Frinton-on-Sea has had a love affair with literature ever since it featured in the Domesday Book. In the late nineteenth century with the coming of the railway line, it rapidly developed into a stylish seaside resort, as evidenced today by the handsome Arts and Crafts mansions of its leafy avenues, and the seafront’s turreted former Grand Hotel.

 

The extensive Esplanade and Greensward hug the coast with its broad, golden sands, along which runs a beach-hut lined promenade and sea wall walk that will take you from the Naze in the north to far beyond Clacton’s classic pier.

 

Frinton’s famous visitors include Winston Churchill and Edward and Mrs Simpson, but this is also the place where Radio Caroline was washed ashore. Prolific novelist Ursula Bloom was a longtime resident, and Arthur Ransome set his southernmost Swallows and Amazons story Secret Water on the backwaters which fringe Frinton and Walton.

 

The high street, Connaught Avenue, has many thriving independent shops and places to eat, and Frinton Summer Theatre and the Frinton Music Festival are but two of the town’s longstanding creative initiatives.

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Where to stay

Please check local listings for accommodation, but be aware these often become booked in advance. 

 

Where to Eat, Drink and Shop

Frinton’s characterful Connaught Avenue offers a wide array of eating, drinking and shopping establishments, many of them local independent businesses.

The Festival’s venues include the historic McGrigor Hall – also home to the longstanding Frinton Summer Theatre; Frinton’s unique thatched Lawn Tennis Club and splendid Art Deco Golf Club; and the nearby Walton & Frinton Yacht Club with its views across Arthur Ransome’s ‘Secret Water’.

 

Our schools programme brings together children from across the Tendring area in appropriate environments.

 

We strive to ensure that there are excellent accessibility provisions at all our venues.

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By car

Frinton-on-Sea is located on the golden coast of Essex’s historic Tendring peninsula, 20 minutes from Clacton, 30 minutes from Colchester, an hour from Ipswich and Stansted Airport, and two hours from London via the A12. Please check routes via your preferred mapping service before travel. There is ample free parking in the town.

 

By train 

Frinton-on-Sea has a regular train service to London Liverpool Street via Thorpe-le-Soken or Colchester. Travel time usually around 90 minutes.