Essex

The top fish and chip takeaways and restaurants across the UK have been listed, with some surprising entries

As the year draws nearer to a close, it’s time to celebrate the very best of tasty food, as the Fry Awards announce their top spots for fish and chips in the UK.

Fry Magazine has yet again unveiled its ruling of the 50 best fish and chip takeaways, alongside their top 10 restaurants. These results come after months of judges secretly assessing fish and chip shops nationwide, assessing them on key things such as their food quality, cleanliness, staff, and value for money.

It was only those with the highest scores that rightfully earned themselves an award, and the pass mark for both categories had to be an impressive 96% and above. 2025 marks the 13th year of the awards taking place, and its list is evidence that good food is going nowhere in the UK.

The top 10 restaurants show a wide range of locations, from down south by the coast of Devon right up to Glasgow in Scotland, but it’s safe to say the top contenders are mostly based in beloved seaside towns. Sticking out like a sore thumb, however, is the capital’s only entry in the top restaurants list, and that’s Toff’s of Muswell Hill, in London.

10 Best Restaurants

Catch, Giffnock, Glasgow

Eric’s Fish & Chips, Hunstanton, Norfolk

Fish City, Belfast

Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall

Pier Point Bar & Restaurant, Torquay, Devon

Squires Fish Restaurant, Braunton, Devon

The Elite, Tritton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The Magpie Cafe, Whitby, North Yorkshire

The Scallop Shell, Bath, Somerset

Toff’s of Muswell Hill, Muswell Hill, London

Included in the sizeable list are plenty of places in Yorkshire, with seven total entries in the exclusive list, including the likes of Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough and Two Gates Fisheries. Home to the likes of Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea, the county of Essex also came out with a total of four fish and chip takeaways alone, making waves in the world of seafood.

Reece Head, competition organiser, said: “Another year has passed and, once again, these shops have shown resilience, adapting to today’s challenges with remarkable dedication. At a time when inflationary pressures are being felt, these businesses continue to stay positive and prioritise their customers, maintain exceptional standards, and find innovative ways to keep fish and chips affordable.

“Starting the year as award winners is a fantastic way for fish and chip shops to kick off 2025, setting the tone for a successful year ahead. Whether served in a restaurant, a takeaway, or from a mobile unit, the Fry Awards prove that quality fish and chips can be enjoyed anywhere.”

50 Best Takeaways (in alphabetical order)

• Ainsworth’s Fish & Chips, Caernarfon
• Angel Lane Chippie, Penrith, Cumbria
• Angell’s Fisheries, Newark, Nottinghamshire
• Batterfly Fish & Chips, Surbiton, Surrey
• Bredon Village Fish and Chip Shop, Bredon, Worcestershire
• Callaway’s Fish & Chips, Dorchester, Dorset
• Churchill’s Fish & Chips Langney, Eastbourne, East Sussex

• Farnham’s at Fontygary, Rhoose, Vale Of Glamorgan
• Fiddlers Elbow, Leintwardine, Herefordshire
• Fintans Fish & Chip Co. Llanishen, Cardiff
• Fishnchickn, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex
• French’s Fish Shop, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk
• Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
• Greg & Lou’s, Redruth, Cornwall
• Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex
• Hiks, Brynhyfryd, Swansea
• Hirds Family Fisheries, Halifax, West Yorkshire
• Howe & Co 55, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

• Joe’s Traditional Fish and Chips, Strabane , County Tyrone
• Kellaway’s Fish and Chips, Truro, Cornwall
• Kirbys of Horsforth, Horsforth , Leeds
• Kirbys of Meanwood, Meanwood, Leeds
• Lighthouse Fisheries Of Flamborough, Flamborough, East Yorkshire
• Malt and Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
• Moore’s Fish & Chips, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway

• Oysters Fish & Chips, Lightwater, Surrey
• Oysters Fish & Chips, Marlow Bottom, Buckinghamshire
• Pennington Plaice, Leigh, Greater Manchester
• Pier Point, Torquay, Devon
• Pisces, Fleetwood, Lancashire
• Portside Fish & Chips, South Elmsall, Leeds
• Portside Fish & Chips, Kirkstall Road, Leeds
• Quintiliani’s Fast Food, Hamilton, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire

• Redcloak Fish Bar , Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
• Sea Blue Fisheries, Clowne, Derbyshire
• Sea Salt + Sole, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
• Seafront Chippy, Hornsea, East Yorkshire
• Shappy Wheels, Shap, Cumbria
• Shaws Fish And Chips, Dodworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
• Squires, Braunton, Devon
• Sykes Fish and Chips, Manchester

• The Anchor, Bexley, South East London
• The Bearded Sailor, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire
• The Cafe Royal, Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
• The Chippie Van, Penrith, Cumbria
• The Codfather, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

• The Fish at Goose Green, Wigan, Greater Manchester
• The Fish Bank, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire
• The Friary, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
• The Hook of Clacton, Clacton on Sea, Essex
• The Oyster Shell, Bath, Somerset
• The Village Fish & Chips, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent
• Town Street Fryer, Marple Bridge, Stockport, Cheshire
• Two Gates Fisheries, Shafton, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

With one of the worst pub food experiences, a deserted high street and a pint-glass littered river front – there is only one thing going for this Essex town.

Driving out of the sun-dappled bucolic roads of Highgate, a sense of stillness and dread descended on our A12 approach to Burnham-on-Crouch.

Drizzle spat onto the window as the windscreen wipers failed to fully clear the smudgy stain obscuring our first St George’s flag sighting on turning into Maldon – arguably patient zero of the recent redecorating of the country.

“Oh my God, look at the price of petrol”, my friend and driver Pierre shouted, veering off the road.

At a truly shocking £1.289 a litre – this was easily the highlight of the trip.

Trudging out of our faded periwinkle Nisan Micra in the co-operative car park, it seemed we had injected the only shade of colour into the bleakest town in the UK, reports The Express.

The sky was white-grey, the community boards bleached into oblivion, and the streets were desolate, and strangely perfumed with what smelled like incense.

Along the so-called high street we stumbled upon our first stop, the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance charity shop. A man in a fitted leather jacket best left in the early naughties made a B-line for the front desk and asked the cashier if they “had any war records.”

This would have seemed odd if it weren’t for what sounded like a 1940s factory choir blasting through the sound system. Lined by pebble dash magnolia homes, the high street was thronged with bloated Land Rover Discoveries, surprisingly well polished against the cracking paint of the houses behind them.

Walking on, we got chatting to a man on a stall outside a barber shop. He said he commuted from London to the family business. When asked what he thought of Burnham-on-Crouch, namely the amount of St George’s flags, he said only “I try to stay out of politics.”

Next on the charity shop roster was the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity. A volunteer came bustling out of the back shouting to her second that she needed back up because “there are quite a few customers out here.” There were a total of four of us in the shop.

It was a surprise some wares had made it past the screening process onto the shop floor. Specifically, one doll dressed as a Native American had made it to the shelves and it looked old enough to pre-date the toy industry’s push for better representation of the global population. The book shelves were almost-exclusively stocked with war books, with Allan Bullock’s questionably named ‘Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives’.

Considering the St George’s flag to actual human being ratio, the town’s war memorial was surprisingly sparse following the recent 80th VJ day. There was just one kitchen-clock sized wreath next to the monument, yet every chiropodist, beauty salon, hairdresser and corner shop was adorned with either a Union Jack or a St George’s flag.

Walking along the promenade, it was clear the River Crouch itself was Burnham’s best chance at making a convincing postcard. However, considering the dregs of the September sunshine, it more closely resembled a milieu for a disgruntled Brit-slop ITV detective to look out on whilst toiling over his case.

Then was our lunch. With a couple of suspicious looks up and down, and the smell of a carpeted woody interior- the pub seemed nice enough. I ordered the cranberry and brie toastie, and Pierre ordered a tuna melt with chips to share.

I became nervous when I heard the (deathly quiet) table next to us complain about something in their food. Then, Pierre pulled a food-covered hair from his toastie, before, astoundingly, ploughing on.

This was handled with an apology and we were offered a free pudding – which we declined – and they ended up taking our lime soda and pint off the bill.

After lunch I proposed a tea stop at The Cabin Dairy. This was the town’s one saving grace. The interior resembled the height of neo-Victorian maximalism of 2009, with the shelves looking like a jumbled raid of TK Maxx’s knick-knack section.

The staff were warm, and the scone was delicious, soft and straight out of the oven.

I was surprised to be so happy to fork out any more money in what I had decided was indeed the bleakest town in the UK. If you do find yourself near Burnham – don’t go if you can help it – but know that the Cabin Dairy is there to mop up the emotional drainage of your, hopefully brief, stay.

THIS is the shocking moment sneaky jewel thieves distract a driver at a petrol station and steal £2 million from his car boot.

An organised crime group targeted the jewellery salesman as he was travelling from Sussex to Kent last year.

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Three of the group have now been jailed after they followed the man to a petrol station in Wrotham, Kent, before puncturing one of his tyres in January 2024.

The victim had been working in Brighton selling jewellery to several businesses and was carrying precious items worth around £2.25 million.

The CCTV footage shows the moment the thieves start following the salesman.

He was tracked by Edgar Ardila-Ruiz, Monica Diaz and Edward Florez-Ortiz and closely tailed his vehicle back to Kent.

When the man stopped at a petrol station in Wrotham, Florez-Ortiz punctured one of his tyres.

The man drove away but was forced to turn back and headed to an air pressure machine after noticing his tyre was flat.

While at the machine, the footage shows Monica Diaz distract the salesman by attempting to engage him in conversation.

Meanwhile, Ardila-Ruiz can be seen at the rear of the car snatching a bag of jewellery from the boot.

The CCTV footage recovered from the garage showed the suspects fleeing in a silver Toyota Corolla.

All three thieves were part of a gang responsible for other offences across the country including areas in London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

Ruiz and Diaz were later arrested on February 11 after attempting to steal from another travelling salesman near Bolton, Lancashire.

The victim had alerted police after he noticed a black BMW was following him.

Local officers ran checks showing Ruiz was wanted for the theft in Wrotham while Diaz was also recognised from the petrol station CCTV.

They both pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court after they were charged with conspiracy to steal, and theft from a motor vehicle.

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Ruiz and Diaz, both of no fixed address, were sentenced to three years and six months in prison.

Florez-Ortiz, from Islington, London, was identified as a third suspect and separately convicted at Chelmsford Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to theft and criminal damage.

He was jailed for six years and will undergo future extradition proceedings after he was sentenced to three years for another jewellery theft in Belgium in 2021.

All three will also now be the subject of a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act to claw back any criminal gains they may have made.

Detective Constable Leo Graham said: “Our investigation uncovered a wealth of evidence showing how all three offenders initially followed the victim on foot, before tailing his car.

“They waited patiently for the perfect opportunity to prey upon him and a later examination of his car led to the recovery of a metal item which had been inserted into the tyre by Florez-Ortiz.

“Ardila-Ruiz and Diaz were thankfully caught just weeks later, after following another salesman hundreds of miles away from Kent.

“These sentences are welcome, as it is clear they were part of a bigger network of organised criminality targeting victims throughout the country.”

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SIR Keir Starmer was under fresh fire last night after it emerged 3,567 dinghy migrants have arrived since he signed a “one-in, one-out” deal with France — but NONE have been kicked out.

The news overshadowed the Government’s latest attempt to get a grip on the illegal migration crisis.

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Yesterday, ministers put a temporary halt on refugees bringing in partners and children.

Sir Keir also said he wanted to bring forward his 2029 deadline for closing asylum hotels because he “completely gets” the public’s anger.

But his positive slant was derailed by the news of the failure of the “one-in, one-out” deal with France’s Emmanuel Macron.

More than 100 people are understood to have been detained — with videos shared by No10 showing people being escorted by staff after arriving across the Channel.

Yet none has actually gone yet, officials confirmed.

The PM and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had gone on the offensive yesterday after a summer of dismal headlines.

Sir Keir slammed Reform leader Nigel Farage’s sweeping deportation plans.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five, the PM said: “It’s a really serious issue. We have to have control of our borders, and I completely get it.

“I’m determined that whether it’s people crossing in the first place, people in asylum hotels, or it’s returning people, we absolutely have to deal with this.”

Pressed on when illegal migrant hotels will finally shut, Sir Keir replied: “We’ve said we’ll get rid of them by the end of the Parliament. I would like to bring that forward, I think it is a good challenge.”

Nationwide protests over the summer pushed the PM to finally act as public anger over hotel use reached boiling point.

The Home Office currently houses around 32,000 asylum seekers in over 200 hotels across Britain.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said accommodation for illegal migrants would be dealt with “not just by shifting individuals from hotels to other sites, but by driving down the numbers in supported accommodation overall”.

Hotels would be “reconfigured” to increase room-sharing and the test for accommodation would be “tightened”.

She said the Home Office would try to “identify alternative cheaper and more appropriate accommodation”.

Last month, Mr Farage unveiled his radical mass deportation blueprint, dubbed “Operation Restoring Justice”, aiming to expel up to 600,000 undocumented migrants over five years.

Scrap ECHR

His plan includes withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights and scrapping the 1951 UN Refugee Convention.

He also wants to establish detention centres with compulsory deportations, even for women and children.

Sir Keir said: “The difference here is between an orderly sensible way of actually fixing a problem we inherited from the Tories or fanciful arrangements that are just not going to work.

“Nigel Farage and Reform are just the politics of grievance. They feed on grievance. They don’t want the problem solved because they’ve got no reason to exist if the problems are solved.”

The PM added that Mr Farage’s plan is “not fair to put forward to the public” because it is an idea that “just isn’t going to work”.

It came as Ms Cooper announced refugees will be banned from bringing their families to the UK as part of “radical” asylum reforms announced by the Home Secretary yesterday.

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The Home Secretary vowed that new immigration rules will temporarily suspend new applications from dependents of refugees already in Britain.

She also said that the controversial Article 8 of the ECHR — which guarantees a right to family life — should be interpreted differently.

Around 20,000 people come to the UK on refugee family reunion visas per year, according to Home Office figures.

Ms Cooper told the House of Commons yesterday: “Our reforms will also address the overly complex system for family migration, including changes to the way Article 8 of the ECHR is interpreted.

“We should be clear that international law is important.

“But we also need the interpretation of international law to keep up with the realities and challenges of today’s world.”

‘Living in a parallel universe’

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Ms Cooper of “living in a parallel universe”.

Labour’s own Graham Stringer said the measures “don’t really deal with the fact that many migrants are not coming from war-torn countries, they’re coming from France, which isn’t persecuting them”.

And Reform MP Lee Anderson said: “Starmer continues to open the floodgates for hundreds of illegals each day.”

The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, became a flash point for discontent this summer after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.

Epping Forest District Council won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.

But the Court of Appeal last week overturned the injunction after an Home Office appeal.

Lee Anderson added: “Starmer makes hollow claims while refusing to close Epping. Hypocrite.”

Carpenter Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Loughton, Essex, has been handed an eight-week suspended prison sentence by Chelmsford JPs after admitting assaulting a police officer at a Bell Hotel demo on Friday.

PM’S ‘PRIDE’ IN FLAG

PM SIR Keir Starmer yesterday declared himself a “supporter of flags” — and revealed he still proudly displays a St George’s Cross in his flat.

He dismissed claims that showing off England’s ensign should be seen as racist, telling BBC Five Live: “I am the leader of the Labour Party who put the Union Jack on membership cards.

“I always sit in front of the Union Jack. I’ve been doing it for years, and it attracted a lot of comment when I started doing it.” He said he bought his England flag for last year’s Euros football.

The flag debate reignited after councils in the West Midlands and Tower Hamlets tried to remove the St George’s Cross from lamp posts and motorway bridges over claims they intimidated minorities.

The PM added: “They’re patriotic and a great symbol of our nation. I don’t think they should be devalued and belittled.”

Murder accused can stay

EXCLUSIVE by MIKE SULLIVAN

A CAKE shop owner can remain in Britain despite being wanted for murder in his home country.

Carlos Kassimo Dos Santos, 33, was jailed for 14 years in his absence in 2016 over a gang killing in Portugal.

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An extradition bid failed when the High Court upheld a decision by a district judge to allow Santos to remain here.

It was deemed Santos, who denies involvement in the 2010 murder, could not be guaranteed a retrial and it could not be proved he fled justice to come here.

He is now co-owner of Kings & Queens Dessert outlet, set up three years ago in Leeds.

It recently won The Best Dessert Shop in West Yorkshire award.

Santos was 18 when he was accused of being part of a group who killed a gang rival near Lisbon.

He then spent two years in the army before coming to Britain, where his dad lives.

He said he was unaware he was jailed and did not know he had to notify authorities of his address change.

He refused to comment when approached.

THREE protesters have been arrested after a police officer was punched in a busy shopping centre.

Masked demonstrators became “aggressive” as a peaceful protest took place on the Isle of Dogs, central London, this afternoon.

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Police said that a small group made their way into the Canary Wharf shopping centre before becoming hostile towards officers.

Following the unrest, cops ordered crowds to remove their masks under Section 60 AA and called in reinforcements.

A Section 35 was also put in place, forcing demonstrators to leave the area.

Shocking footage on social media showed cops tackling protesters to the ground.

The Met confirmed arrests had been made for common assault, possession of drugs and assault on police.

In a statement, the force said: “We have been facilitating peaceful anti-asylum protest on the Isle of Dogs this afternoon.

“Protesters, including some masked, moved into the Canary Wharf shopping centre where a small group became aggressive towards cops.

“We are aware there are young children in the protest area.

“While we deal with any criminality our officers are ensuring the safety of them is paramount.

“One of our officers was punched in the face – luckily they have not suffered significant injury.”

Yesterday, five people were arrested after demonstrators tried to force their way into a migrant hotel in West Drayton, west London.

The Met said a group of masked men attempted to force their way into the Crowne Plaza hotel following peaceful protests.

Nationwide protests were sparked after the landmark ruling to boot migrants out of the Bell Hotel in Essex was overturned.

Epping Forest District Council last week won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.

The temporary injunction meant that the building has to be cleared of its occupants by September 12.

But on Friday, the Court of Appeal overturned the injunction following an appeal by the Home Office and hotel owners Somani.

The latest ruling means the migrants can stay where they are for the time being.

And demonstrations have since continued to spread, with 19 councils vowing to take legal action to boot asylum seekers out of hotels.

The hotel in Essex, has been at the centre of protests after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.

Angie Claire, 56, who has five grandchildren aged under seven, was protesting outside the building on Friday night.

She told the Sun: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting for the safety of the children in the area.

“I’ve got nothing against immigrants but when they’re causing trouble and problems with our children, they need to be moved on.

“I think they should go home. Why should our government be funding all of this? I think it’s disgusting.

“My children grew up here and they were safe. We never had a worry in the world.

“Now there’s a fear of our children even walking out the front doors so I think it’s best they go.”

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JOEY ESSEX returns to the big screens once again TONIGHT… but not for a reality TV show!

The TOWIE legend will be making his highly anticipated boxing debut on the Misfits 22 card against Portuguese influencer Numeiro.

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Joey, 35, was in line to feature on Misfits Boxing’s ‘super card’ in Qatar last November against KSI’s brother Deji.

But it fell through with Joey featuring on season 11 of Love Island instead.

Fast forward a year later, Essex is set to face Numeiro who has a little bit of experience in the ring.

However, the Portuguese star lost his only career fight – a 2023 sixth round stoppage by Kalin Simeonov.

And despite it being Joey’s first-ever boxing bout, he’ll feel confident with his uncle and legendary coach Tony Simms in his corner who is known for his incredible work with British icon Conor Benn.

SunSport can provide fans with all the details ahead of this intriguing clash.

When is Joey Essex vs Numeiro?

• Joey Essex vs Numeiro will take place TONIGHT – Saturday, August 30.
• Ring-walk times for this huge fight are yet to be confirmed but reports suggest that the fight could start around 9pm BST.
• The main card will get underway at 7pm BST, while the main event between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold is expected at 11pm BST.
• Manchester’s AO Arena is the chosen venue and it can host approximately 21,000 fans.

Misfits 22 – All the info

MISFITS boxing is back for an absolutely massive card this weekend.

The a huge event comes from the AO Arena in Manchester, with the night starring a mix of UFC legends, Misfits icons – and two TOWIE stars!

Ring of Thrones, as the night has been dubbed, is headlined by a meeting of two former UFC stars in Darren Till and Luke Rockhold.

Former UFC champ Tony Ferguson is also making his debut for the promotion and puts his legacy on the line against Salt Papi, who has impressed in the ring and won his last three fights by TKO.

A packed night sees reality TV star cousins Joey Essex and Demi Sims make their boxing debuts.

Demi’s dad Tony has trained the likes of Anthony Joshua and Conor Benn and is Matchroom Sport’s head coach.

MMA upstart Dillon Danis is also back on the card, as well as Misfits regulars such as Ty Mitchell, Chase DeMoor and Amir Anderson.

Here’s everything you need to know about the night…

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM MISFITS 22 LIVE ON DAZN

Info

Latest news

What TV channel is Joey Essex vs Numeiro on and can it be live streamed?

Joey Essex vs Numeiro will be available to watch exclusively on DAZN.

There are three options for a DAZN subscription, Annual – either paying a one-off fee or monthly – and a monthly option. 

An annual pass can be purchased for £119.99 in the United Kingdom. That’s just £2.30 per week or 65p per fight (based on 185 fight nights per year).

A monthly flexible pass is priced at £24.99 per month, which can be cancelled at any time.

A subscription allows you to watch every live event and all on-demand programming on DAZN

A DAZN subscription costs:

• Annual Super Saver: £119.99 annually
• Monthly Saver (12-month deal): £14.99 per month
• Monthly Flexible pass (cancel any time): £24.99 per month

Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action as it happens.

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Who else is on the card?

Darren Till and Luke Rockhold headline Misfits 22 for a huge MFB bridgerweight title fight.

And fans will get to see Salt Papi in action once again when he takes on Tony Ferguson.

What has been said?

Numeiro has not been impressed with Joey Essex’s sparring videos.

The Portuguese influencer said: “I saw a couple of videos of him boxing and sparring and I do not know if he was trying to look bad on purpose to like not scare me away.

“That was genuinely a question in my head because I do not know the guy. I do not know if he fought as a kid. I saw a couple of videos and they looked really bad.

“Hopefully, he was not playing me. If that was the real him, I am confident I will beat him up.”

POLICE are urgently searching for two women who “may be together” after they vanished months ago.

Lorna Nightingale, 70, was last seen in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in February while Emma Nightingale, 36, has not been seen since being spotted in Colchester, Essex, in June.

Cops said it is known that both women have connections to Essex, suggesting that they may have travelled there.

Suffolk Police added that officers believed the women “may be together.”

Both women are from Lowestoft, cops said.

Lorna is described as being 5ft 2in tall, of a slim build, with short grey hair.

Emma is described as 5ft 8 in tall, with mousey-coloured long hair.

If you have seen Lorna or Emma, or have any information about them, contact police by calling 999.

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IT’S 3am at The Red Lion pub in Gatwick Airport and British Gas field engineer Sam Singleton is in a French maid’s outfit, waving a feather duster and clutching a pint of Guinness.

His 17-strong stag group is having the typical pre-flight drinks that have become a rite of passage for Brits jetting off abroad.

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While many pubs are struggling to survive during the cost-of-living crisis, those operating at UK airports are reporting that business is on the up and up.

And it’s not just plentiful food offerings and the sociable atmosphere that are bringing in travellers in droves — terminal pubs remain one of the only places where it is socially acceptable to have a pint at 5am.

Sam, 34, from Crawley, West Sussex, says: “I’m dressed like this because I’m getting married in four weeks to my beautiful fiancee, Erin.

“We’ve had a few drinks and a really good laugh. I couldn’t imagine starting a stag in any other way, to be honest.”

The Sun on Sunday spent 24 hours at JD Wetherspoon’s The Red Lion in Gatwick’s North Terminal to see why Britain’s airside bars are hitting new heights.

This is what we found . . . 

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Nicole Briggs, 29, from    Essex, is heading to the Greek island of Mykonos to celebrate her birthday, wearing a pink cowboy hat and matching sash.

Her pal Danielle Grimes, 30, also from Essex, tells us: “Having drinks at this time is just the law of the airport. It’s the only way to do it.”

On the other side of the pub, siblings Alicia, Adan, 17, and Heart Evanelio, 20, from Medway, Kent, are tucking into an early-morning breakfast before they fly to Basel, Switzerland, with 20 family members.

Alicia, 27, says: “We come here because the food is always good. It’s affordable, comfortable, welcoming and the staff are fantastic.”

05:00   

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 Another stag party has    arrived. Robert, James, Jay, Jimmy and John are in their 30s and from different parts of the UK, but they are all flying to Benidorm.

Robert says: “There will be 28 altogether and we’ve had a fantastic day and night already.”

Jay adds: “We came to Wetherspoons because it’s better value and you know exactly what you are getting.”

06:00   

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 Actor David Green, 58,    from Brighton, and Sam Peters, 52, from Croydon, South London, clink pint glasses, having only just met.

Sam says: “The Red Lion is very different to the average pub where people are scared to strike up a conversation with strangers. No-one bats an eyelid here.”

07:00    

Factory worker Jay Law,    34, and Sasha Cross, 35, from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, are going to Malta for the weekend.

They eat eggs Benedict and drink coffee with Guinness and a bourbon. Jay says: “It is the rule at airports — have a proper drink with your brew.”

08:00  

 Broker Lorna Stevens, 42,    and special educational needs worker Amanda Sargent, 38, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, met in their local pub 20 years ago.

They are drinking pink gin and tonic before flying to Marrakech, and Amanda says: “We always take a photo of ourselves at The Red Lion — the start of the holiday, the obligatory picture.”

09:00   

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Team   leader and    mum- of-two Megan Gardner, 23, from Crawley, West Sussex, does four seven-hour shifts a week at The Red Lion.

She says: “I haven’t a bad word to say about working here — that’s why I’ve been here seven years.”

10:00  

Tasha Clements, 28, from    Horsham, West Sussex, has been a bar worker at The Red Lion for two years.

She says: “Every day someone makes the same joke — ‘It’s five o’clock somewhere!’. And it is.”

11:00  

 Jhonny Da Corte has  been    the pub’s kitchen chief leader for five years. He is overseeing 13 people today.

Venezuelan Jhonny, 30, from West London, says: “We go through around 20,000 eggs per week.

“Our most popular dish in the morning will be our traditional breakfast and, at lunch, burgers take over as the top sellers.”

12:00 

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  Spandau Ballet star Steve Norman has popped into The Red Lion ahead of a gig in Leipzig, Germany, with his new band, The Sleevz.

Over a pint of Doom Bar, he opens up about his ambition to reunite the band.

Steve, 65, says: “It would be great, before one of us pops our clogs, to be in a room together at the very least — and maybe, who knows, do a last farewell tour.”

13:00  

 Dad Zesh Sadique,    46, and    his wife Sadia are en route to Bodrum, Turkey, for four days with their children, Zidane, eight, and Arya, three.

Tucking into fish and chips, Sadia, 37, from London, says: “We came here because there is a great range of food. We’ll be back.”

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Electrician John    Penny, 38,    and his wife Lucy, who live near Crowborough, East Sussex, are celebrating their first child-free holiday in 12 years.

They’re off to sunny Palma, Majorca, and John is celebrating with a pint, while community helper Lucy, 35, is content with a Pepsi.

She says: “We always come here with the kids, too. You order on an app, so it’s easy.”

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Beccie    Simms, 47, and her    nine-year-old neurodivergent twins Poppy and Ethan are having pizza and chips before flying to Crete.

Maternity ward worker Beccie, from Surrey, says: “This suits the twins. It is relaxed and has a great choice of food. The twins are very picky!”

16:00   

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Portsmouth students    Poppy Davinport, Hannah Wilson and Alice Richardson, all 21, together with Millie Parker, 20, are heading to Majorca.

They are drinking Proseccos, gin and tonics and apple juices. Millie says: “The plan is to get tanned, drink and eat lots of paella.”

17:00   

Londoners Olivia Moris-Brown, 19, who works for M&S, and her partner Jason Pham, a 20-year-old insurance broker, are off to Pisa in Italy to celebrate their sixth anniversary.

Tucking into chips and curry sauce, a spicy Korean chicken bowl and fish and chips, Jason says: “We love Spoons, we are fans. The food is always banging.”

18:00   

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Guinness-drinking Leon    Ojukwu, 43, from East London, and his wife Abbie, 40, are primary school teachers.

They’re celebrating their tenth anniversary in Majorca with kids Esme, eight, and Zac, five. Abbie, who has had a Prosecco, says: “We always come here before a flight.

“Everyone has a smile on their face, the drinks come quickly and you don’t need to dress up.”

19:00   

Ian Gordon, 62, is waiting    for the Inverness flight, heading home to Lhanbryde, Moray, after a work trip.

Tucking into a ham and mushroom pizza, the salmon fisherman says: “The Guinness is good at Wetherspoons.

“I just came back from Iceland — you’re paying at least double for a pint there.”

20:00 

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Wearing a sparkly hat,    facilities manager Nicola Sandhu is heading to Vilamoura, Portugal, with nine friends for her 40th.

Nicola, from Bexleyheath, Kent, says: “We’ve got wines, Prosecco and lemon spritzes, nachos, fish and chips and an ultimate burger to set our trip off on the right note.”

21:00   

Five pint-sipping friends    from Selsey, West Sussex, are en route to party capital Prague in the Czech Republic.

Yet NHS service manager Mike Brooks, chef Ryan O’Hara, builder Riley Evans, all 25, carpenter Jenson Holden, 20, and carer Will Jenkinson, 26, insist they are “going to see the local sights”.

Riley says: “We will be in bed by 10pm, reading our Kindles.”

22:00   

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Teaching assistant Millie Horner and HR worker Bella Caesar, both 21, from Hedge End, Hampshire, are eating chicken strips and are on their third round of vodka lemonade and rum and Coke.

They got here early for their Ibiza flight and Millie says: “It’s a debrief before the main event begins.”

23:00   

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The passengers have all  gone, and now The Red Lion worker Holly Taplin, 19, from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, is mopping up after a long shift.

She says: “I am a bar associate, which means I host, clean, serve, make drinks — the whole lot.”

00:00   

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Ollie Wilcox, 29, from    Crawley, West Sussex, is a shift manager at the pub.

He says: “We stay open until the last flight goes, then we get ready for the morning shift.

“Passengers start coming through at 2am, and by 4am, the pub’s chock-a-block — there is a queue all the way down to WHSmith.”

DOZENS of residents have been evacuated from their homes in a popular seaside town while firefighters tackle a major blaze.

Emergency crews rushed to attend the building fire in Clacton, Essex, in the early hours this morning.

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Locals have been advised to keep their windows and doors shut as plumes of smoke rise from the building on West Avenue.

Teams from seven local fire stations, including Weeley, Colchester and Chelmsford, were scrambled to the scene at around 12.35am.

Essex Fire Brigade confirmed the building was still fully alight just before 5am.

Incident Commander Nick Singleton said: “Crews have worked hard to surround the fire.

“We will be remaining here for a significant time during the day to make sure the fire is fully extinguished.

“Jackson Road, Penfold Road and Agate Road will be shut and experience disruption while our crews remain at the incident. 

“Thank you to our emergency services colleagues who have helped us safety evacuate nearby residents.” 

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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MAURA Higgins has revealed her stunning living room makeover at her £1.15m mansion in Essex.

The Irish beauty, who bought the property in October, has been taking her time with the interior, waiting for the right furniture to put her stamp on it.

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She seemed right at home in a new video, making bolognese in her modern kitchen before enjoying it in the open plan sitting area.

Settling in to watch And Just Like That on her wall-mounted TV, Maura rested her bowl of food on a beige pouffe that also housed a diffuser and scented candle.

The space includes matching sofas, a fluffy bean bag, throws and a black marble floor.

Maura, who is reportedly worth £3.2m, wrote on her Instagram account dedicated to the property: “I finally have sofas!!!!!! @rowenhomes I can not thank you enough for these beautiful Boucle Sofas….

“My first weekend cooking in my new home & having my first piece of furniture has made it so perfect and cosy.”

She added that all of the furniture had been gifted to her.

Her followers were impressed with the stylish set up, with one commenting: “It’s really looking like a lovely home. Well done Maura they’re nothing like the feeling of owning your own home.”

Another said: “It’s starting to look really cosy.”

A third wrote: “Wow! It looks gorgeous!”

Maura has dubbed her five-bedroom detached home in a gated development, Casa A’Maura after the second villa on the show Love Island.

The TV star found fame on the series in 2019, alongside her best pal Molly-Mae Hague.

The 34-year-old’s new Instagram account has amassed over 70,000 followers and in her first post, Maura shared that she had finally moved into the new space.

The light-filled kitchen opens up seamlessly into the back garden with the help of bi-folding glass patio doors.

The large garden features both a patio and a lawn and is fenced all around with some guaranteed extra privacy guaranteed from the large bushes all around the properties.

It has two reception rooms and five “generously-sized” double bedrooms with one as a master bedroom that features an en-suite and custom-built wardrobes.

When she bought the property, Maura called it her “dream home” and also treated herself to a £60,000 Porsche too.

Her previous home was targeted by masked thieves, and the incident left Maura shaken.

A source said in 2023: “Neighbours caught it all on CCTV and it was chilling to see three masked men ram through the gates and start trying to break into cars.”

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July 13 (UPI) — London Southend Airport in Essex said it is closed until further notice following a small plane crash on Sunday.

“All flights to and from the Airport have been canceled while Police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident,” the airport said in a statement.

Essex Police, Southend District, said in a statement that it received a report shortly before 4 p.m. BST of a collision involving a 39-foot aircraft at the airport, located about 45 miles east of London.

It was unclear if there were any casualties, but the East of England Ambulance Service said in a statement that four ambulances, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars, a rapid response and a Herts Air Ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

The circumstances surrounding the crash were also unclear.

“We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why,” Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said in a statement.

“In these very early stages, it is vital we gather the information we need and continue supporting the people of Essex.”

London Southend Airport has described the crash as “a serious incident.”

David Burton-Sampson, Labour member of parliament for Southend West and Leigh, which includes the airport, said he is aware of the incident.

“Please keep away and all the emergency services to do their work,” he said in a statement on X. “My thoughts are with everyone involved.”

ESSEX is set to be the proud owner of the world’s largest inflatable obstacle course.

Braintree Village will be the home to an action-packed activity area and assault course – just in time for the summer holidays (and questionable weather).

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Named The Monster, people can take on the huge obstacle course from Saturday 19th July to Sunday 31st August.

Based in the Essex shopping outlet, the area will be transformed into a giant playground with 300 metres of inflatable fun for everyone.

You’ll find more than 40 obstacles including the 18-metre Mega Slide, the chaotic Exterminator and the House of Hell.

The Monster has toured Canada and the USA – plus has had sell-out events at London’s Alexandra Palace and Birmingham’s NEC.

The gigantic arena – which is the biggest of its kind in the area – is welcome to people of all ages.

Guests can take part in daytime sessions for families and youngsters.

Plus adult-only evening experiences with street food and drink available to enhance a festival vibe.

Josef O’Sullivan, Centre Director at Braintree Village, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome The Monster to Braintree Village this summer.

“It’s such a unique, exciting attraction that will bring something totally new to the area.

“We’ve seen such a positive reaction to the recent limited-run activities that we have brought to the outlet, and we’re certain that this is going to be the most hotly anticipated event yet.

“We look forward to sharing more details about The Monster soon – it’s set to be an unforgettable summer at Braintree Village.”

Ticket prices and sessions will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Children must be aged 6 years or 1-metre tall to take part.

Guests are encouraged to sign up to the outlet’s member rewards club, PLUS+, for priority access to tickets and exclusive announcements.

The exciting summer news follows a range of fresh stores opening at the outlet.

Shoppers have gone wild for Essex’s first ever Crocs store, Joules and Belstaff.

For more sensory overload and stimulation, Haribo’s first flagship UK store can be found round the corner in Kent‘s Bluewater.

Its Bluewater debut is Haribo’s first store in the UK that is outside of a designer shopping outlet.

The brand already has 10 locations across factory destinations in the likes of Ashford and Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.

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HOBBYCRAFT will shut nine stores in days with huge closing down sales launched.

Sites across Bristol, Dunstable, Borehamwood and Basildon are all set to close on June 21, The Sun can reveal.

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A further two sites in Essex and one in Gloucestershire are also set to close, with a site in Kent closing earlier this year.

The impacted stores are part of at least nine Hobbycraft stores that have been earmarked for closure this year.

News of the closures has come as a blow to locals in the area, with Bristol residents describing it as a “shame”.

While another said the store would be missed and they needed to find another “rainy day activity”.

A Kent local said: “Oh noooooo it’s the only one I go to regularly as the rest are too far away!”.

Another resident said they would “need therapy” following news of the closure.

Closing down sales have also been launched across the stores, with up to 70% off on some items.

It comes as new owner Modella Capital is launching an overhaul after buying Hobbycraft in August last year.

Modella also agreed to purchase WHSmith’s high street business earlier this year.

The move is set to impact between 72 and 126 jobs.

It is said the shake-up will help secure the future of 99 stores and around 1,800 jobs across the arts and crafts business.

You can check out the full list of stores earmarked for closure below.

• Canterbury, Kent – closed 
• Basildon, Essex – June 21
• Borehamwood, Hertfordshire – June 21
• Bristol, Imperial Retail Park – June 21
• Dunstable, Bedfordshire – June 21 
• Epping Forest, Essex – June 21
• Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex – June 21
• Cirencester, Gloucestershire  -June 21
• Bagshot, Surrey – June 21

OTHER STORE CLOSURES

Hobbycraft is not the only retailer facing hard times.

Up to 11 Original Factory Shops stores are to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria.

Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been put up for sale.

It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss-making stores having to close as result.

You can see the full list of store closures here:

• Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire – June 26
• Perth – June 28
• Chester Le Street, County Durham – June 28
• Arbroath, Angus – June 28
• Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire – June 28
• Pershore, Worcestershire – June 28
• Normanton, West Yorkshire – June 28
• Peterhead, Aberdeenshire – June 28
• Shaftesbury, Dorset – June 28
• Staveley, Cumbria – July 12
• Middlewich – TBC

The following stores are also up for sale:

• Nairn
• Market Drayton
• Troon
• Blairgowrie
• Castle Douglas

It comes after pivate equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop back in February and has since launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 TOFS stores.

At the end of April, Modella drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for TOFS.

Companies often use CVAs to prevent insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business.

They allow firms to explore different strategies such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords.

Mersea Island, located in Essex, is a popular destination for holidays and family days out – but many visitors may miss out on the ‘hidden gems’ of the East side

Mersea Island, with its rich history, tranquil ambience and stunning views, is a favourite spot for holidays and family outings. Despite its small size, housing around 7,000 residents, visitors are often spoilt for choice on which part to explore.

The island is divided into East and West, with the latter traditionally attracting more tourists due to its well-developed infrastructure, including a variety of shops, pubs and restaurants. However, those in search of ‘hidden gems’ and willing to venture off the beaten path will find East Mersea a delight.

READ MORE: ‘I made one change to my meals and lost weight, felt fuller and cut down my caffeine’

Located at the easternmost tip of the island, further from the mainland and the main road linking Mersea to the Essex coast, it feels more secluded.

This remoteness can make East Mersea seem less accessible than West Mersea, which is nearer to the causeway. But its limited amenities make it an attractive destination for those seeking a more secluded, nature-centric experience.

It’s home to Cudmore Grove Country Park, offering beach visits, wildlife spotting, and walking trails, reports Essex Live. East Mersea Flat Nature is a hit among adventurous walkers and explorers. Mind your step, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenes.

Additionally, East Mersea boasts the Essex Outdoors activity centre and the Mersea Island Vineyard, adding to its appeal.

Mersea Boating Lake, nestled on the East side, is a hit with families. Lauren H shared her delightful experience on TripAdvisor this month: “We had an amazing day out.

“The staff are sooo friendly and helpful. Great fun! Thank you. We will be back…hopefully when the sun is shining.”

Dining options on the East side aren’t lacklustre either, with The Dog and Pheasant East Mersea, Mersea Barns Shop and Café Restaurant, and Starkfood beckoning patrons with their culinary delights.

YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds.

Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when Carey Mulligan starred in a Netflix movie about the discovery, The Dig.

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But it’s not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special.

The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK’s happiest place to live by Rightmove.

Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had — I’m inclined to agree.

It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk ­border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge’s best-known hotels, The Crown.

The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs.

The property’s position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops.

Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance.

We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas.

A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business.

Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife’s colourful handmade shades.

If we weren’t convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat.

We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel.

Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too.

The Crown’s restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night.

If you ever tire of the hotel’s jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won’t need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge.

I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic.

Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami.

The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why.

The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast.

My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug.

Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge’s River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored.

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Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander.

The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years.

We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland.

This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water’s edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees.

While we didn’t get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening.

It’s thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory.

The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed.

After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK.

And it’s just as great to visit.

It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . . 

A POPULAR high street name is set to make a dramatic return 13 years after vanishing from UK towns and cities.

Comet, once a go-to store for electrical goods, is being brought back by online marketplace OnBuy – but this time, it’s going digital.

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The retailer, which closed all 236 of its UK branches in 2012, including popular outlets in Essex, will relaunch as an online-only platform in time for the festive season.

Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giant.

It was a household name for decades, known for its deals on TVs, washing machines, and home appliances, before financial trouble forced it into administration in 2012.

Its collapse was one of the biggest retail failures of the time, with thousands of staff losing their jobs and many shoppers left disappointed.

Now, more than a decade later, there’s fresh hope for fans of the iconic brand.

OnBuy’s boss, Cas Paton, said he’s determined to restore Comet’s former glory.

“I am so excited, so thrilled. Growing up, I went to Comet to get what I needed.

“It was a brand that was close to me personally,” he said.

The relaunch won’t see the return of physical shops, but the digital revival promises a wide range of electronics, from big names to emerging tech brands.

OnBuy plans to use its marketplace model to connect shoppers directly with manufacturers, offering better prices and more variety.

Paton added: “We will be ultra competitive and undercut Currys and Amazon.”

He believes OnBuy’s modern approach and Comet’s strong heritage will help win over UK customers.

A significant portion of the £10 million investment will go towards building the Comet website and boosting its technology.

Around 50 new jobs are expected to be created as part of the relaunch effort.

Paton, who started his first business with just £80 after serving in the Royal Navy, said the brand’s revival is about more than nostalgia.

“We’re not just reviving a name; we’re reimagining what trusted electronics retail looks like in a digital-first economy,” he said.

OnBuy, which launched in 2016 and is now worth around £200 million, hopes to turn Comet into a major online player.

The relaunch comes at a time when more consumers are shopping online and seeking alternatives to big-name retailers.

Shoppers can expect a mix of old and new when Comet returns, with the website promising:

“We’re reviving the brand you love to bring you the best tech, brands, and deals worth waiting for.”

Although the high street stores won’t reopen, many still have fond memories of browsing the aisles at their local Comet.

For those in Essex and beyond, the return of the name, even online, is sure to stir a sense of retail nostalgia.

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The swan fountain and the Mistley Towers are the only remaining physical reminders of an ambitious plan to turn the town of Mistley into a saltwater spa in the 18th century

At first glance, the charming riverside town of Mistley in Essex might not seem particularly remarkable. However, two enduring symbols of an ambitious yet ultimately failed 18th-century project to transform the town into a saltwater spa still exist – the swan fountain and the Mistley Towers.

According to English Heritage, Richard Rigby’s father accumulated significant wealth and influence when he was appointed Paymaster General of the Forces by George III in 1786. Back then, the village of Mistley consisted of warehouses, a granary, a malting office, quays and a medieval church – only the porch of which survives to this day.

READ MORE: Dermatologist approved skincare brand from Yorkshire that ‘clears skin in a week’

There was also a more recent church, built to the north of the village in 1735 at the request of Rigby’s father. However, when Rigby dreamt up his grand plan to turn Mistley into a fashionable spa, the simple brick structure of the church didn’t fit with his vision.

Initially, Rigby commissioned Robert Adam to design a saltwater bath by the river, but this idea never materialised. Instead, the architect was assigned to work on the church around 1776, reports Essex Live.

In a departure from the norm, Adam’s design broke away from the traditional 18th-century parish church blueprint, featuring towers at both the east and west ends and semi-circular porticoes to the north and south.

It’s been suggested that Adam may have drawn inspiration from Roman tombs, giving the structure an unusual flair. Regrettably, Rigby’s grand plans to turn Mistley into a bustling spa destination never came to fruition.

The central part of the church was demolished in 1870, making way for a newer, trendier place of worship nearby.

Despite the original plans falling through, the remaining towers found a new purpose as a “seamark” and were sold off to local families who had aspirations of converting them into opulent mausoleums.

Yet, this idea too did not take hold, and over time, the towers were left to deteriorate. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the towers saw a revival, thanks to architect Raymond Erith and the efforts of the Georgian Group, who meticulously restored them.

The surrounding churchyard is peppered with monuments dating from the early to mid-18th century, including an eye-catching polished black granite mausoleum in the Egyptian style, erected in memory of the Norman family.

Bell Wharf Beach in Leigh-on-Sea is just a 10-minute walk from the train station and offers a much more tranquil experience compared to Southend’s bustling beaches

Hidden away on the Thames Estuary, nestled amongst cobbled streets and historic cockle sheds, Bell Wharf Beach is touted as ‘Essex’s best-kept secret’. This charming Leigh-on-Sea beach offers a more tranquil experience compared to the bustling sands of nearby Southend, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely summer walk.

Just a ten-minute stroll from Leigh’s train station, Old Leigh welcomes visitors with a sandy haven surrounded by delightful cafes, traditional pubs, and enticing shops. It’s a place where you can watch fishing boats bring in their catch, which is later served up fresh in the local restaurants.

READ MORE: Dermatologist approved skincare brand from Yorkshire that ‘clears skin in a week’

One establishment worth noting is Osborne Bros, tucked away in an old stable mews near the original cockle sheds. This family-run business has been serving freshly prepared seafood since the 1880s.

Directly across from Osborne Bros is the Crooked Billet, a cosy pub with history dating back to the late 16th century. Other attractions near the beach include The Mayflower, The Peterboat, and Sara’s Tea Garden, reports Essex Live.

Bell Wharf Beach is also just a short hop from the Two Tree Island Nature Reserve, a sanctuary where summer visitors might spot butterflies, voles, and kestrels flying overhead.

For those travelling by car, Victoria Wharf Car Park offers convenient paid parking right next to the beach. Leigh-on-Sea has scooped up more praise, this time from Muddy Stilettos, bagging the title of Essex’s best place to live.

They paint a picture of a town brimming with “Industrial-style coffee houses, boutique bars and a sandy shoreline lined by characterful cockle sheds.

“Leigh-on-Sea is Southend’s smaller, trendier sister and thanks to a steady stream of relocating Londoners over the years, it’s managed to blend its small-town-seaside charm with on-trend hospitality offerings.

“Yes, there’s even an artisan vegan-friendly gelato house and it doesn’t come much more ‘Shoreditch of Essex’ than that.”