The pretty Essex seaside commuter town that changed its name to attract tourists
Some Essex towns are massively underrated to live in, providing residents with both a rural environment and easy commuter access to busier cities nearby. One such town was also once disregarded - but after changing its name to match its stunning landscape, things changed for the better.
Thorpe Bay is located four miles away from Southend, located on the Thames Estuary. Arguably the finest area in the Southend borough, Thorpe Bay is famed for its large houses and rows upon rows of privately owned beach huts.
The town was originally simply known as Thorpe, but later renamed Thorpe Bay after the railway station, to indicate the seaside location. As the name suggests, Thorpe Bay has a beautiful mixed sand and shingle beach.
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Thorpe Bay has received a Quality Coast award for excellent beach cleanliness and for safe pedestrian access. There is a cycle path that traverses the length of the seafront, a children’s paddling pool and a selection of cafes and restaurants nearby, including some with decking leading straight onto the beach, according to Visit Southend.
The town contains several leisure facilities, including Thorpe Hall Golf club, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, a bowls club and a tennis club. There are also a few schools and churches in Thorpe bay, and its proximity to Southend provides easy access to all the facilities and services in the city there too.
It is revered for its commuter value, too, being plonked directly on the c2c line. This takes commuters from the town directly to Fenchurch street in London.
Apparently, Thope Bay has also become much more popular to live in since the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike Gray, director of Dedman Gray Estate Agents in Southend who gave us his recommendations on where to move, said that there has been a major upturn in people moving to Thope Bay.
This fits the overall trend where people are becoming more inclined to move to rural or coastal areas after the pandemic. So, it seems that Thorpe Bay's name change has definitely put the town in the limelight, bringing attention to its gorgeous beaches and seaside location!
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