Just Back From….. Brightlingsea Part One

It was supposed to be a 2 week break covering Essex (to see our latest grandchild) then onto Suffolk and finally across country to our old abode in Ludlow. But things didn’t quite work out as planned. Such is life.

Our first view from the very extensive terrace of our apartment. The Waterside Marina luxury apartments development within Brightlingsea Harbour has over 50 berths.

We spent most of the week in Brightlingsea itself other than a couple of trips into Colchester which has the most horrendous traffic (and roundabouts). Our apartment however was magnificent and I would move there in a heartbeat if I didn’t have to go anywhere near London or Colchester. The views across the water, the sunsets, even a couple of sunrises, endless fun watching the goings on including people crabbing from the heritage jetty (feature image), the ferryman taking foot passengers back and forth to Point Clear, river policemen stopping for their lunch break, posh yachts coming and going, rowing clubs out on the water and more.

The red arrow points to the apartment we stayed in. Views towards Point Clear, Mersea Island and even as far south to the northern coastline of Kent (Whitstable)

Brightlingsea is a coastal town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England. It is situated between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, at the mouth of the River Colne, on Brightlingsea Creek.

The Waterside Marina consists of apartments and town houses and retail.
Waterside Marina

I have split the photos up into several posts (there are a lot of photos) so let’s first go for a walk around the Waterside Marina area in which we stayed.

All the apartments have either terraces or balconies.
There are not many of the old buildings left
With the exception of this one on the corner of Fieldgate Dock which leads to the Brightlingsea Sailing Club, the promenade and the beach huts.
Hard Shelter, Built 1898 – this was a former bus shelter situated on the waterside close to the Town Hard with the Harbour Office behind.
This distinctive blue and white building, features a prominent clock on its roof and is located close to the Colne Yacht Club.
‘The Hard’, is a very useful outcrop of water-borne gravel, on the southern part of Brightlingsea overlooking Point Clear and allows for launching of boats
The wooden hut, almost surrounded by water at high tide, is the Hard Master’s office where user charges are collected.
Originally the Angel Hotel built in 1901 by architect George Henry Page. Then it became the Anchor Hotel before being split into apartments. Lovely architectural details and stained glass. Next door is the Colne Yacht Club.
The Waterside Marina on our last day – sunrise at 05:28

The weather was unpredictable with sunshine, some heavy rain and almost always windy, with the terrace doors open we were serenaded by the ‘whap, whap, whapping’ sound of the closest yacht’s rigging slapping against the mast and on the windiest days a shrill whistling or howling sound. I have to say that I actually liked it. Made a change from the usual cattle sounds.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

32 thoughts on “Just Back From….. Brightlingsea Part One”

  3. Beautiful sunrise and it really does look like a lovely place for a holiday. Anywhere, near water is relaxing especially the ocean. I hope you both had plenty of baby time.

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