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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TRAVEL WORDS 
It’s an amalgam of all the seaside towns we’ve ever stayed in, and has a lot of charm. Our marina in Hartlepool is similar in parts, but is an add-on to a larger town. Over here I always enjoy sitting out at Quatro Aguas, watching the bustle around the boats. Peaceful, if you don’t know the rest of the story, Jude xx
I can see the attraction (It even has a fine Sunday Bench!). But it’s a bit too near Farage Country for my liking.
Perhaps, but don’t let that put you off.
It does, a bit.
So beautiful. No wonder you wanted to move there. There is something so therapeutic about being near water.
Quite. I’m busy searching for apartments overlooking water now 🤭
Go you!! 🙂
It is quite lovely, but what about your garden?
Well this particular apartment had a huge terrace. Plenty of room for containers. 🤗
I wondered whether the end of the name Brightlingsea really means ‘sea’. It doesn’t. As Wikipedia explains: “The place-name ‘Brightlingsea’ is first attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as Brictriceseia. It appears as Brichtricheseye in the Red Book of the Exchequer in 1212, as Brihtlenggesseya in the Pipe rolls in 1230, and as Brychtlingeseye in the charter rolls in 1253. The name means Brihtric’s island or Beorhtric’s island.”
Similarly, Mersea, across the River Colne, means ‘island of the mere’ or ‘island of the pool’. In contrast, in nearby Clacton-on-Sea and Brinton-on-Sea, the Sea really does refer to the sea.
It’s not really on the sea, just a river which leads into the north sea and further south the Thames estuary.
Some of those names are unpronounceable
what a lovely position your apartment is in Jude . Perfect for watching all the activity. Was interested to hear your comment that you are busy searching for an apartment. I can thoroughly recommend apartment living, if you find the right one. Yes a decent size balcony will satisfy your green thumb. Now I’m looking forward to the next chapter.
Haha… I just need to persuade the OH.
Maybe get him to do the gardening!!!🤭
Brightlingsea has certainly come up in the world since I last visited it. (Probably early 1970s) My memories of it are more like the run-down old buildings you showed. The new marina is very swish.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Looks better than I remembered it in 2016. Really only chose it because it had two bathrooms with walk in showers! So many lets have shower over bath that we find increasingly difficult to climb in and out of. The views were a bonus.
That looks like a wonderful place to stay! I love any view over water, and if there’s plenty of boating activity that’s a big plus. I can see why you could be tempted to live somewhere like that but like Margaret I’d be wary of its proximity to Clacton and the political vibes there at present.
Oh, we wouldn’t move there, despite the very reasonable cost of a flat as it would mean driving around the M25 to visit family. No I’m thinking of Devon or Dorset areas. Much more expensive.
Ooh yes, much more appealing! Although being me a swanky apartment overlooking the Thames would tempt me even more 😀
Good luck with that one!
Essex has so much more going for it than many people realise, glad you have got to explore some of its delights
Unfortunately the drive around London to get there is off-putting.
Yeah, it’s a bit hideous isn’t it.
I love the views from your apartment in Brightlingsea – it looks like the perfect location. I assume the apartments at the Waterside Marina must be quite expensive. I also like the blue and white former bus shelter and the Angel Hotel. But I’m quite surprised to see how early the sunrise is (but then, it’s still summer where you are) – beautiful photo.
Surprisingly the apartments we saw for sale (I did have to have a nosy) were very reasonable though none had quite the view this one had. Autumn begins today and the nights are drawing in, sunset around 19:30 now and properly dark by 20:00