Essex coast - any hot recommendations?

[littlesthobo]

Have a teatime appointment this weekend in Colchester and am looking to entertain DSs (rising 4 and 14 months nearby . Pretty much any stretch of sand will captivate, but just wondered if anyone knows of any gems we should be heading to. Thanks!

Frinton or Mersea Island are good bets (although Mersea is a stonier beach) Check the tide times though. Frinton is good for scooting down the prom!
Castle Park is nice if you don't want to travel to the coast.

Frinton is lovely sandy beach. Do check tide times, I think it may be completely under water at high tide.

If the tides are high, there's pretty much always some beach near Clacton pier. Its not the loveliest place in the world but kids that age aren't usually too fussy and (if they've not seen one before) may find the pier interesting.

Thanks guys - have been to Mersea island before and had smashing time, so will check tide times. So romantic/painful that you can get cut off from the mainland there!

Thought I would add that Frinton was a hit with everyone! Great beach for children and a mean pizza at Cafe 19. Thanks for all suggestions.