With so many beaches within close reach of London, those looking for a coastal escape from the city are spoilt for choice. Our neighbouring county Essex boasts some of the best and most well-known seaside towns in the country.
However, some parts of Essex often get a bad rap for high crime rates and general dilapidation, which is usually an unfair assessment. The most infamous of these is Jaywick, consistently ranked among the most deprived areas in all of England.
Originally a holiday resort for Londoners and Essex locals, Jaywick became a permanent residence for many after their homes were destroyed in the Second World War bombings. However, these houses, small and flimsy, were never meant for long-term habitation and are now in a constant state of disrepair. The state of many of the properties is reflected in the price, with the average Jaywick home selling for £171,183 in the past year according to Rightmove – that’s £515,631 less than London’s £686,814 average.
The Martello tower near Jaywick is quite imposing on the landscape
(Image: Steven Muster)
The area also faces a significant flood risk, with Tendring council warning that the sea wall can only withstand one major flood in the next 50 years. Despite its challenges, Jaywick has its charms, including beautiful beaches and a rich history.
This stretch of coastline boasts several Martello towers – small round forts built in the 19th century to defend against attacks from across the English Channel, reports EssexLive. The Jaywick Martello tower is now used as an arts venue, where visitors can enjoy a range of workshops, exhibits and events.
Undoubtedly, Jaywick’s main attraction is its beach. the pristine sands and stunning swimming bays on the beach are arguably Jaywick’s best-kept secret. It’s all too easy to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a beach by its reputation – but Jaywick’s beach is a gem that defies the ‘deprived’ stereotype, with plenty of charming features.
While most of Jaywick is made up of residential properties and caravans, there are a few top-rated spots to grab a bite to eat, too. For those with a sweet tooth, Rainy Bakes on Brooklands street comes highly recommended. One top Google reviewer beamed: “Genuinely. Why would you even look anywhere else! The cakes here are beyond anything I’ve tasted before. They are sublime. Absolutely incredible. I wish I could be more measured but I genuinely can’t. These are the best cakes I have ever tasted!!”
Another Google review shared the same opinion: “Stumbled across this little gem whilst on a weekend away in Clacton. Popped in for a tea to take away and there was so many goodies in there I had to purchase a box! The brownies are huge and extremely delicious and such good reasonable prices. Well worth a visit if you (sic) near by.”
Another highly-rated Jaywick restaurant is Pera, offering traditional Turkish cuisine. One five-star review said: “When (sic) for lunch today eating from the lunch menu. Lovely welcome, friendly staff and very clean. The food was outstanding, the best we have had outside Turkey. Can’t wait to return with all the family.”
Getting there
To get to Jaywick from London via public transport, take the Greater Anglia service from Liverpool Street to Colchester Town. From there, hop aboard the 74 ‘Seasiders’ bus to Pier Avenue in Clacton-on-Sea. Finally, take the 4 ‘Clacton Rocks’ bus to Jaywick.
If you’d rather drive, simply follow the A12 towards Colchester, followed by the A120 and A133 towards Clacton-on-Sea. Then, follow signs for Jaywick Sands.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.