Brightlingsea is famed for its water quality – in fact it’s one of only seven Blue Flag Beaches in Essex, and regularly featured in tourism article about the best beaches to go to.

You can check the current and historical water quality on the Environment Agency website here, and read on to see local resident, and all round good-person, Karen Hine’s guide to a spending a day at Brightlingsea’s beach…

Coming to visit Brightlingsea Beach? 

Summer or Winter it’s a great place to visit.

PARKING

There is plenty of free street parking along Promenade Way, but watch out for double yellow lines towards the end, and if all the on-street parking has been taken use the main promenade carpark. You will need to Download the miPermit parking App (links here: Android iOS) as there are no cash options for parking. Parking is only charged between specific hours so check you have to pay at all when you arrive. There are two accessible parking bays by the public toilets at the end of Promenade Way and another at the far end of the concrete car park at the end of the road. The Promenade Park parking closes at 9.00pm and the gates are locked until the next morning, so make sure you are out in time! There is also an access height restriction so please make sure you remove any bikes/kayaks etc. before you go in. Promenade way is a narrow road, and once one side is taken up with cars it is necessary to take turns travelling in each direction, and there are speed bumps, but take your time and you’ll be fine.

CHECK THE TIDES

So many people arrive at the prom and are disappointed that there is no water! At low tide and several hours either side there is insufficient water for swimming or crabbing. BUT there is still lots more to do at Brightlingsea. If the tide is scheduled five metres or more it will probably come over the promenade path in front of the beach huts. High winds and surge tides can increase the level of the tide by a metre or two. Check the tides on the Brightlingsea Harbour website here.

PLAYPARK

Pawson’s Playground has recently been refurbished and looking good, children up to about the age of 12 have a great time there.  There is also a BORROW AND BRING BACK toy library, so if you find any toys left on the beach please deposit them in the toy library box by the playground. You can see more about the playground here.

THE PADDLING POOL

For those with small children the perfect beach is the paddling pool at Brightlingsea. At the end of Promenade Way, past the grass car park and the public toilets you’ll find a safe and enclosed sea pool (here). Here small children can wade up to their knees in seawater from the sandy beach area surrounding it. Shielded on two sides by beach huts, and with a path and railing enclosing the other two sides it’s perfect for those with small children. Normally the beach is “recharged” with new sand in the Spring. This pool is close to the toilets, play park and Bateman’s Café. Dogs are not allowed on the sand during the summer months. Beside the play park there is a Borrow and Bring Back beach toy box. At high tide 5m+ the sand can be completely covered, at low tide the pool is half drained away leaving more sand to build sandcastles. You can go crabbing in the sea from the railings. The paddling pool is refreshed by the incoming tide most days so you never know what you might find, including little fish. When the crowds have gone it’s a beautiful place to linger and watch the sunset, and the Egrets and coastal birds coming to winkle out some dinner from the shallow waters. There is a second pool area between the paddling pool and Bateman’s Tower, this goes over a breakwater out to sea, and has a more stony base, and beach shoes are recommended, but great for searching out all sorts of sea creatures.  

DOGS

You can walk with your dog along the Promenade all year, but from 1st May to 30th September dogs are not allowed on the sand, including both beaches to the east of the paddling pool area.

BATEMAN’S TOWER

At the end of the promenade is Batemans Tower. An octagonal, block built folly, with arched windows and topped by a later timber viewing structure. It is believed to have been originally built as a lighthouse (you can find out more on the Historic England website).  Bateman’s tower was built in 1883 by John Bateman which he used as a folly for his daughter to recuperate from consumption. The tower is sited on Westmarsh point at the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek on the River Colne. Bateman’s Tower is leaning slightly.

BEACH WARDEN

There is a beach warden on duty between certain hours during the main summer season. You can get first aid, help and advice from the warden who will also intercede any anti social or in appropriate behaviour.  

BASKETBALL COURT

The Sledgehammers have a court behind the beach hut, which has been recently refurbished and painted and looks brilliant.

MILLENIUM PARK

If you don’t fancy sitting on the beach there is a beautiful park on the opposite side of the road, with seating and planting giving a lovely back drop.

PETANQUE COURT

There is court in Millenium park free for anyone to use bring your own boules. You can see more on this here.

STEPS

Along the promenade there are steps down to the sea in front of the beach huts between the Lido and the paddle pool. These steps were created at the turn of the century as part of a job creation scheme.   There is a lot of seaweed here but this is a sign of good water quality.   The seaweed likes a firm structure to anchor itself to, and the concrete steps are ideal. The seaweed provides a home for sea creatures and creates a mini ecosystem. 

CRABBING

Don’t forget your crabbing gear! If you do there are plenty of places around Brightlingsea you can buy them and some bacon (see the guide to crabbing here). The crabs love bacon, and cat food. Mending Matters in town also regularly do workshops on how to make eco friendly non plastic crabbing gear. Make sure you release the crabs back into the sea before you go home. Please pour them gently into the sea – don’t release them on the path or steps and hope they return to the sea – as the gulls have an unfortunate habit on swooping down and snatching them – small children find this rather distressing!

BIG SHIPS

You may have a chance to see some of the beautiful large Smacks and Barges that sail our coast, and are regular visitors to Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe and can be seen moored off of Bateman’s. Brightlingsea is also a working port and you might see a large carrier vessel sailing in on the high tide – an extraordinary sight.

VIEWS

Brightlingsea sits on a promontory surrounded by the River Colne and its associated marshes and creeks (it was an island until the 16th century).  Lying at the mouth of the River Colne and offering lovely views out to sea towards Mersea Island, and across the Point Clear where the Martello Tower can be seen now housing the aircraft museum. Out to sea, a wind turbine array can be seen along the coast to the South towards Bradwell, and on a clear day you can the windmills on the sandbanks off Clacton. There are also beautiful views going up Brightlingsea Creek past the marina and Cindery Island.

BOUYS

Walking along the Promenade between the Lido and Bateman’s Tower a line of orange marker bouys can be seen in the water, these have been put in place to restrict access by motorised vessels, to make a safe route for paddlers and swimmers.

BEACH HUTS

Brightlingsea is well known for its colourful beach huts that sit back from the Promenade.  Each one privately owned and individual.   Many huts have been owned by the same family for many many years and loved and looked after. There are some beach huts for hire, we ask anyone hiring a hut to be respectful of their neighbours and only bring a small group and keep noise to a minimum.

SWIMMING

Brightlingsea has a Blue Flag Beach award, with a twice daily huge tidal change the waters always remain clean and clear. Families can swim anywhere from the Sailing Club to past Bateman’s Tower, but they are recommended to either swim and play on the beach between the Sailing Club and the Lido, or from the Swimming Platform on the seaward side of the paddle pool. Swimmers are recommended to stay within the area marked by the bouys.

FEET

Oysters and shell fish have long been part of Brightlingsea and it’s ongoing life and activities, those going into the water anywhere along the beach front should wear beach/swim shoes if at all possible, some of the shells dropped by gulls can have razor sharp edges.

SUNSETS

We never tire of watching the sun go down in Brightlingsea, and there have been many extraordinarily beautiful images collected from around the paddle pool looking over The Colne towards Mersea Island. In particular the sun going down behind Bateman’s Tower can be quite glorious.

WATER – SHOWERS – TOILETS

There are water standpipes behind the beach huts, these are available May to September each year. There is an external water pipe and shower at the Public Toilets near Pawsons Playground, and Bateman’s Tower.  There are accessible toilet facilities there also.

WALKING

From Mill Lane in Brightlingsea there is a footpath along Rope Walk, through the boat yard, emerging at the Yacht Club, which takes you through the Marina out at the Sailing Club and then along the Promenade. At Bateman’s Tower the disused railway line takes the walker all the way to Alresford Creek, which offers attractive walks with pleasant views. Walking along one of the seawalls, spotting birds and wildlife as you go. Check out some of our favourite walks here.

ACCESSIBILITY

The Promenade can be accessed with minimum steps near the Sailing Club, alongside the Lido, and from the paddle pool.

LIDO

Why not spend half a day at the Lido and half a day on the beach – check the tide times to makes sure you get it right! After a morning at the beach please shower before entering the pool at the Lido. Check out the Lido here.

MAX THE BRIGHTLINGSEA CAT

Look out for Max our friendly local Cat, who features on Postbox toppers, paintings, the woolly wall at the Lido and has his own published book which you can buy in town. He loves a cuddle BUT can also be found hiding in people’s cars. Please check your car or beach hut before leaving. He is a celebrity in Brightlingsea and even has his own Facebook page.

MIND YOUR CHIPS

If you’ve had some cheesy chips from Bateman’s Tower Café or Café Lido then be careful the gulls like a chip too!

LITTER

Please help to keep Brightlingsea looking beautiful for all our visitors, if you cant find a bin take your litter home. THANK YOU.

BOATING LAKE

Situated beside the Lido is our boating lake operated at weekends and holidays by the Scout group, you will also find the model boat club there, and its beautiful to watch the magnificent yachts and crafts on the water. You can also buy duck food from the Lido. See more on the Boating Lake here.

SKATEPARK

For the youngsters and the young at heart if the beach or swimming isn’t your thing there is a skatepark, decorated by a local artist that anyone can use. Come and show us your moves.

FERRY

Looking out from the Promenade at Brightlingsea and you fancy visiting the shores you can see, there is a foot ferry (takes bikes and prams) from Brightlingsea Hard to Point Clear and Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island that you can take, and view Brightlingsea from the water. There are also Harbour tours and days out that can be arrange at the Harbour Master’s office near the Yacht Club. See more here.

THE BEACH

A lazy day at the beach is a firm family favourite – just unwind and enjoy the sun to the sound of kids playing and waves washing on the shore. Brightlingsea has a small sand and shingle beach where the River Colne flows into the sea. Brightlingsea Beach has a Blue Flag award, considered the gold standard for beaches. It’s also recommended by the Marine Conservation Society for its five-star water quality. It has a pleasant, uncommercialised feel, perfect for enjoying yourself away from the crowds of a packed beach resort on a warm, sunny day. Brightlingsea beach is suitable for you if you don’t want to go to a packed beach resort, and just want a quiet day out.  There isn’t any entertainment on the beach, so you could go and enjoy a swim and sunbathe, whilst watching the boats out on the water.   Please no bonfires on the beach, it’s a well used family beach with insufficient space to have bonfires safely.  

JELLY FISH

In late summer in hot weather there can be a smack of jelly fish, be cautious of them as always but we don’t know of anyone that has been seriously injured by them – but of course if you get stung pleasae contact the Beach Warden, or call 999 should you feel the need.

BEACH COMBING and METAL DETECTING

This is a great way to spend a few hours, and you can make some interesting finds. In particular set the children off looking for HAG STONES (those stones with a hole through them). Another idea is looking for sea glass – glass which has been tossed around the in the waves until smooth.

FORGOTTEN SOMETHING

Bateman’s Café has beach toys, and there is a Co-Op supermarket a few minutes walk from the Promenade towards town.

FOOD AND DRINK

Bring your own picnic, or visit Café Lido, or by Bateman’s Tower visit Bateman’s Café selling hot and cold drinks, food and ice creams. My favourite is the cheese chips with bacon bits!

WATER SPORTS

You can bring your own kayak, paddle board, wind surfer or boat. Favourite launching points are the Hard, and the far side of Bateman’s Tower.

HISTORY

Brightlingsea (or Brictesceseia) is mentioned In the Domesday Book of 1087. The medieval town grew up around two centres, firstly around the parish church and secondly close to the shore where a port had developed. Trade was in oysters, fish, copperas (a locally found green pigment of iron) and locally made bricks.

By the 1790s Brightlingsea was a busy fishing port, with oyster beds along the Creek and many smacks. In the mid-1800s it had more advertised oyster merchants than anywhere else in England. 100 fishing vessels were registered at Brightlingsea in 1914, and 54 in 1939.

Formerly an important fishing and shipbuilding area, Brightlingsea is now a haven for yachting. It is a popular resort with plenty of amenities.

Brightlingsea on the River Colne is rich in seafaring history and has the distinction of being the only Cinque Port outside Kent and Sussex. The town is a haven for yachting and hosts international sailing events annually.

The area has a long history of shipbuilding and seafaring. The town is an ancient member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, granted by Edward the Confessor. As such, it is obliged to supply the Crown with ships and men. One of Sir Francis Drake’s sailors ‘William of Brightlingsea’ was a member of the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.