''Proper is a word that suits Frinton. A small town on the Essex coast, it is best known to outsiders for the row that once grew to epic proportions over whether to allow a fish and chip shop to open. Some townsfolk feared it was a first step on the slippery slope to candy floss and amusement arcades, which are a feature of its better known neighbour, Clacton.
Arriving at the front, the beach stretches right towards the golf course and left towards the pier at Walton-on-the-Naze.
Across the road is the esplanade, a thick slice of greensward where children play ball, teenagers flirt and grandparents walk dogs or sit on benches, looking out to sea. Some steps lead down to two rows of beach huts, fronting the promenade, and some more steps lead down to the beach''
Extracted from article in Independent. See full piece by clicking box below.
About Walton
Pier and Amusements
We are proud to have the second longest pier in Great Britain with one of the world's oldest operating amusement parks. With tenpin bowling, rides, bingo and refreshments throughout the summer!
Supersaver Wristband - One price to pay, play all day!
"The Naze"
The un-spoilt headland of Walton consisting of about 50 acres of acid grass coastal heath land and 50 acres of scrub woodland with about 200 acres of salt marsh to the north of the sea wall. See the Naze tower built in 1721 by Trinity House to guide shipping to the busy port of Harwich.
Wildlife Walks
Walk along our backwaters for an alternative view of Walton, which is extremely rich in bird life and geology. Pick up a copy of the Walton Wildlife Guide leaflet from Tourist Information or the Community Project Shop.
What to see in Walton
Naze Tower
For the last 250 years the headland has been dominated by the Naze Tower, built in 1721 by Trinity House long before lighthouses became commonplace. Its original purpose was to act as a marker for ships approaching the Harwich harbour, a duty which it still performs today.
Fossil Cliffs
the cliffs form one of the finest geographical sites in Britain. They are formed from London Clay at the base which is 54 million years old and overlaid with a sandy deposit called Red Craig, which is about two million years old.
The cliff faces are popular with fossil hunters who come to search for the fossils of the marine life like gastropods, nautiloids, turtles
Walton Coastguard Station and Maritime Museum
For the last 250 years the headland has been dominated by the Naze Tower, built in 1721 by Trinity House long before lighthouses became commonplace. Its original purpose was to act as a marker for ships approaching the Harwich harbour, a duty which it still performs today.
John Weston Nature Reserve
This Essex Wildlife Trust reserve lies within the Naze public open space. An area for blackthorn, bramble thickets and rough grassland it is home to hundreds of birds and animals. A walk through the reserve and you’ll also find four ponds or 'scrapes', three of them excavated since the reserve was established.
