Things To Do In Walton On The Naze Essex!

Walton-on-the-Naze may not have a huge amount of things to do in terms of attractions, but it does have a large sandy beach! Many of the Essex beaches are stoney, so if you’re wanting to build some sandcastles, Walton is a good place to do it!

Things To Do In Walton On The Naze

Walton On The Naze Beach

As mentioned above, Walton On The Naze Beach is a lovely sandy Essex beach. There are various little cafes, beach shops and toilet facilities along the seafront. Walton is kind of split into 2 separate areas, the Naze end which is more natural and then the town end.

A nice thing to do is park at one end and walk along the sea wall to the other end. It’s around 1.5 miles in distance and takes roughly 25 minutes.

At high tide the water does come right up to the sea wall at the Naze end. So if you plan on having a beach day, you may have to plan your day around the tide times.

The Naze

The Naze is a wildlife area that has cliffs! It’s quite unique to the Essex landscape. Unfortunately, over time the cliffs have suffered from erosion. Like the Chappel Viaduct area, the Naze has a rich military history during World War II. There are still a couple of existing pillboxes boxes on the headland. However, 2 pillboxes are located on the beach! Originally these would have been up on the cliff, but due to erosion, their final resting place is somewhere a little different! Twice a day they are completely covered by the tide.

In this area, there are a couple of cafes, a discovery centre with a gift shop and toilets. For those visiting the beach, the car park is located on top of the cliffs and the beach is accessed via stairs. It’s not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Walton On The Naze Tower

The Naze Tower is a Grade II listed building, constructed in 1720. It was built as a navigation tower, a bit like a lighthouse…but without a light! The tower acted more like a landmark on the coastline, which from the sea, would look fairly similar without it. It now houses a small museum, gallery and tea room, and if you’re feeling fit, 111 stairs to a viewing platform right at the top! Entrance is £3 for adults and £2 for children (4-15yrs).

The Naze Fossil Sculpture Trail

A fossil sculpture trail represents fossils that were found in the area. The sculptures are animals carved out of wood, with a part that can create a rubbing on paper. It’s a short walk starting at The Naze Centre and follows a loop with 6 sculptures altogether. It’s free to do, just look out for the informational board near the tower which has a map on it!

Crag Walk Coastal Defence Structure

The Crag Walk Coastal Defence Structure is a 110m barrier, which will hopefully slow the erosion of the cliffs. Visitors to the Naze can view the cliffs from a safe location and enjoy educational boards with information about the history and wildlife of the area.

Walton Town

Walton On The Naze Beach Huts

The whole stretch of the beach from the Naze to Walton Pier and beyond is filled with hundreds of colourful beach huts. On a busy day, the sea wall walk can get a little busy with people relaxing in front of their beach huts.

Many of the beach huts are privately owned. However, a couple of companies offer beach hut hire, these can be found here and here. Rates start at £35 during off-peak times and £50 a day during peak season. The rentals come with chairs, tea and coffee and a small gas cooker/kettle.

Walton On The Naze Pier

Without wanting to sound rude, the pleasure pier at Walton is looking a little on the worn outside. Especially when you compare it to the newly renovated Clacton Pier, and Southend’s, which is the longest pleasure pier in the world. The bowling alley is closed for renovation though! It has a small arcade and a handful of indoor fairground rides. The rides are mainly children’s rides, but they do have a Waltzer, which is one of my favourites! The rest of the pier is outside and has an RNLI lifeboat mooring near the end. The pier dates back to 1830.

Walton On The Naze Restaurants and Cafes

Like a typical seaside town, there are many different takeaway food stands and cafes in Walton! From ice creams to hot donuts, burgers, hot dogs and chips. The coffee shop stand in front of the pier sell milkshakes made with chocolate bars and hot donuts with a liquid Biscoff topping!

‘Yates Fish Bar’ have good fish and chips. You can eat in or take away. Further down the road, the ‘Good Taste Cafe’ is a good coffee shop that sell very well priced breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I had a bacon, egg and mushroom baguette for around £4. ‘Revved Up’ tea bar is very popular with motor-bikers. They all park on the forecourt in front of the cafe!

Good Taste Cafe Walton Essex — Good Taste Cafe, Walton on the Naze

Walton On The Naze Parking

Coronation Car Park

If you’re visiting the town end of Walton, Coronation Car Park along Princes Esplanade is a good place to park. This is a large grass pay-and-display car park a short walk from Walton Pier. Parking over 3 hours costs £6.

This is also next to Walton on the Naze Lifestyles indoor swimming pool and there is a large playground with a big grassy area.

Church Road Car Park is another option right in the town, costing £6 for over 4 hours.

Naze Car Park

Up the Naze end of Walton is the Naze Car Park. A large grass pay-and-display car park, close to the Tower and other facilities. All day parking costs £5.

You may be about to find on street parking around Walton, but please look out for restrictions, permits, pay-and-display machines etc.

Walton On The Naze Train Station

The train station is a short walk from Walton Pier. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes from London (Liverpool Street) with 1 change at Thorpe-le-Soken.