WHY?

With its butterscotch sands, sweeping esplanade and wash of pastel beach huts, this pretty coastal resort offers up a slice of quintessential charm. Hugging the north Essex coastline, it first became a popular haunt for vay-caying Londoners in the 1920s, when its High Street was affectionately dubbed the ‘Bond Street of East Anglia’. These days you can expect to find a small hub of independent boutiques, bistros and bars a short stroll from the shoreline, plus a thriving arts and culture scene.

EAT

For style and substance, head to Pier One for a generous portion of fish and triple-cooked chips, or a deluxe coastal platter. Harry’s Bar & Restaurant in nearby Thorpe-le-Soken is ideal for casual dining and cocktails; and Frinton’s first ever pub, The Lock & Barrel, is your stop-off for a cheeky craft ale in buzzy Connaught Avenue.

SHOP

Known for its cluster of independent stores selling gifts and homeware, Frinton-on-Sea lacks big-name fashion retailers, and is all the better for it. Culture vultures will love Caxton Books & Gallery in the heart of the High Street, which sells East Anglian artwork, ceramics and jewellery alongside an enormous selection of books. It even runs a thriving monthly book club and Cinema-on-Sea showings during summer.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

While the huge greensward in Frinton is perfect for laid-back family picnics, many hit the two-mile coastal trail that weaves its sea-view way to Walton-on-the-Naze afterwards to work off the sarnies. It’s an easy, picturesque trail and you can climb the 18th century Naze Tower, walk the sun-bleached boards of Walton Pier and explore Hamford Water Nature Reserve en route. (Big) kids will also get a kick out of Walton’s traditional amusement arcade, which serves up ten-pin bowling lanes and an indoor funfair complete with ghost train and classic waltzer rides.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

Depending on size and location, a three-bedroom detached property in Frinton-on-Sea will set you back, on average, £412,369. For a semi-detached property, you can expect to pay £270,000, while terraced homes are currently hovering around the £255,000 mark. If you’re cashing in on London prices and can afford to nose the budget north of £500,000, some of the most prestigious Frinton properties can be found in the town’s network of beachside ‘Avenues’, which boast Edwardian architecture, spacious gardens and five bedrooms, plus.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

Frinton-on-Sea Primary is a popular, high-performing state choice and St Philomena’s Catholic School on Hadleigh Road is the town’s independent go-to. For secondary options, look to the Tendring Technology College in Thorpe-le-Soken or private TLG Tendring on Connaught Avenue for strong Ofsted reports.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Serving as a cultural nod to the town’s enduring character, the Frinton Summer Theatre on Fourth Avenue has attracted the likes of Vanessa Redgrave, Gary Oldman and Timothy West since it first opened its doors in 1937. And, fun fact, it still asks the audience to stand for the national anthem before each show. See? Pure seaside charm. 

COMMUTE

It’ll take just shy of 90 minutes to travel the 84 miles into London Liverpool Street by train during peak times, and you’ll need to change at Thorpe-le-Soken. An annual season ticket with Greater Anglia costs £6,120. If you’re driving, leave yourself at least two hours to get into central London.

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