Located in the Tendring district of Essex, the beach is a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike with its colourful beach huts, fresh water lido and a range of sports activities

The county of Essex boasts a plethora of beautiful beaches to revel in when the sun makes an appearance, and this one, adorned with vibrant beach huts, impresses time and time again, setting the scene for a splendid day trip.

The rainbow of beach huts at Brightlingsea never fails to pull in the crowds, yet there’s even more to this seaside gem, including a rare freshwater lido and a whole host of watersports on offer. A mere 10 miles from Colchester, you’ve got the option to windsurf, canoe, jet ski, swim and soak up the sun. And for those seeking a more tranquil experience, there are serene pleasure trips on sailing barges too.

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But note, dogs aren’t permitted on the sands. As Essex’s sole Cinque Port, a historical harbour once frequented by monarchs like Edward the Confessor, Brightlingsea is steeped in maritime tradition.

Journey from the harbour office to the marina steps, and you’ll discover a monument commemorating local Olympic hero Reg White, who clinched gold back in ’76.

Originally a vital hub for fishing and shipbuilding, today’s Brightlingsea is a yachting sanctuary, annually playing host to renowned international sailing competitions that draw significant crowds, reports Essex Live.

Mark Frith shared on Google reviews: “First time here and we found it to be a nice quiet place with the most amount of beach huts we have ever seen in one place. It has a Lido, which you don’t see many of these days, which looked well maintained.”

Hans Rol shared his experience online, saying: “My wife and I were pleasantly surprised by the feel, the looks and the warmth of Brightlingsea Beach. There is plenty to see and do, from the beach it is a short walk to the centre of town.”

He was particularly impressed with the beach huts, admitting: “Personally I was taken by the beach huts, beach houses. So much love has gone in to personalising and maintaining these structures. Brightlingsea Beach has it.”

Prem Anand had a similarly positive view, commenting: “Lovely beach for family, had a long walk with our dog and park and activities for kids.. had a lovely day.”

Matthew Barrett also left a rave review: “Lovely day out, nice beach, safe places to swim, couple of food / drink places, kids play area, nice walks, parking is free along in the road or there is a pay and display car park at the end, would definitely recommend.”