Top Things to do in Essex
Top Hotels in Essex
- 1. Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport
- 2. Novotel London Stansted Airport
- 3. Premier Inn London Stansted Airport hotel
- 4. Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
- 5. Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow
- 6. The George Hotel
- 7. Roslin Beach Hotel
- 8. The County Hotel
- 9. Premier Inn Thurrock East hotel
- 10. London Chigwell, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
6 Piers & Boardwalks in Essex That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Essex, United Kingdom including Waterfront, Halfpenny Pier, Strand Wharf, Mulberry Harbour, Canvey Island Seafront, Southend Pier & Railway.
Restaurants in Essex
1. Waterfront
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By ClareMcK - Burnham-on-Crouch, United Kingdom
Lovely for locals and visitors to walk along the Quayside. There are a couple of cafes, such as the Dairy Cabin, along the way, as well as some new cafes in the High Street including Peaberries and the Ground Coffee House where you can grab a coffee and a cake. If you are a keen sailor, there are several clubs namely: Crouch Valley, Burnham and the Royal Corinthian. Feeling adventurous and wanting to get out no the water? You can hire equipment and experience life on the water with Wet Works - whether sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding or other water sports - everyone can enjoy their time on the water.
2. Halfpenny Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 179 reviews
Ha'penny Pier is a Victorian wooden Pier. It's one of only a few remaining examples of working wooden piers in the UK and is owned and managed by Harwich Haven Authority.
Reviewed By Av1dtraveller1947 - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
When you stand on the pier you can see the huge container ships that frequent the port of Harwich along with all the yachts and fishing boats that frequent the estuary. There is also a nice eatery there and a small museum
3. Strand Wharf
4. Mulberry Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Cheekycockney190757 - Basildon, United Kingdom
The Southend Phoenix Caisson. In the lead-up, to D-Day the UK Government began construction on a Top Secret Project that would enable the allied invasion to literally take a harbour with them. The Project was The Mulberry Harbour, a floating concrete harbour built in sections and towed across the English Channel to the beaches where the initial invasion took place. The need of such a vast undertaking was because all the ports were very heavily fortified by the Nazi forces and to aid the advance through occupied France the allies needed to get large amounts of men, machines and supplies to the front line. The Southend Phoenix Caisson was originally built in Immingham on the banks of the River Humber; the section was in the process of being towed to Southsea, Hampshire in preparation for the D-Day landings when it began to let in water. The caisson was diverted by the admiralty into the Thames Estuary so that the leak could be investigated and repaired. Upon entering the Thames, it fell under control of HMS Leigh at Southend Pier, the radio operator directed the towing vessel to keep the main shipping lanes clear so it was decided to position the Caisson over the West Knock sandbank. Once it was in position the taps that flooded the structure were opened to allow the gradual controlled sinking to take place. However the caisson shifted position as the flooding process was taking place. This resulted in the caisson settling on the sandbank with three-quarters supported and the rest hanging over the edge of the bank. The stresses exerted on the unsupported section proved too great and the back of the section broke rendering it useless to the war effort. The hulk has been left where it settled to this day, it lays 1.2miles off the shore at Thorpe Bay and is clearly visible at all states of tide. This is when it can be walked to at low tide, but you have very limited to time to get there and back so you have to head off before the tide is fully out and only spend about 15 mins at the harbour before you make your way back to the beach. There is a coast guard station directly opposite the harbour and many rescue calls have to be made by those who get there timings wrong and get stuck as the tide comes back in. We visited on Thursday 18th June 2020.
5. Canvey Island Seafront
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By sassylady2016 - Canvey Island, United Kingdom
It’s a lovely walk round the seafront along the sea wall , I take my dog , there’s paintings art work on the sea wall , planters , seats . Also a crabbing area for kids and a small beach . Also cafes , A cinema , rides, amusement arcade . Plenty to do .
6. Southend Pier & Railway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,052 reviews
Southend Pier is a major landmark in Southend-on-Sea. Extending 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary, it is the longest pleasure pier in the world. Sir John Betjeman once said that "the Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier". The pier is a Grade II listed building.
Reviewed By Stevens82WGC - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
We enjoyed our walk along the pier and the cafe and rnli station/shop at the end was a perfect break before walking back! Not much else open but given it was out of season/windy I wasn’t unsurprised.
