Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004

Last year a BBC weather watcher picture caught my eye.  The featured photograph showed multi coloured beach huts lined up in rows.  The caption gave the name of the place as Walton-on-the-Naze.   The picture was fascinating and I said to myself “I must visit this place one day”.  When the opportunity arose to speak at a conference in Colchester, I planned a visit to the seaside towns in Essex before arriving at the conference.  The idea was to take pictures of these colourful beach huts starting at Walton-on-the-Naze.  

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Taking time out in the sun.

Arriving in the town, I went to the viewpoint on the cliff that overlooked the pier.   Behind me was the Victorian architecture of the town and in front the rooftops of the Beach huts lined up along the promenade.  Walton-on-the-Naze is a picturesque seaside resort. In early October, the holiday season was at an end, and the doors of the beach huts were shut.  I went down to the promenade walked past the pier and immediately came face to face with the colourful fronts of the numerous beach huts.  

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Rows and rows of Beach huts at Walton-on-the-Naze
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Looking back from the promenade at the beach huts.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Walking the promenade.

As a photographer, I just self-indulged in taking pictures with all those vibrant pastel colours.  I walked around them and even climbed up the cliff steps taking in all the different rows.  As well as their colourful designs, people had called their beach huts various names.  I walked for a good half a mile along the promenade admiring the various huts.  The tide was in and the sea was splashing upwards and I had to take care of the camera.  The sun was shining and there were countless opportunities to take pictures of the people who were out and about walking up and down the promenade.   

The design of the huts changed as I moved towards Frinton-on-sea and some of the beach houses were on struts with walkways leading up to the door.  Looking at my pictures you can see the different varieties.

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
The changing style of beach hut.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Walton on the Naze, Essex, 2004
Pastel colours

Next stop was Frinton-by-the-sea and here the cliff wall was higher but I went down and once again came across a long row of the beach huts facing the sea.  I even found one couple had opened the doors of their hut.  They were enjoying the sun and catching up with what looked like work.   

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Beach Huts along the Essex coast, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Enjoying the sun in October.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
The beach is in easy reach.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Frinton-on-sea, Essex, 2004
Frinton-on-sea.

Following my visit to Frinton-on-sea, my next stop was Clacton-on-sea or simply Clacton.  The town was busier and whilst there are only a few beach huts, there was a very grand pier which was open to the public.  The pier was quiet and none of the amusements were working but there were some good views of the coast.  I walked along the promenade and visited the area where Butlins used to be situated.  The area is now a new housing estate and the information boards gave details of what the place would have looked like in post war times. 

Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Clacton pier was quiet.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Roller coaster against a clear blue sky.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
A few of the beach huts at Clacton.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
The wall of the Martello Tower in the foreground and in the background the housing estate built on the former Butlins holiday camp.
Beach Huts along the Essex coats, Clacton, Essex, 2004
Where to find your beach toys.

The tide was going out and so I was able to get on the beach and take in the sea air.  This visit has satisfied my desire to see beach huts.  I did enjoy the colours in each town and all the different characters of these charming seaside resorts. There was the cleanliness and gentility of Frenton-on-Sea to the brash busy streets of Clacton.  Walton on the Naze enjoys a beautiful coastal location with the added attraction of the Neze Tower. A lovely day out at the Seaside.

Please read my companion piece on the Naze tower.

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.

At first a boat trip on Lake Windermere did not thrill me. I was not looking forward to being squashed and pushed around on an overcrowded boat with other tourists. So I was feeling very grumpy about the whole idea of a boat tip from Ambleside to Bowness. When we arrived at the boat terminal, I relented as I was the only one of the family who would be left behind and I did not know what I would do for the next few hours. Sandy bought the tickets and then went back and obtained a separate one for me. My grandchildren found it so funny that I was being such a grumpy Grandfather especially as they were the ones who generally were told off for having a strop. We waited at the ferry terminal for the boat to arrive.

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
The Ferry terminal at Lakehead, Ambleside.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Entrance to the pier.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Passengers on the boat.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
A view from the boat.

Whilst standing at the entrance, I met Doug who worked for the Windermere Lake cruises. We had a lively conversation and my mood started to lift. We boarded the Swan Cruise boat, found some great seats for photographs and off we went. The scenery was stunning and both little and large boats passed us by. The grandchildren loved it.

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Passing Low Wood Bay.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Sandy with the fells behind her.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Watching the boats go by.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Chloe and Sian.

We disembarked at Bowness and were completely engulfed by crowds of people moving around the Lakeside. Luckily just before my mood started to return, Rob, my son in law, spotted a good place for a drink. The Lake View Bar happened to have excellent views of the lake and provided super photograph opportunities. Why had I been so grumpy about this trip?

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Arriving at Bowness Pier.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Fun at the harbour.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Watching the boats come in.
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
Calling all boats, your time is up.

Soon it was time to return to Ambleside, so we queued up and as we were at the front we were able to get seats right at the front of the boat. We set off from Bowness passing an armada of small boats darting around the bay. Once again, we saw the beauty of the lake and the shoreline although the clouds were covering the sun. As we reached Ambleside pier, the sun showed itself and I took a quick picture of the scene with the sailing boats lined up on the far shore. The picture was featured by Look North West tonight which was a nice surprise.

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
The return journey home to Ambleside
Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
My picture featured on Look North West Tonight.

We had pre-booked dinner at the Wateredge hotel, a place I would recommend for visiting. The rain had arrived but the hotel had allowed us to use their tipi that was set up next to the lake shore. The hotel is excellent with good food, pleasant staff and excellent service. After a tasty fish and chips accompanied by a local beer, I had forgotten about the reason why I was so grumpy earlier in the day. The photographic record was a bonus and yes I do recommend taking a boat tip on Lake Windermere 🙂

Boat tip on Lake Windermere. Ambleside to Bowness, The Lake District, August, 2023.
The public pier at Lakehead Ambleside.

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Links to the complete series of my blogs around our visit to Little Langdale in the Lake District in August 2023.

Buying tickets for the Faerie Trial at Luss

We spent a great deal of time during our holiday visiting this beautiful village on the banks of Loch Lomond. Luss is Gaelic for herb and the village was so named after St Kessog. As Irish missionary to Scotland, he was martyred, and the legend is told that herbs grew on his grave. 

Luss Church
Luss Church

The village of Luss is characterised by the neat row of cottages that once belonged to the slate quarry workers that worked in the surrounding area. The appealing thatched cottages built by the Laird around the village have slate roofs, as timber was in short supply.  Now they are a popular tourist attraction, and the main street leads down to Luss pier.

Luss cottages
Luss cottages
Luss Pier
Luss Pier

This is the focal point of the village where there are ice cream vans and holiday makers taking advantage of water sport activities.  There are also beautiful views of the Luss Hills and Ben Lomond with their peaks reflecting on the water.  Luss church is away from the tourist track and has a quiet atmosphere as it sits overlooking the water. 

Jumping off the Luss pier
Jumping off the Luss pier
Paddle boarder passes Luss pier
Paddle boarder passes Luss’ lifeboat pier

A feature of Luss is the nearly developed Faerie trail which my granddaughters loved and takes in the nearby forest and river valley.  You buy your tickets from the Airstream trailer in the Luss overspill carpark before heading off into the forest and meeting the Faeries.  Luckily no Trolls can be seen as they are all in School learning how to behave. Luss is a delightful place to stay and is a perfect base for exploring Loch Lomond and its surroundings.

Here is more information on Luss and the Faerie Trial

All pictures were taken with the Fujifilm x100v