Somewhere in East England - Southend? Burnham?

[elisenbrunnen]

I have a Dartford Crossing (about £5) which I bought in October and never used. I have a year to use it. So...where to go?
I am in South England (surrey/sussex) and wondering if Southend is worth visiting? It's for a weekend jaunt, so somewhere not too far through the Dartford crossing, nice for relaxing/walking/seaside. I like an Old town. Not keen on nightclubs, pubs, amusement areas.
I've been to Ipswich, Cambridge, much of Norfolk. Where else is nice?

Am I daft to spend loads on accommodation and fuel to save my £5?

I live nearby Southend and there are mainly nightclubs, pubs and amusements so might not suit you. Leigh is nice but not for a weekend more for a day trip.

Would North Essex be too far? Manningtree is a pleasant town with shops and eateries, Dedham is beautiful. Plenty to see and do around there, both coast and countryside.

Hmm Manningtree looks do-able, and Dedham is a AONB so a possibility!

What about Clacton? Burnham? CanveyIsland? I've heard of these places, mainly as old-fashioned Holiday resorts from the 50s!

I think maybe Southend is a no.

Frinton on sea is quiet but nice .

I think you'd prefer Leigh-on-Sea to Southend. You can walk to Westcliffe too which is on the edge of Southend but not too amusmenty.

I'd drive a bit deeper into Suffolk. Aldeburgh, Iken, Orford, Bawdsey, Snape. But you're going to end up spending a packet on accommodation and fuel just to save your £5.... it's not really worth it unless you fancy a break there too.

Mersea Island is supposed to be nice.

If you like an old town what about Colchester? It's the oldest recorded town and there is a great Castle.

Leigh on Sea is lovely, you've got the small but very quaint Old Leigh, then up the hill there's the Broadway. Two Tree Island is lovely for walks. You can also walk along the seafront to Chalkwell which has a really nice beach.

Woodbridge in Suffolk would be a good place for a weekend away. A nice little town to look round, plus coast and attractions nearby. Sutton Hoo is interesting (National Trust) - have you seen the Netflix film The Dig?

Clacton / Southend are both a bit of a dump (sorry if you live there, but not the kind of place I'd choose go for a weekend away). Amusements, tacky bars and fish and chip restaurants.

Frinton is ok (unspoiled) but there is nothing much there. Walton in the Naze isn't lovely (town) but the walk round the Naze headland is quite pleasant.

I have heard better things about Leigh on Sea (in that it's a place where hipsters are moving to from London).

What do you like to do? Mersea Island in Essex is very pleasant. Also Lavenham, and Dedham are both lovely. Further afield look at Walberswick or Aldeburgh. Southwold is picturesque (but 'very pleased with itself' as my DH says 😁)

Honestly, as someone who lives in the area, I'd avoid Colchester. The Castle and Castle Park are beautiful (as a previous poster has mentioned) but the rest of the town is pretty grubby...

Thanks - I'm looking at Leigh on sea and that looks ok!

I know it's daft to save a fiver but spend a ton, but it's a 'run out' as my dp would say. We've had nothing for 3 years, and a short weekend, not too far but different from home, seems a good idea.

We've literally got a 1 or 2 night break planned, so can't go too far or spend all the time driving there or back. I love a walk along a beach, an old town/castle, a fish-and-chip supper...

Leigh is nice, nothing really in the way of beach (and if the tide is out, there is a lot of mud!), Chalkwell has a beach.

Southend, Clacton and Walton are all grubby amusements, and fish and chips. Canvey ditto, but less to see apart from acres of bungalows.

Frinton is nice for an overnight (I was there last week). Beautiful beach, but a bit of a walk to any amenities, no coffee hut/ice creams on the beach. Small high street with some independent shops and a nice bistro at the end away from the sea.

Dedham and Flatford are lovely. I've never been in the height of summer but imagine they're pretty touristy. Lovely walk along the river from Dedham to Flatford (although when the weather is wetter than it has been recently, they're not called water meadows for nothing). Nice cafe at Flatford and the Tiptree one in Dedham is good. Munnings Museum worth a look.