Walking the Essex Coast from Frinton-on-Sea to Walton-on-the-Naze (4K)

A great Essex coastal walk from Frinton-on-Sea to Walton-on-the-Naze
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Travel info
We caught the Greater Anglia train from Stratford in East London and changed at Thorpe-le-Soken for the local train to Frinton-on-Sea. Using a Network Railcard the tickets were £15 each, purchased on the day of travel through the Greater Anglia app. The journey took 1 hour 20 mins.
The walk starts at Frinton-on-Sea Station then goes down Connaught Avenue, stopping at Young's Fish and Chip Shop for lunch. We then walked along the esplanade beside the North Sea to Walton Pier and continued along the seafront to Naze Tower. Here we turned and walked back to Walton-on-the-Naze via the cliff road to the station.
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Music
Nevada City - Huma-Huma
City Sun - Mochas
In the Beginning of Time - Of Water
Lamna - Lo Mimieux
Why Is She Crying - Luella Gren
from Epidemic Sound and the KZbin Audio Library
Maps:
Open Street Map “© OpenStreetMap contributors” using data available under the Open Database Licence
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[@richardpicking4459]

When I met my girlfriend, now wife her parents had a house and beach hut at Frinton. Many a lovely weekend spent there in the past and its still a regular day trip now. Its hardly changed at all in forty years and what a lovely place it still is with a fantastic stone free beach a great vintage shop and an even better charity music shop. The Walton pillboxes were originally on the cliff, but as these eroded the pillboxes slipped down to the beach below. The fact they stayed in one piece goes to show how strong they are.

[@davidmcguiness8862]

My parents live in WON and there is a renown snobbery about living ‘inside the gates” of Frinton. The gates being at the level crossing that divides the two towns Frinton residents were always trying to stop any development of pubs, holiday camps etc that might cast a shadow over the town. That said I always call it Gods waiting room!

[@lucascarroll7082]

Moved to Colchester from London recently and Frinton and Walton are two of our favourite haunts now. Thanks for giving me some history on the area, was a wholesome walk this one. The port you can see from Walton is actually the deep sea container port at Felixstowe on the mouth of the Orwell and the Stour. Harwich is tucked inside the mouth of the Stour and invisible from Walton.

[@kevinbarry3380]

Great film - local saying Harwich for the Continent, Frinton for the incontinent( large number of elderly residents of course). CynthiaB

[@Angel-eq9tq]

Love Walton-on-the-Naze, the locals are welcoming and friendly.

[@Andyhutchinson]

Your missus is correct, John, the gulls are considerably larger in the UK. I've been here in Oz for 20 years now, but still remember being terrorised by a teradactyl sized gull one day in Bath.

[@ThisWontEndWell]

The oldest human footprints outside Africa (from around 850,000 years ago) are not too far away at Happisburgh, people have been enjoying that coastline for a very long time a lot like you all were. We forget how important that coastline was as part of the landbridge with continental Europe probably the place of greatest environmental change (and still ongoing) on this island.

[@avb3479]

Nice video! I grew up in Frinton. Lovely place. When i was a boy, the pillboxes were on the clifftops. Now they are covered by the high tide. Frightening pace of erosion. A "soken" was an area belonging to the church. We still have thorpe le soken and kirby le soken in the area. It meant, among other things, that the secular authorities could not arrest people without the church's permission.

[@bizzydizzy]

There used to be diving platforms set in the sand someway out to sea (but still lethal at low tide!), but I see they’re not there now: do you know what happened to them?

[@janetfinn25]

What a peaceful little film and music. Stunning end shot. I was only recently looking at a photo of my very much younger self, sat on the grass at Frinton front. We'd just bought my engagement ring from that very jewellers you showed that is closing down. It cost all of £7 which my ex had to borrow from my mother as we were both still at school and he only had his Saturday milk round money. It was an old fashioned amethysist ring, later stolen, with a lot of other jewellery, but this film did bring back some happy memories of days out with my parents.

[@janetfinn25]

Amethyst

[@LANCSKID]

Very enjoyable video, John, as always. During the days of pirate radio, either Radio Caroline and/or Radio London were anchored offshore from Frinton and encouraged people to indulge in something known as ‘Frinton Flashing’. This was not, I hasten to add, some peculiar sexual activity, but a request to car drivers to park their vehicles facing out to sea and to flash their headlights repeatedly. The intention was to show solidarity with the pirates. I can’t recall as to whether or not the gesture was reciprocated.

[@ronwells9496]

Indeed it was! DJ Johnnie Walker would communicate along the lines 'How many of you in the car?' to which you would flash accordingly!

[@LANCSKID]

@@ronwells9496 Thanks for that, Ron … memory not all it was! 🧔🏼‍♂️

[@ronwells9496]

@@LANCSKID Me too! I've continued listening to Caroline through the years, nowadays via the internet, but they still broadcast on the good old medium wave, albeit lower power.

[@LANCSKID]

@@ronwells9496 Thanks for that. I wasn’t aware that broadcasts continue. I will research. 👨‍🦳

[@The3Kosmos3]

The English seaside in Autumn... love it!

[@okafisher9490]

As a resident of colchester, these are only a stone throw away, some lovely walks and underrated beauty spots. Lovely part of the UK.

[@susanmitchell4744]

You are so lucky. I am an Essex girl by birth and lived in Colchester 1976-1996 then moved to Harrogate. I miss the area, the closeness to the sea, the history….wish I’d never moved.

[@luapnosboh7421]

@@susanmitchell4744 but least ya up north wi reyt folk 😁

[@susanmitchell4744]

My grandparents had a beach hut in Frinton. I can remember it as a child. Nobody was allowed to change in or out of clothes on the sward. Lovely place. You had to go across the level crossing to get into the town. No pubs in the town. Thank you John for wonderful childhood memories.

[@Steveoaudioandstuff]

Lovely warm film John, great to see the family. Walton was a regular destination for an early Sunday motorcycle rideout when I lived in Essex back in time. My favourite aspect of your filmmaking is the variety of your subjects. Thanks for making them!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

much appreciated Steve

[@whobrewing]

Best time to go to the beach is out of season. You get the run of the place and can enjoy it more.

[@saltypopcorn2708]

As a child my yearly holiday was a stay in a caravan in Walton on the Naze. It has special memories as it seemed to calm my mentally ill Mother. The fresh air and slower pace of life can settle a disturbed mind.

[@user-itschad1954]

There will always be an England for the populace to enjoy. Why go abroad? The UK is stuffed with prettiness and historical featurres. Carry on John😃

[@liberty_and_justice67]

Thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thank you very much

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Been a long time since I saw the sea.Thank you so much.

[@carldown1121]

Lived there for 6yrs.just had to move out due to our landlord.frinton will always have a place in my heart.

[@RedStickHistorian]

As the British say, that was brilliant. Thanks so much for taking us along; I enjoyed it very much.

[@janetcarrington7088]

O my goodness John. So many memories of Sunday School outings to Walton. It was always perishing cold and windy! I live in Ireland now and love it but still miss East Anglia. I think the way the light hits the land there makes it special. Thank you so much - love your walks.

[@lydialen6881]

Another great vlog John. A good way to blow away the cobwebs is a seaside walk.

[@mrtiabrown]

Must admit a lovely beach

[@seanclark2085]

This is a walk I've always wanted to do ..

[@nige_breaks_bikes9782]

Walking by the sea is always beguiling … perfect Sunday viewing and next up came the superb Dengie peninsula walk 👍😊

[@fee-eliza8919]

Many a happy day spent at our Family beach hut in Walton as a child, building sand trenches with my cousins and eating fresh doughnuts 🍩 from the Pier Love this walk John Thank you 🌊🕊

[@richardrichardson7185]

Moved to Walton 3 years ago, no regrets. We have the Marks & Spencers food hall, one up on Frinton 🤣

[@betagombar9022]

😂

[@mamnisel4815]

Lovely walk today John from Frinton to Walton-on -Sea with your family.Used to have cousins that lived in Frinton when I was a kid and they always thought they were better than us according to my Mum!!

[@minijames2777]

Wow what a picturesque walk of frinton on sea. I can’t believe how amazing the North Sea Walks can be. Thanks again John for another great walk.

[@milobell5525]

Thanks for including us with your family on your trip to the seaside. Your wife is right about the seagulls (but i'm thinking you might be confusing them with the crows out here which are colossal compared to the Blighty version)

[@chrisblay]

Another interesting walk. I always think coastal towns are far more interesting and relaxed a little out of season.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

That's what I call a good family day out. Interesting part of the North Sea coast and not an area I know at all. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@davidsheriff8989]

For me the best part of Essex, spent many days here..great video

[@williamrobinson7435]

Absolutely right about the characteristics of the North Sea coast.. I can vouch for the fact that these things are consistent, right up the coast. There is a particular character to the light, a silvery vibe, unmistakable when it's dull weather.. Also the WW2 defences and the elegiac and ghostly air provided by the 'Vanishing Coastline' bit.. I doubt if the parking my dad used for our day trips to Fraisethorpe (near Bridlington) is still there, and there are CERTAINLY stories of mariners hearing spooky church bells.. WOOOO! Happy Halloween everyone. Nice one John! WOOOO ha ha ha.. 👻🌟👍

[@stejaski2]

Thank you for this John! Very happy memories of My Nan and Grandad took my brother and me to Walton for summer holidays back in the seventies. There was a sign on the front of the pier which said “The Happiest Sound in all the World is that of Children’s laughter”. Like that sign, my lovely Nan and grandad (who was stationed in Walton in the war) are long gone, but this has peeled back the years for me.

[@vermeerofdelftscotlandwalk3294]

Very interesting as always. 👍 I've never been there, which makes it all the more interesting. Fascinating history of Dulwich and Frinton👍

[@graham8483]

We live at Thorpe Le Soken so often take the same walk also if you didn’t know those pill boxes at the Naze was once at the top of the cliff before they fell into the sea.

[@CthulhuInc]

wonderful video, thanks john. these certainly help my frame of mind - for the better 😊

[@RJGleave]

I grew up in Clacton, but now live a long way away so this is both familiar and nostalgic. In the 1960s there were no wind farms but you would have been able to view the pirate radio ships, Radio Caroline, Radio London and Radio England, three miles out to sea. I was present the night of the 14th August 1967 when the Marine Offences Act came into force and R. London closed down leaving only Caroline with Johnnie Walker still broadcasting. Hundreds of us were there at midnight, all flashing our headlights in support. Later, in 1969, I worked in the bar at Frinton Tennis Club during the summer at the very end of its 'golden era', when some of the 1930s 'fast set' still remained. Some interesting memories....!

[@iTomAnks]

Fantastic John! A part of the UK I've never explored. Absolutely love the landscape with the sea stretching out for miles.

[@paulmelton8669]

I have fond memories of this coast. My grandparents used to live in the area and rented a beach hut from the council when my sister and I used to stay with them in the summer holidays. Great video, John.

[@flamehairdisaster1]

John, thank you. I am binge watching all your films, and this, like most of your work/ hobby are/ were my neighbourhood, and my how I miss it. I think there must be many other romantics , like us, who all seek and appreciate the gigantic power and wonder of the North Sea, and its humbling vastness (by UK standards), it holds the wonder just as staring into a log fire, for ages.

[@andystutchbury2514]

Lovely nostalgic film..and as ever with the most wonderfully haunting music. Beautiful walk.

[@seanjamescameron]

Lovely walk, now I have fish and chips in my mind. Maybe a Sunday treat tonight!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

can't beat it - had some down at Worthing at the weekend

[@QHarefield]

I had long since convinced myself that you must be single, since you spend so much time walking, or travelling to places. It was good to meet your family. Keep up the good work!

[@shauntodd7123]

Great part of Essex. I was born in Clacton and spent my early uears in Walton. Walked from Frinton to Walton on the sea wall and gone along by Motorbike.

[@johnslight5742]

Thank you, John. Fascinating! Another little masterpiece. This time with a family touch. Love it!

[@patriciadodman1284]

Great video John on a walk we know so well, a hidden gem on the Essex coastline.

[@dambrooks7578]

A fabulous day of places I have not been to in probably twenty years, if not more, but being from Essex means that we would go on holiday to Walton-on-the-Naze every year without fail.

[@dambrooks7578]

Of course that peer isn't as attractive as the proper peer, but that maybe is my southern Essex pride that I didn't know that I had, but Southend peer is still better than the one in this video 📹

[@TimothyHalkowski]

Love the tower!

[@janebaker966]

Lovely primeval sea images. Nice place. An unvisited by me part of England. I'm of an age that I recall all those comics of the sixties,the likes of Bob Monkhouse,Ken Dodd,Jimmy Tarbuck and many others on the tv or radio. They would mention some place names,and you knew from their arch facial expression and voice inflexion that you were supposed to laugh,that the place mentioned was somehow inherently funny. Frinton on Sea was one of those places as was Neasden,Cricklewood,and some other London suburbs. Most of those comics came from Northern industrial towns way oop north and their introduction and easing into the undoubtedly much more sophisticated and nuanced London life,maybe with celebrity neighbours must have been a bit traumatic for them on reflection. I'm rambling again. See,I love how you DONT laugh and sneer at "suburbia" but show us the magic in "ordinary " places.

[@robertbarling5601]

Thanks for a great video John. Bob.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Bob

[@dornierdo2172]

Fantastic video John. 😃👍

[@marty9011]

Interesting walk. The different levels of beach huts is amazing. Coastal walks are lovely.

[@neilfromdownunder9204]

Nice walk John and I agree with Heidi about the seagulls as some of the biggest seagulls I've ever seen were in England and I would have had extra clothing on too as no-one born in Australia would be saying 16-17° by the beach is a warm day...😀

[@carlbyronrodgers]

I first heard of Frinton during a sketch with Peter Sellers with Irene Handl.She also mentioned it was hoi polloi free.

[@davidstarling4334]

A walk around shingle Street near Hosley Bay is the perfect place for fresh air and great views of the North Sea, just down the coast from Orford..l enjoy all your videos regards David.

[@grahamsmart7604]

Cant believe it John, was on the same walk last week, drove from weeley to Frinton walked to walton then back to Frinton for a saussge sandwich at Freds cafe in connaught ave, really enjoyed this one, thanks

[@nickbwalks]

That is another excellent video John, I have never visited Frinton while living in Essex, but I will definitely have to go now. keep up the brilliant work, I look forward to the next video, where ever I may be. 😂

[@grahamsharpin7172]

Great memories of Frinton my late brother and sister in law lived there they loved it there and we loved visiting them there and doing the walk to Walton lovely video 👏👏

[@mikeprior6898]

I’ve been going to Walton Frinton and Clacton for about 50 years love it roll on summer

[@williamcross3648]

Hi John a lovely walk with you and your family, thank you by the way I'm enjoying your book and looking forward to your next one.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much William

[@lizstevenson7801]

That was a very enjoyable walk, great to see Hayley and Joe with you. The history of some of these seaside towns is amazing. Thank you John 💕🇦🇺

[@daveconyard8946]

My Summer Holiday Circa 1964, Happy Memories. Thanks John.

[@godwinsonofwessex]

great location and back to the great original background music.also i love the coastline in and around harwich..something about looking towards felixstowe from harwich is so wonderful. not many places beat it for me...other than kendal in cumbria...the views in and around kendal are stunning..let alone tranquill

[@chrispointer123]

Thank you John for being us to the seaside with you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

My pleasure Chris

[@margaretpickering9500]

Fantastic walk one of my favourite places to go

[@john80c]

Great video John. Amazing that Frinton resisted the Great British Seaside Pub for so long.

[@ArcAudios77]

'Best Wishes' for you & Family John. Was a good watch & listen. Thanks & regards passed from an old Roman Town in East Dunbartonshire.

[@benjamindenton]

There was to be an additional railway station between Frinton and Walton for the 'Frinton Park Estate' which was never completed but has a few examples of Miami-style art deco round houses to this day. Also, one of the old level-crossing gates now sits outside Frinton station in the car park alongside some original pillars and arches from Liverpool Street.

[@sandycheeks7865]

If you go on google street view, in one direction you could see the art deco white building that popped up on that spot in the 80s and in the other direction you can see it replaced with some new monstrosity. It's on that road through the trees with a steep humped back bridge over the railway line

[@RJGleave]

@@sandycheeks7865 (and John Rogers) - Unbelievably, assuming this is the building you mean, on the junction of Central Way and Walton Road, I lived there in my first year of life 1948-49. My parents rented a flat above what had been intended as a shop, but which never opened because of the war. The adjacent rooms were occupied by a Masonic Lodge from which were heard strange sounds in the evenings! My first memories are looking out of the window to see my grandfather in his Rover car and also hiding at the back during a thunderstorm. I believe that attempts were made to rescue the iconic art deco building, but it succumbed to developers a couple of years ago. I am glad that I managed to visit it before its sad demise.

[@sandycheeks7865]

@@RJGleave As kids we used to be driven around past this building and I always used to wonder what it's weird, out of place, use was. It always seemed abandoned but like it was vaguely used for something. What state was it in when you visited before demolition?

[@RJGleave]

@@sandycheeks7865 It had been built in the late 1930s as part of a speculative venture by a developer who had designed an entire estate complete with shops and other facilities which would have extended from Walton Road to the sea-front. Presumably the proposed additional railway station 'Frinton Park Estate' would have served it. Unfortunately for him, the war intervened and his plans never progressed beyond that single building and the road 'Central Way'. My parents rented the flat in early 1948 and stayed there for about two years. As I said, the other upper storey rooms were occupied by the Freemasons who I believe continued to use it for some years. It is possible that the unopened shops below were used for storage. When I last saw the building, over ten years ago, it was in a sorry state and fenced off so I couldn't get very near. It was constructed using reinforced concrete and looked as though water had caused serious corrosion, so after years of neglect probably it was beyond saving which was a pity. I would have loved to have revisited the flat as it formed part of my very earliest memories. Anyway, I'm glad that I am not the only one who remembers it!

[@mohammedsalikurrahman6704]

Hi John, nice to see you out with family.

[@ajp717]

Thanks John, I always look forward to your posts.

[@barneykennett9282]

Superb John...👍.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Barney

[@terryblack2219]

Thank you John another stunning video it’s funny I remember I once took a service in Frinton parish church and all the people there kept asking me what side of the gates I lived in They meant if you live inside the gates the level Crossing you were quite well to do I said I lived outside the gates at that time I lived in Billericay well outside.. I think I was quite a disappointment to them when they found that I lived beyond the gates however you video was a true blessing thank you

[@liberty_and_justice67]

Beautiful! Great background music and editing. Badly needed respite from current news. Thank you!

[@nelliemelba4967]

Nice peaceful walk, John and family. Looks lovely. Come to the Darenth Valley, John. It's a beautiful part of North Kent!

[@GarethHowell]

Many lazy weekends spent in Walton as a child. There used to be a sign in Frintaon "No picnics on the greensward". Wonder if it's still there.

[@betagombar9022]

Definitely no signs forbidding picnics but still not allowed to sell food/refreshments on the greensward. There was uproar last year when someone tried to sell ice creams 😂

[@robjeavons5982]

Im from colchester now in canada often went to frinton and walton on sundays thanks john

[@orionfoote2890]

That’s a lovely coastline and there were some great shots in the video. I don’t know much about Essex, except for those jokes you seem to hear about people from Essex, and seeing as I don’t live in England, I never understand what they’re on about. Anyway, I really enjoyed that, and the fish n chips looked very appetising - decent sized chips.

[@garphykeks]

Delightful.... As a Brentwood lad, Frinton was so very exotic😎😆 Thank you😉

[@andrewtolley3706]

Thank you john. As always, a satisfying blend of scholarship and the picturesque.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Andrew

[@lewisgardner1660]

You should have got off train at marks tey and took the train to Sudbury and gone over the viaduct at chappel, it’s one of the biggest brick building in the country, I have lived about a mile from it all my 59 years

[@andiharper4498]

Excellent

[@kevincross9206]

Lovely beach, all looked a bit calmer than Hove this morning!! 🤣

[@markriley4665]

What a lovely sojourn John. It reminded me of my recent trip to Sheerness in search locations associated with author, Uwe Johnson. Thank you (once again) for sharing the experience.

[@cockneyjonukmetaldetecting2669]

Beautifully done John as always. Been following you for a couple of years now. My favourite walks are the Epping forest and Wanstead walks. Im Newham born and bred and spent most of my childhood over Wanstead flats and wanstead park. Spent 1000s of hours over the ornimentals fishing etc. Ive just moved to Frinton 6 months ago so was chuffed to see this pop up. You did a great job as always with your commentary and filming. Good luck and look forward to future walking adventures. Thank you

[@yeswap57]

Had fish and chip next to the ferry terminal in Sydney , when I asked what fish it was, she said it was Barramundi ! Doesn’t have the same appeal as cod, but tastes the same👍🏻. Sarf Londoner

[@paulshorney3465]

Went to the parkdean site at Walton on the Naze in September, really nice. Frinton was great too,also Clacton pier and Brightlingsea. Never been to those places before, really glad we did!! 👍👍

[@philhomes233]

A South London walk showing what remains of the 'Grand Surrey Canal' would be fascinating.

[@julieblackstock8650]

Had holidays at Frinton and Walton on the Naze. Really love the area although Felixstowe is my nearest beach now which I also love

[@davidshearer8793]

Love the beach huts, but especially those big skies.

[@1966babysnakes]

Another great video John. Have you ever visited Mersea Island?

[@pennyhumphries8418]

wonderful video. I now live in this area and frequent the places you have shown. I am going to try to send it to friend and family abroad so they can really know where i live. a great watch, thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Penny - means a lot to get the approval of a local

[@dancub1]

Harwich for the Continent, Frinton for the incontinent!

[@betagombar9022]

Someone wrote that in my leaving card when I was moving to the area 😂

[@robbojax2025]

Personaly I have never taken to the east coast but I understand your love if it. Walton brought back memories of a Sunday school trip and in particular playing around the beach huts on the hill.

[@philliphurley5341]

I love that part of the coast. We lived in Walton on the Naze for a short while when we moved from Hoddesdon. My mum used to take me to the beach every day after school. We have lived in Colchester for several years but have been going to Walton, Frinton and Clacton regularly. I live near Hythe Station in Colchester and the coast is only a few minutes away by train.

[@shiprapandey43172]

Nice walk 🚶‍♀️ Beautiful and nice Ma'am 👌. Colour of her jacket very lovely. You spend very lovely time with your family .Sunlight on seashore is amazing.Navigation tower is showing its identity.A country beyond imagination Love this walk 🚶‍♀️ 🙂😀🙋🏻‍♀️👩‍💻🤳✍💖💝.Oceanic view is awesome 👌

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks Shipra

[@shiprapandey43172]

@@JohnRogersWalks thanks sir 🙋🏻‍♀️👩‍💻

[@danielboulton98]

Oooo yes definitely do the quaggy just for the name alone lol

[@LeeJohn70]

Great video John. I've been to Walton and Clacton, but not Frinton. I must pay Frinton a visit. As a child living in Straford in the 1970s, when catching the train from Stratford to either Clacton or Walton on the Naze. We had to get the train from Stratford to Liverpool Street and then Train from Liverpool Street to Clacton or Walton (same performance coming home, train back then never used to Stop at Stratford so back into Liverpool Street and then a train to Stratford) It was a long winded performance. Nice to know after many years you can finally go direct from Stratfod without the performance (Must be because they have finally done Stratford up), that was long overdue. 👍🏻👍🏻😁