Brightlingsea is a small sailing town on the inlet of the Colne estuary, with East Mersea on the opposite bank. On the waterside you can explore the area known as the “town hard” where you can watch the sailing boats, or join in with the crabbing – which has been popular with very many generations of visitors to Brightlingea. From the hard you can walk along the promenade past the rows of colourful beach huts. Try to take a swim in the open air swimming pool, one of just a few left in the country. There is a children’s playground, and the town beach has a tidal filled paddling pool. Next to the pool is the Bateman Tower café.
more details
The High Street has a charming mix of buildings of various ages, and we’d recommend a trip to The Rosebud Pub – part of a trip we made in 2014 where we ccaught the Brightlingsea ferry at The Hythe in Colchester and had a lovely hour long journey up the Colne to Brightlingsea.