PEERING at Europe’s largest pleasure pier from high in the sky at the top of its big wheel, it’s easy to see why the Clacton crowds have been coming here for more than 150 years.
Sunny skies, sandy beaches, seaside snack stalls, circling seagulls and good old-fashioned family fairground fun – it’s the perfect coastal combo, just an hour and a half from the capital.
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Clacton hasn’t enjoyed the best reputation in recent years, even being crowned England’s worst seaside resort.
Telling friends we were off to the Essex coast for an Easter break drew either blank looks or bemusement.
But I found lots to love when I took my boys for a visit over the school holidays.
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Spring flowers bobbing in the sea breeze, we made our way past picturesque pleasure gardens and down to the pier, which is flanked by golden beaches on both sides.
Art deco signage and glistening white buildings welcome you in, with the Ferris Wheel standing proud by the pier entrance.
Stepping out of the sunshine and sea air into the noise and lights of the arcade can be a bit overwhelming.
So I recommend a stroll to the quieter end of the pier out to sea, where the Jolly Roger theatre still stands, to catch your breath before heading back to enjoy all the rides and attractions nearer to land.
After getting our Big Day Out Bands, we were soon whizzing down the vintage helter skelter, which has only just been rebuilt after a year-long refurb.
It’s an iconic attraction that visitors and locals look for on the pier, so the 75-year-old slide has enjoyed a warm welcome on its return.
Then it was on to the trampolines for a bounce with a beach view for my little boy and a go on the log flume for us all before heading indoors to take on the all-weather golf as a family.
The clever thing about this course is that you start off indoors and then head outside for a few holes overlooking the sea and sand, so you can enjoy the sunshine on warm days.
There’s even a little lighthouse that makes foghorn noises about halfway around to complete the coastal vibe.
I was impressed by the sheer amount of attractions packed onto the pier, with dodgems, bowling, soft play and the Jurassic Pier dino experience inside and 16 rides including rollercoasters, water rides and a waltzer outside.
Every now and again, you get a glimpse between the planks of the boardwalk and realise that you’re strolling above the sea.
What a feat of engineering to build something that can support so many heavy rides and flocks of visitors while standing in sea water for more than a century and a half!
Our wristbands, which cost £22.50 in advance or £30 in person, covered unlimited rides, excluding the go-karts, the 18 holes of Skull Point adventure golf, a turn on the big wheel, a visit to the 4d show and dino models of Jurassic Pier and arcade credits.
You can also buy rechargeable fun cards which you top up and tap to pay for rides and arcade games. Entry to the pier is free, so you only need to pay for those who want to ride or play.
We were there on the warmest day of the year so far so strolling onto the beach just a few strides from the pier was a massive bonus.
We spent time digging in the sand, enjoying a picnic and paddling in the sea before giving the Ferris Wheel a go. It was lovely to look down on all the happy holidaymakers enjoying their day below us.
Of course, there’s more to Clacton than just the pier and nearby you’ll find the Pavilion Fun Park, which also has rides, bowling and a waterpark, the Upside Down House and even the town’s own Wetherspoons, the Moon and Starfish.
If the weather isn’t great, there’s two theatres and a cinema in the town centre to keep everyone entertained. The air show on the August bank holiday weekend is a highlight of Clacton’s summer season.
If you’re arriving by car, there’s free roadside parking along the front for up to three hours or the railway station is only a short walk inland, with trains out of London Liverpool Street taking 90 minutes.
Like many seaside towns, there’s parts of Clacton that are a bit rundown, including the High Street superstore that closed in 2021 and has not yet found a new lease of life.
But with glorious gardens, a picture-perfect pier and beautiful beaches along its shoreline, Clacton certainly makes the most of its coast.
If you’re after a best-of-British bucket-and-spade trip that won’t break the bank, this star of the Sunshine Coast could be the perfect place to soak up the rays on your summer staycay.