I recently visited Walton-on-the-Naze, a popular seaside town in Essex, during the off-season and it felt like a ghost town.
There’s no doubt that this small town is a stunning spot in the summer, bustling with visitors enjoying the warm weather.
Despite being a bit further from London compared to Southend-on-Sea, it offers a more peaceful summer getaway. As part of the Exploring Essex series by EssexLive, I’ve had the chance to discover many fascinating parts of the county that I hadn’t thought about before.
Even though I was born and raised in Essex, Walton-on-the-Naze was one of those places. I’m not much of a swimmer and as a redhead, sunbathing on the beach often leaves me looking like a slice of salami.
If I were to choose a beach to visit, it would probably be Southend. My grandparents lived in Clacton, so I would sometimes spend my summers there, as well as taking chilly walks along the seafront in winter.
Essex boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline. However, during the off-season, these areas can feel quite different, and that was certainly the case with Walton.
During my recent visit to the town, the weather was grey and drizzly. The heavy overcast and dampness gave this usually beautiful summer spot a feel of a zombie apocalypse movie.
The large amusement pavilion was lit up with bright lights and filled with upbeat music, creating an eerie atmosphere. The brightly coloured tables and lovely beach huts seemed to miss the usual crowd of visitors.
A group of school children, possibly on a school trip to Walton-on-the-Naze, stood outside the complex chatting about their exciting day out.
The gloomy weather, off-season timing and my visit during school term time certainly had an effect. In both 2022 and 2021, Walton-on-the-Naze was named one of the top trending seaside destinations for summer visits.
This means that this part of the county is much quieter during the off-season. If the weather wasn’t casting a shadow over the town, I’m sure it would be a pleasant place to live even in the off-season.
Surprisingly, I had a nice experience. Coming from a bustling area like Chelmsford, Walton-on-the-Naze offered a stark contrast with its slower pace, quietness and enjoyment.
Walking along the pier, which is free to enter, I enjoyed the peaceful waves and friendly atmosphere. People were fishing and chatting, and every now and then someone would walk by with a happy dog.
Getting to Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex can be tricky as there’s only one train an hour. This might put some people off visiting, but it also means that those who do come are less likely to spoil the area.
Most people think of Walton-on-the-Naze as a summer destination, but I’d recommend giving it a go in the off-season. You might be pleasantly surprised, just like I was.
