Free Days Out in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton Beach puts the town directly behind you, meaning food, toilets and something to do when the sand palls, and it is busy for exactly that reason. St Osyth Beach and Martello Bay Beach are quieter with less immediately to hand. With small children the convenience usually wins; with older ones who want space to themselves the quieter stretches are the better call.

Clacton Pavilion records indoor and outdoor space and is listed here on the basis of its entry arrangements, but seafront pavilions typically house attractions and machines that are individually paid for. Going in and going on things are two different questions, and the second one gets asked immediately by any child who walks through the door. Settle the answer before you arrive rather than at the point of asking.

Wind, usually, well before rain does. The Essex coast is exposed and a bright cold day on the sand becomes miserable faster than the temperature suggests it should. Windbreaks, more layers than seem necessary and a plan for where to go when everybody has had enough are what make the difference. Tide also changes how much beach exists, which is worth checking for the day.