Clacton-On-Sea: Things To Do With Your Family in 2020

Clacton-on-Sea is famous for its beach - a long stretch of golden sand - and Clacton-on-Sea Pier, a popular nineteenth-century pavilion that houses rides, an arcade, and a bowling alley.

Before you head to Clacton-on-Sea beach, don't forget to follow our handy how-to guide which breaks down what things to expect when visiting beaches, and also advises on things to remember when you're packing so that you have the best family beach day. Remember to also check the tide times before you go, so that you're in-the-know about potential currents.

Need further inspiration for a family day out? Check our guide to seven National Trust houses now reopened. Meanwhile, here eight of the best activities and attractions for you and your family to explore during your day trip to Clacton-on-Sea.

Stage a staycation and head to the rolling sands of Clacton-on-Sea beach. The kids can get cracking with their best sandcastle-building skills - buckets and spades at the ready! - and you can kick back, relax and let your hair down on a beach that offers the classic British seaside experience.

Favoured by families, Clacton-on-Sea beach is a golden stretch of sand that is particularly popular during the summer holidays, so bear this in mind if planning a visit.

Parking? Clacton-on-Sea has plenty of parking to offer. The High Street Car Park has 300 spaces at only four minutes walk from the beach (postcode CO15 6QF), or Wellesley Road Car Park has 206 spaces and is an eight-minute walk (postcode CO15 3PW).

Food? The Boardwalk Bar & Grill on Clacton Pier has a variety of things on offer, and is situated right on the shoreline. Otherwise, the town centre holds a host of restaurants from which your family can select their preference.

Toilets? On the pier, or various in the town - all open from 10am to 8pm daily.

Covid? Don't forget to follow social distancing and maintain hand hygiene at all times.

Anything else? Note that dogs are not allowed on the beach from May - 30 September inclusive.

Image © Chris Sampson under a creative commons licence.

Situated along the Clacton seafront, Clacton-on-Sea Pier offers loads of attractions for the kids, and even better, most things are open post-lockdown.

The Arcade and the Boardwalk Bar are now open from 10am - 10pm, and the rides are open from 11am-6pm. Get ready to scream your heart out over some adrenaline-pumping fun with the kids!

Parking? As with the beach above, there's plentiful parking. The High Street Car Park has 300 spaces at only four minutes walk from the beach (postcode CO15 6QF).

Food? The Boardwalk Bar & Grill is great for all things food and drink, as is The Sunshine Terrace, Burger Box, Fish N Chips, and The Jolly Roger Cafe.

Toilets? On the pier, or various in the town - all open from 10am to 8pm daily.

Covid? Don't forget to follow social distancing and maintain hand hygiene at all times. Note that the soft play area of the pier is currently closed.

Okay, so these are two of the pier's attractions, but they're also ideal activities to plan as separate activities for the kids if the weather is looking less than ideal for your visit to Clacton-on-Sea. Overlooking the North Sea and Clacton's sandy beach, the popular Skull Point Adventure Golf is the only all-weather, multi-level, 18 hole adventure golf course on a pier anywhere in the world: time to tee off and practice your swing! Meanwhile, The Lanes Ten Pin Bowling Centre provides alternative family fun with six lanes to choose from.

Facilities are open from 10am-10pm daily, with all booking online for both activities.

Parking? As above.

Food? There's American diner food available at the bowling alley, and Captain Table's coffee shop provides refreshment at the golf course. Otherwise, head out onto the pavilion for further options. Whilst you're there, why not visit one of the other attractions? Arcade games anyone?

Toilets? On the pier, or various in the town - all open from 10am to 8pm daily.

Covid? Both facilities are currently open at the above advertised hours, with all booking in advance online. Remember your hand sanitiser to ensure safe family fun!

If you have a budding marine biologist in the family, visit the SeaQuarium, which is open daily, and is another of the most popular things to do in Clacton-on-Sea. Like the above attractions, it is also situated on the pavilion. Look out for the school of red-bellied piranha!

Parking? As above.

Food? Again, look to the five food options listed above.

Toilets? On the pier, or various in the town - all open from 10am to 8pm daily.

Covid? Facilities are currently open every day from 11am-7pm, with all booking in advance online. Remember your hand sanitiser to ensure safe family fun!

A mere 15-minute drive from Clacton-on-Sea is Curve Wake Park, a facility that offers a range of fun activities for those over the age of 8 who enjoy all things water-orientated. From wake boarding to stand up paddle boarding, Curve Wake Park has loads of popular water sports to keep your clan entertained.

Parking? Limited onsite, but you're allowed to park at postcode CO16 8EN, in the White Hart pub car park.

Food? Refreshments are available at the cafe - all payment contactless.

Toilets? Open for use, as are the changing facilities.

Covid? Pre-booking only on a first-come, first-served basis. There are restrictions to the number of guests allowed, and extra health & safety procedures must be followed - check the company website for activity-specific guidance and the best practice to follow to keep your family safe.

Image © Unsplash, David Edkins.

Open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm, Hasty's is perfect for kids aged 3-11 (under 2 years old go free). Hasty's has an adventure playground, go-karting, a farm trail and various other farm-fun things for the family to do. They're also invested in ensuring your visit is educational as well as fun, providing information on modern-day farming for the kids to learn from.

Parking? Free, onsite: use postcode CO15 1AG.

Food? There's a kiosk for takeaway items, but picnics are encouraged.

Toilets? Open, onsite.

Covid? Pre-book only, limited numbers for social distancing.

Image © Diamond Geezer under a creative commons licence.

Another sandy beach, Jaywick is approximately mid-way between Clacton-on-Sea and Colne Point, and it tends not to be as busy as the beach at Clacton-on-Sea.

Parking?  Found on Tamarisk Way, use code CO15 2HN.

Food? Facilities are definitely limited at Jaywic, but this provides the perfect opportunity for a picnic! Don't forget a blanket and wet wipes for sticky fingers.

Toilets? Available either end of Tamarisk Way.

Covid? Follow social distancing and maintain hand hygiene at all times.

Anything else? Be aware of soft mud and slippery, sharp rocks beyond Lion Point. Look out for the Martello towers that were built during the nineteenth century to defend against attack from across the English Channel!