There are extensive views across meadows, creeks and marshes beside St Osyth and later Brightlingsea creeks to the martello tower near Point Clear. This is followed by quiet road walking and a final stretch across fields.
Located a little to the west of Clacton in Essex, St. Osyth derives its name from the dedication of a local priory to a 7th century princess - Osgyth - who was martryed there. The St. Osyth naturist beach is on the North Sea coast (but south facing) and is just to the east of the Colne estuary.
St. Osyth lies south of the B1027 road from Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea. Proceeding from Clacton,
Head due south from St Osyth - Beach Road and to the end of the road in Hutley's Caravan Park. This reaches a dead end at the seawall with a car park pub and cafe just on the left .
From there go over sea wall on to the beach (or through gate in wall during day time), turn right (west) and walk one mile to reach the naturist beach - slow and rather difficult walking on the small shingle.
The dirt road which used to give access to the beach is no longer in existence, having been destroyed by storms in the winter of 2003-4.
In reply to an enquiry about the future of the road Alan Hutley [from the nearby caravan park] said:
" To rebuild the road we would have to retreat further back on to the saltings, this we are not allowed to touch, as it is an area of S.S.S.I. [Site of Special Scientific Interest]
To replace the road in its original place would only be temporary until the next rough high
tide takes it away again. We would love to have the road again, but we have known for
along time that one day we would lose the road, the only surprise was, that it did not occur sooner ."
along time that one day we would lose the road, the only surprise was, that it did not occur sooner ."
No comments:
Post a Comment