Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Walton on the Naze – Gold sandy beaches perfect for small children



We haven’t gone to the beach too much since Alex was born,  the cold water and waves always scared him and he ended up running away. I was worried at one point as I saw most toddlers playing happily in the water but someone told me children will enjoy it when they are ready and this is now Alex’s case at 5 years old.



I really liked the town center, small and friendly, the streets adorned with colourful hanging baskets and buzzing with families shopping for beach items. Compared with Clacton, it is relatively quiet. We parked nearby and we headed to the beach.  There were two things that initially caught my attention, firstly, the colour of the sand! smooth and golden, and secondly, how shallow the water was on the beach, which is perfect for babies, and toddlers that are first being introduced to the sea.  


The texture of the damp sand is perfect to make sand castles. The sea forms pools on the beach for very small children and we all know how much they love jumping in them! We went to the Pier and bought a wristband for Alex for £10.00 which allowed him to have as many rides as he wanted,  there were a good selection of rides ideal for younger children (4-6) (adults can also go on with the children for free) . Big arcade, ten pin bowling...and a pub for the mums and dads!



We then went to get something to eat at the Piers restaurant which I don’t recommend, its best to go to a nearby restaurant not many healthy choices and not great quality food. I would rather pay a bit more for better quality food. 

We went to the beach near the Pier, the beach was clean and you could see through the clear water, there weren’t many people as it was a Monday, Alex had his bucket and spade ready and off he went. He enjoyed jumping in the beach puddles and felt confident enough to walk further into the water; he also said he wanted to go swimming! This was a first for Alex!. Very smooth little waves, almost non existent, which is what usually scares Alex. You can hire windbreaks, sun umbrellas and of course deckchairs which were around £2.50 per day. Beach huts are also available for hire, TDC Tourist Information Office Open During High-Season Tel: 01255 675542


When we were finished we headed out onto the Pier for a walk and what a view.! Just beautiful, there were a few people fishing and some crabbing. Nice to take a walk down the end of the pier and look at Walton from the end of one of the longest piers in the world.


Walton on the Naze is also famous for unusual specimens such as prehistoric turtle fossils. The eroding “red crag” clay cliffs here are thought to be two million years old. Together with Walton-on-the-Naze’s gently shelving sandy beach, they have yielded some dramatic prehistoric finds. Discoveries include some of the best bird fossils in the world, alongside extra-large sharks’ teeth specimens, and unfathomably ancient turtle fossils.

Verdict:

Clean and sandy beaches ideal for small children, the small pools formed by the sea are ideal for babies and toddlers. The funfair on the pier is great value for money with rides mostly for smaller children. I don’t recommend eating at the Piers restaurant, but finding a local pub or restaurant instead. We had a great time, one of the best beaches I have been to in the area.

For more information visit the Walton on the Naze website at:



www.wheretotakeourchildren.co.uk
@SuffolkKids

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