Day out on East Coast

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nmeyrick

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Thought I may be able to draw on the experience of the forum to help me out. It's my birthday this coming weekend, and as a treat SWMBO is taking me for a day out of my choice. This will inevitably involve hanging around near the water, probably looking at boats and ideally will be capped with a nice seafood dinner. To give you an idea of the sort of thing I'm looking for last year we visited West Mersea and had lunch at the oyster shed, and over the summer we had a cracking day at Whitstable.

I am pretty well acquainted with the south coast, but my experience of the east coast is still pretty much limited to the above, so I'd like to expand it further.

So the question is where would you recommend for a day out? I don't have a car, so reasonably accessible from London by train is important. I have an idea of either Burnham or Maldon for boat browsing, or Southend for more sea.

Any comments on these, or other suggestions much appreciated, also any recommendations for places to eat would be great. Needn't be anything fancy but good, fresh seafood is ideal.

Thanks
 
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The Company Sheds at West Mersea is great for food. As is the May Bush Inn at Waldringfield. Maldon is good for boats but would suggest Blue Strawberry at Hatfield Peverel, Chequers at Goldhanger, Bull at Great Totham are all to be recommended for food.
 
Might I suggest Ipswich? There are two marinas to walk round and you could book a variety of boats trips which take you down the River Orwell, which is very scenic, and down to the sea. The Loch Fyne Sea Food restaurant is close to Neptune Marina. Wherever you go, have a great time.
 
What about a trip on Lady Florence from Orford?
They do brunch, lunch or dinner cruises about 2 hrs each. Not bad nosh and watch the mudflats go by. Need to book.
 
MoodySabre said:
I'd give Southend a miss.

How about Harwich? A wander round the old town, a walk to the Redoubt (open Sundays this time of year) - lunch or dinner in the Pier Hotel may not be oysters etc but it is very nice. The Maritime Heritage trail.
Click to expand...

Harwich would be a good choice. The foot ferry then also gives him access to Shotley and Felixstowe.
 
Ever thought of Faversham, fascinating old town with many interesting old boats and TSBs.

Nearby Harty Ferry, Oare Village and Creek and the Shipwrights Arms at Hollow Shore, all well-worth a visit.
 
Thanks for all the great suggestions, I'm veering towards somewhere with more sea, and Harwich sounds good even without the ferry. The other option I've seen which would be a similar travelling time is Walton on the Naze, can anyone comment on the various delights of the two towns?

Thanks
Neil
 
Go for Harwich.

Walton is great to sail to (the backwaters are wonderful, but best seen from a boat), and the seafront is OK, but the town is otherwise a bit depressing, and the nice boaty bits are a long walk away.
 
I'll change my vote to Harwich also. I missed your comment about needing rail access.
If you can, try to walk round to the East side towards the Breakwater or Beacon Hill or even as far as Dovercourt.
It's easy to miss that area but the views are worth the effort.
 
Agree with the other comments with regard to Walton - bit depressing in the winter and Harwich has a lot more to offer - but not many boats!
You will undoubtedly see a few very large container vessels across the water in Felixstowe but if you want to generally nose around looking at small boats you will not get much joy in Harwich in November.
Cannot fault it for full-blown sea access though :-)

Reason I suggested Woodbridge was it's similarities to Maldon but with rail access. Small yards, lots of boats, plenty of places to eat ...
Also interesting tide-mill and Sutton Hoo nearby.

and as HW is at lunchtime on Saturday there'll even be some water!
 
There's not an awful lot to do in Harwich to be honest, particularly in November. Having said that I'd prefer it to Walton - agree with other comments. I stand by my suggestion of Ipswich. Lots of boats, excellent restaurants, boat trips a plenty, and easy access by rail from London.
 
I would prefer Woodbridge to either Harwich or Walton at this time of year.The station is right in the town and near the riverside with historic Tide Mill, marina and riverside walk all close by. There are also a number of good pubs and restauarants within an easy walk.

The town itself is lively with many good shops, especially dress shops if a lady is involved in the trip. :D
 
Harwich

Before venturing to Harwich, I would check very carefully what is open and what is not.
On several occasions, waiting for the ferry after a forum event I have been there trying to kill time and it was a challenge. Even in July nothing seemed to be open.
I sure other more local forumites have had better experiences, but not me :(
 
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