Colne Point Nature Reserve is a great dog walk in Essex and a place where you can truly escape the hustle and bustle. Pack your wellies or walking boots for this one as the terrain can vary in places. Your effort is rewarded with a real breath of fresh air as you stroll along Ray Creek.
If you fancy adding some distance, the nature reserve is neighbours with Orchards Holiday Village. Walking directly from your accommodation adds a mile or so to this walk, depending on your location on park.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.