• St Lawrence Bay – Also known as Stone, this broad sweep of shingle and sand is undoubtedly the best in the Maldon District and worth the effort to get to. By car you will need to park at Jubilee Field car park as you come into the village on the left – don’t be tempted to drive closer to the beach, there really isn’t anywhere else to park and the beach is only a 10-minute walk. Refreshments (and toilets for customers) are available at The Stone Inn, right on the sea wall, or St Lawrence Inn by the car park, and there’s a convenience store for picnic supplies.

  Woodup Pool, Tollesbury – a hidden gem of the district; a real tidal saltwater lido with a sandy beach area and grassy banks with picnic tables, usually open late May to end of September. There are no lifeguards so children must be supervised at all times and dogs are not allowed. Inflatables and paddleboards can be used with care and the pool is occasionally closed for kayaking groups. Free admission and toilets on site. Parking is free at Woodrolfe Road, a 10-minute walk away. Be careful about parking on nearby roads , they flood at high tide!

  Burnham Beach, Burnham-on-Crouch – a small sandy area on the estuary of the River Crouch, suitable for crabbing, paddling and swimming at high tide. It is on the edge of Riverside Park where there is free parking, toilets, picnic areas and play equipment, and there are shops and cafes further along West Quay.

• Goldhanger – the word “beach” may be optimistic, but there are some pockets of sand and shingle where it’s possible to have a paddle or a dip if the tide is right. Free on-street parking is available in Head Street or Church Street (do not drive down Fish Street, it’s a dead end with only residents’ parking), then it’s a 15-minute walk down Fish Street, left by the Parish Field, then on to the sea wall (turn either right or left to find a quiet beachy spot). There are no public toilets or cafes, but you will pass The Chequers Inn which has a beer garden and serves coffees.

  Bradwell-on-Sea – there are several lovely spots for a bit of beach time, either using the free parking by Eastland Farm near St Peter-on-the-wall Chapel or the small free car parking area by Bradwell Power Station. Either way you will have a 10-15 minute walk to the sea wall, from where you can take your pick of places to play and paddle (high tide is best, otherwise there is miles of mud). Close to the Chapel you will find a fantastic number of sea shells. No facilities near the beach area, although Bradwell Marina has public toilets and a café (small parking charge).

Top tips for a fun beach trip:

• • Wetsuit shoes, jelly sandals or old trainers will avoid scratches from sharp stones or litter – wear them in the sea as well!
  • Bring an inflatable beach ball, tennis ball, frisbee or beach cricket to keep kids occupied for longer
  • If you don’t own a bucket and spade, try an empty ice cream container and big spoon for making sand castles
  • String and a few rashers of streaky bacon or slices of ham makes an instant crabbing line, and there’s no hooks to hurt crabs or little fingers
  • Freeze some water in refillable bottles the night before (don’t fill them right to the top) and you’ll have cold drinks all day as well as a cool pack to keep your sandwiches fresh
  • Remember a plastic-coated bag to take home wet swimmers and a bag for your rubbish
  • If you want to make a day of it on a beach with no loo, a Peebol pocket toilet is a clean solution

The Beach House Bar at Mill Beach Seaside Resort

Bradwell-on-Sea beach is great for hunting for shells

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