The underrated sandy Essex beach that's the perfect escape from the crowds

Jodie Bradley

22 June 2024 at 5:51 am·2-min read

Holland-on-Sea beach — -Credit: (Image: Nigel Cox)

If you’re looking for a way to avoid the heatwave crowds this summer but still enjoy a beach day, you might want to take a trip down to a quieter spot. The sandy beaches of Holland-on-Sea are four miles up the coast from Clacton.

It is a much less developed part of the coast, and offers a quieter spot to get away from the crowds at Clacton. One of the best features of Holland-on-Sea beach is its colourful beach huts. These charming huts, painted in an array of vibrant hues, line the promenade and add a cheerful splash of colour to the landscape. Many are privately owned, but some are available for hire, providing a cosy and convenient base for a day at the beach.

The beach is well-equipped with amenities, including public toilets, showers, and Haven Café serves an array of refreshments and snacks. There are also several picnic areas and benches, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy the stunning sea views.

It stands out from the busier beaches in Essex as it is mostly sandy, compared with some of the rockier coastlines. The sandy beach isn’t the only thing on offer in the area, though, as if you keep walking along the beach to the area known as Holland Haven you will find the Holland Haven Country Park set in a designated SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest). This means you can make a whole day out of visiting Holland-on-Sea, as you can also walk the serene nature trails or cycle path and explore the natural country park.

The beach is very clean, with local conservation groups working to maintain it. As part of this effort, dogs are not allowed on most of the beach from May 1 to September 30.

The sea defences along this stretch of the coastline have also undergone significant development in recent years, and newly constructed man-made rocky outcrops line the beach.

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