Clacton-on-Sea, located in the Tendring peninsula and a district in Essex, England, is famous as a family friendly seaside resort town with an amusement arcade and other entertainments. You can reach Clacton-on-Sea by car, or the train from London Liverpool Street train station. You can also take the bus from most parts of North-East Essex cities. Due to its easy access, you can spend time at Clacton-on-Sea on a day trip or for a short holiday with kids. Check out our 10 best things to do if you plan to visit Clacton-on-Sea on a family trip.
1. Fun ride at Clacton Pier
Famous as the largest pier in the UK, Clacton Pier accommodates fun attractions with fantastic rides, from the cup and saucer ride to the legendary Stella’s Revenge for thrill seekers to enjoy.
Alongside with the amusement’s attractions, there are plenty of other activities like boat excursions, fishing, etc. You can find many choices of restaurants to eat and relax in after a day full of rides. Clacton Pier has outdoor and covered areas, which make it suitable to enjoy during sunny or rainy days in the year.
Clacton Pier
Address: No.1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QX, UK
Website: Clacton Pier
2. Strike out at Clacton Pavilion
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Centrally located by the pier overlooking the sea, Clacton Pavilion offers a variety of attractions for you to enjoy. The outdoor fun park has lots of children’s rides, a 5D Cinema to enjoy adventure movies, and an extended Crazy Golf course for adults.
The indoor part offers ten pin bowling with a large bowling area with reasonable prices, perfect to start the evening on a family fun holiday. The Armstrong’s Restaurant & Bar is available for you to enjoy while playing pool, Vegas slots, or indoor bumper cars.
Clacton Pavilion
Address: Marine Parade E, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QX, UK
Website: Clacton Pavilion
3. Name that fish game at Seaquarium
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
After those amusement rides at Clacton Pier, continue your holiday to Seaquarium. It’s a perfect place especially for small children to get up close with the sea creatures.
The Seaquarium offers a fun learning experience about the sea creatures surrounding the coastal area of Clacton-on-Sea. Some of the sea creatures include seahorses, eels, lobsters, smooth hound sharks, angelfish, the colorful parrotfish, terrapin, rays, and turtles. Even the kids can build a sandcastle using the buckets and spades provided by the Seaquarium.
Seaquarium at Clacton Pier
Address: No.1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1QX, UK
Website: Seaquarium at Clacton Pier
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4. Tons of fun at Robbie Rascal Party and Play Centre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Robbie Rascal Party and Play Centre is perfect for kids to move around and play in a safe area. It has climbing tubes, a spiral slide, an astro slide, Biff Bash bags and of course the ever-popular Ball Pool.
Separated between children under 3’s area and older children, the play centre also has an outdoor play area with seating for parents. Plus, there is a 5-star hygiene rated restaurant for you to enjoy in between playing. Robbie Rascal Party and Play Centre offers birthday parties with their Private Hire service. On weekday evenings, there is a Laser Games Party for a fun night.
Play Rascal Ltd.
Address: 28 Telford Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4LP, UK
Website: Robbie Rascal Party & Play Centre
5. Taste the real ale at The Old Lifeboat House
After a long day, make a stop at The Old Lifeboat House to try the real ale of Clacton. It’s an old pub, which consists of one square room and a beer garden at the front of the pub. The walls are filled with dozens of beer mats, which represent different beers that have previously been available for the “Real Ale” drinkers.
The building was previously a Lifeboat Station. Unfortunately, there is not much information about the building’s history. There is a new guest ale available every week. End your day like a genuine real ale drinker at The Old Lifeboat House
The Old Lifeboat House
Address: 39 Marine Parade E, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 6AD, UK
6. Bounce on cows at Hasty's Adventure Farm
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
After the modern adventure experience at amusement parks, it’s time to enjoy an adventure with animal interaction at Hasty’s Adventure Farm. There is a huge sands area where the children can enjoy playing with the diggers and trucks, tractor ride area, and there is an animal petting area where children can get up close with the animals.
The best way to enjoy Hasty’s Adventure Farm is by having a picnic day. Bring your picnic bag and enjoy a sunny day at the farm while your children enjoy the playground.
Hasty's Adventure Farm
Address: West Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1AG, UK
Website: Hasty’s Adventure Farm
7. Flying with the Push Kiting
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Another adventure experience is learning how to do kite surfing at Clacton-on-Sea. There are many types of lessons from Kite surfing, Kite buggying, Land Kite boarding, and Power Kite boarding. The instructors are registered on British Kite Surfing Association with equipment from top quality brands.
Since the activities are mostly on wind power basis, there are days where you might not be able to experience the kite surfing and have to do the land kite boarding instead. There is no age restriction to enjoy the activity. However, the equipment’s presumably limited, especially for children under 8 years old. So please check your options with the operator before you register.
Push Kiting
Address: Selsey Ave, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1NQ, UK
Website: Push Kiting
8. Family night out at Princes Theatre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Watch some shows at Princes Theatre, located inside Clacton-on-Sea Town Hall building; you will be amazed with many shows performed at Princes Theatre. From the Dinosaurs World, Robin Hood, or Music & Memories, it has shows for all ages.
Choose what you want to watch with the show schedule. You will not regret it.
Princes Theatre
Address: Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1SE, UK
Website: Princes Theatre
9. Visit the historical Jaywick Martello Tower
Visit the historical Jaywick Martello Tower, one of the Martello Towers built to defend the country from the Napoleon Bonaparte invasion. There are plenty of info boards where you can learn about the history of Martello Tower, and you can climb to the top of the tower to see the cannons.
Jaywick Martello Tower is open for public and also famous for arts and as a community venue.
Jaywick Martello Tower
Address: The Promenade, Belsize Ave, St. Osyth, Jaywick CO15 2LF, UK
Website: Jaywick Martello Tower
10. A sunny day by the Clacton Beach
Take off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes at Clacton-on-Sea Beach. It has beautiful views of the lovely pier and sea front cafes, you can also enjoy relaxing by the beach, enjoying the sunny day or taking a quick dip when you feel hot.
There are also some bars open to enjoy the beach in the evening. But the beach can be very crowded in summer time. So please be sure to come early to get the best spot to enjoy the beach.
Clacton Beach
Address: Clacton-on-Sea, UK
Traditional town with a modern twist
With a mix of modern amusement arcades and traditional bowling and pool table entertainment, Clacton-on-Sea offers treasured childhood experiences and modern day activities.
A perfect destination for a long weekend break or a family holiday!
History
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