Jaywick consistently comes up in statistics as one of the most depressing and “worst” places to live in the UK. In 2019, the village was dubbed the most deprived area in England – but it is actually home to one of Essex’s best beaches for tranquillity and sandy shores.
Some people may not like to admit it, but the town has a beach that would rival many others – not just in Essex, but across the country. The pristine sands and its gorgeous swimming bays is arguably Jaywick’s best secret.
I visited Jaywick’s beach on a chilly morning – I believe it was about 2C. Obviously, the beach was incredibly quiet, save for a few dogwalkers.
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I was completely gobsmacked about what I found. Golden sands, clean, and unspoilt by any rubbish. It really was a sight to behold, with gorgeous clean blue water, complete with a cute wind turbine farm in the background.
From what I have heard, even in the summer Jaywick’s beach is much more quiet than nearby Clacton’s. It is also pretty sizeable, and stretches along the entirety of the village.
It really was absolutely perfect
(Image: EssexLive)
Jaywick beach is also very accessible. There are plenty of car parks nearby, with one just a two minute walk from the shore, and there are plenty of seaside stores to grab some lunch or a coffee in.
I would love to return with my dog in the winter, or go sunbathing in summer. Having been to a few beaches in England, I would say that this tops every beach in Essex for sure!
Despite being absolutely perfect, the beach also has a rich history. This stretch of the coastline features a number of Martello towers, which are small round forts that were built during the 19th century to defend against attack from across the English Channel.
It is easy to judge an area based on things you have heard. But this beach defies the ‘deprived’ stereotype of Jaywick, full of pristine sands worth visiting this summer, and it is clear that residents look after their beach well.