Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>With its butterscotch sands, sweeping esplanade and pastel beach huts, this pretty coastal resort is full of charm. Frinton first became popular with vacaying Londoners in the swinging 20s, when its high street was dubbed the Bond Street of East Anglia. These days it is a hub of indie boutiques, chic bistros and cool bars, with great properties and a thriving arts and culture scene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-8.jpg" alt="Avenue Bistro Frinton on Sea" class="wp-image-18524" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-8.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/Untitled-design-8-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Avenue Bistro</figcaption></figure>



<p>For an indulgent hot choc with all the trimmings head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/birdandbeanfrinton/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bird &amp; Bean</a> on trendy Connaught Avenue. Fish and chips? Obvs! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pieronefrinton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pier One</a> has cod, haddock, plaice and scampi plus lots of meat and vegan options. <a href="https://avenuebistro.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avenue Bistro</a> posts its specials on Facebook and they&#8217;re to drool over. For sumptuous cocktails head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Arnies-100076256564212/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arnies Cocktail Bar</a>; its food menu is mouth-watering too – whole lobster anyone? For a high-quality locally sourced slap-up bargain check out <a href="https://www.thecreekgreatbentley.co.uk/best-restaurant-frinton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Creek</a> in nearby Great Bentley; it has a great three-course prix fixe menu for lunch (Thurs-Sat) and dinner (Weds-Fri) for £27.95.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n.jpg" alt="East Coast Distillery gin" class="wp-image-19003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/09/118272315_307782067336967_5969897402798273645_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">East Coast Distillery</figcaption></figure>



<p>A haven of indie shops with few chains in town, Frinton is known for its gifts and homeware. If you want to turn your friends green with envy check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/limehousefrinton2014?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Limehouse Frinton</a>&#8216;s gorgeous jewellery, ceramics and home fragrances. On our radar for fashion is <a href="https://www.kittysjules.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kittys Jules</a>, and the<a href="https://eastcoastdistillery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> East Coast Distillery</a> sells its own gin (yay!). For food <a href="https://www.brookelynnefarmshop.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brook-lynne Farm Shop</a>, a 15-min drive away, sells locally sourced honey, jams, ice cream, bread, home-reared meats, and turkeys at Christmas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Medical needs are taken care of by <a href="https://www.caradocsurgery.co.uk">Caradoc Surgery</a> and nearby <a href="https://www.thorpe-le-sokensurgery.nhs.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thorpe-le-Soken Surgery</a>. For pampering, the <a href="https://www.lifehouse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lifehouse Spa</a> is on your doorstep and offers  treatments from Elemis, Temple Spa and Clarins, as well as spa breaks and gym membership. For beautification, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmmaVictoriaHair/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emma Victoria Hair</a> on Connaught Avenue offers a bargain wash and blowdry for just £15, while <a href="https://www.brown-and-white.co.uk/frinton-salon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown &amp; White</a>, also on the Avenue will take care of your nails, lashes and waxing. Sorted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Every May the town hosts the <a href="http://www.frintonfestival.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frinton Festival</a>, a long weekend of classical performances in various venues. The 2024 event had an incredible line-up including string quartets, the Barbican Piano Trio and singer-cellists playing Beethoven&#8217;s <em>Symphony No. 9</em>. Free-range kids? <a href="https://beachschoolexplorers.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beach School Explorers</a> offers loads of wholesome activities including rock pooling, scavenger hunts, beach-combing and beach and river cleans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-9.jpg" alt="Walton on the Naze pier" class="wp-image-13428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-9-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/08/Untitled-design-9-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clacton Pier</figcaption></figure>



<p>The huge greensward in Frinton is perfect for family picnics, but if you want to range wider, hit the coastal trail that weaves to Walton-on-the-Naze. It’s an easy, picturesque trail and you can explore <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/hamford-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamford Water Nature Reserve</a> en route. (Big) kids will also get a kick out of the <a href="https://www.clactonpier.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">famous pier</a> at nearby Clacton, winner of Best Family Attraction in our <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/winners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Stilettos 2024 Essex awards</a>. There are rides, 10-pin bowling, soft play, arcades – what more can you ask?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Frinton is famed for its <a href="https://www.frintonsummertheatre.org/history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer Theatre</a>, founded in 1934. The oldest surviving ‘weekly’ summer repertory theatre company in England, it runs eight productions a year during July and August.&nbsp;There&#8217;s also a pretty cool art gallery, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedriftwoodgallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Driftwood Gallery at Photovogue</a>, a contemporary, open space exhibiting a wonderful range of quirky work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Depending on location, a home in Frinton-on-Sea will set you back on average £396,762 The majority of houses bought during the last year were detached, selling for an average of £535,750. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £347,389, with flats fetching £231,666.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-19482" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/11/Untitled-design-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/11/Untitled-design-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This <a href="https://paveys.co.uk/property/little-clacton-road-great-holland-frinton-on-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seven bed beauty</a> on a one acre plot is the perfect place to call home. £990k.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Just up the road, the Ofted Outstanding <a href="https://www.frintonmontessori.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frinton Montessori</a> caters for children aged 3 – 5 yrs. The indie <a href="https://littleholland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Holland Nursery</a> is also close by and covers babies to primary school age. It offers home-cooked meals and keeps parents informed through the day through the Famly app. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.frintononsea.essex.sch.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frinton-on-Sea Primary</a> is a popular, high-performing state choice, while <a href="http://stphilomenas.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Philomena’s School</a> is the town’s independent go-to. For secondary options, look to the <a href="https://sites.google.com/aetinet.org/tendring-technology-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tendring Technology College</a> in Thorpe-le-Soken.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Ice-cream sellers aren&#8217;t allowed along the beach at Frinton-on-Sea because the council have banned them.&nbsp;Keeping it classy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>It takes just shy of 90 mins to travel the 84 miles into London Liverpool Street by train during peak times. An annual season ticket with Greater Anglia costs £7,056. By car, allow a good two hours to get into central London.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Frinton-on-Sea

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