Coast

Experience traditional seaside entertainment or discover the flavour of the sea at remote and undisturbed shores and estuaries.

Take a stroll along the world's longest pier at Southend-on-Sea or visit Leigh-on-Sea where the cockle boats can still be seen unloading their daily catch. To the north of the county, Clacton and Walton offer all the fun of the seaside with events such as the Clacton air show, summer arts trails, music festivals and carnivals.

For a more sedate pace visit Frinton-on-Sea with its fascinating boutiques and antique shops or take a relaxing trip on a Thames sailing barge from the Hythe Quay in Maldon (visit: http://www.top-sail.co.uk/  or www.wyvenhoe.co.uk)  famous for its crystal sea salt.

Suggested tours:
Maritime Essex
South Essex Culture
Mysteries & Ghosts

Coast: The journey continues

Following the huge success of Coast, the series was nominated for two BAFTAs and the book Coast: A Celebration of Britain’s Coastal Heritage for a British Book Award. Now Christopher Somerville and the Coast team return with a new book and BBC TV series to further fuel the nation’s love affair with their coastline.

Britain’s coastline – the longest in Europe – has had a profound influence on the history of the nation and the character of its people, yet many are unfamiliar with the fascinating stories and events that make it so unique.

In this book, Christopher Somerville explores the 9000 miles of the British Isles coastline, discovering its secrets – past and present – and unearthing a wealth of remarkable facts. I have pulled out just this little paragraph hoping to fuel your interest in the Essex part of the British coastline.

EUREKA!
In Roman times, Cassius Petrox, Commander of the Roman legion at Maldon, Essex, had picked up a nasty marsh ague that caused his joints to ache. His servants knew that after a hard day’s route march he liked to bathe in salt water, drawn from the Blackwater Estuary and warmed to just the right temperature to ease his pains. One day, Cassius arrived home late, looking forward to his soothing soak, to find that the fire had been kept roaring under the bath all day and the water was far too hot. The soldier was furious – until he noticed a layer of pure white crystals at the bottom of the tub. Quite by chance, they had discovered the secret of making salt from seawater.
Once his brother officers had sampled this new salt, word got around and demand soared. The lucky Commander resigned his commission and waxed prosperous as the first salt-maker in Maldon, discovering that gold was even more efficacious than warm salt water in helping him forget his aches and pains.

The BBC is offering you the chance to buy the book at the SPECIAL price of £18.00 including free UK p&p (normally retailing at £20.00). To order your copy please call 01206 255 800 and quote the reference "REAL ESSEX".