Clacton On Sea – Walton On the Naze Walk – 03.08.2013

“Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside
Oh I do like to be beside the sea!
I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom!” © 1907 by John A. Glover-Kind

As we were about to embark on our stroll along the coast, I was reminded of this quirky song about the seaside. The sun was shining, the sea was sparkling blue, children were making sandcastles and the whole place just generally buzzing! How nice to see the English Seaside so busy! Our journey had brought us to the seaside town of Clacton On Sea, where smugglers have walked along the beaches, fortifications have been built to defend the coastline and Billy Butlin built his wonderland for holidays! Our walk in Clacton started out from the end of Clacton Sea Front and we were heading towards Clacton Pier

Had we carried out this walk quite some time back, the area would have been very different. The whole place would have been home to Butlins Holiday camp, which provided many happy hours of holiday fun in years gone by. The camp was built in 1938 and despite being requisitioned by the MOD for use during World II, it soon reopened its gates for holidaymakers. The camp’s heyday was during the late 50’s / 60’s and during 1958 Cliff Richard and the drifters played here! Sadly the camp closed in 1983 as tourists choose cheap foreign holidays instead of the Butlins holiday. Unfortunately this led to a decline in people visiting Clacton, however, I could see today the town seems to have survived the closure of such a place despite it being sadly missed!

Just at the edge of the seafront I caught sight of an odd shaped building, this was a “Martello Tower”. The tower was not built as a seaside attraction, but to deter invading forces away from the shoreline. This fortification was built during the early C19th as part of a defence strategy against the Emperor Napoleon’s impending invasion. Quite a number of these turrets still exist throughout England although they are no longer fortresses of any kind. I am not sure about the name “Martello” really, I think it sounds like some sort of sweet LOL. We headed away from the tower and strolled along the seafront to enjoy the sights and sounds of the seaside.

From 2013 – 03.08.2013 – Clacton – Walton On the Naze Walk

It was not long before we had reminder that these beaches had not always been about sandcastles. Smugglers once roamed the local area and it was known that they used to load their cargo on the beach here at Clacton. Unlike the town of today, the beach was accessible between two marshes, making it more attractive to smugglers. Particularly, as the revenue men would have been unable to reach the beach quickly from their barracks in Colchester! Since the early C19th Clacton’s seashore now sees more tourists than Smugglers! During the first part of the C20th, the beach, saw another visitor, Sir Winston Churchill. He was forced to land at Clacton on sea in a naval plane.

As we walked further along the promenade, the beach and walkway became much more crowded. This was because we were approaching the centre of attraction for Clacton – “Clacton Pier”. The pier was full of amusements and rides, a far cry from it’s original use when it was built in 1871. Originally, the pier was used by steamboats to bring goods to the town, but it also brought many day trippers to the area. So it was not long before the pier was altered to include many light entertainments including it’s own pavilion. The pier suffered damage during Second World War and since then it has passed through several hands and despite improvements over the years, it suffered a decline. The current owners of pier have completely refurbished the bars and renewed the rides and hope that the pier will be around for a long time to come!

We headed away from the pier by walking up the hill under a Venetian style Bridge. It was constructed in the early C20th in order to provide a continuous walk through the seafront gardens, which had been landscaped on both sides of the cliffs. When we reached the top of the slope, we turned into a small amusement park which now resides in what would have once been part of these formal gardens. Taking a glance across to the other side of the bridge, the gardens were in full bloom, if we had time, it looked a nice place to sit and enjoy watching the world go by! We carried on walking through the maze of rides and past the crazy golf to find our way back to the seashore. We did stop, for a few moments, to take in the view, where we could see along the pier and both ways along Clacton beach.

From 2013 – 03.08.2013 – Clacton – Walton On the Naze Walk

We rejoined the promenade to continue our walk along the seafront, which seems to stretch on for quite some time. The whole walkway is part of the Clacton sea defences, which have been built and strengthened over the years. Some of the defences were built in 1889, a sure sign that the peoples of the area knew that the sea could cause a lot of problems along the coast. We have seen some of the coastal erosion when we walked to Hemsby, so it seems that Clacton is quite prepared. Strolling further along, we left the noise of Clacton behind and the beaches became much quieter. With the blue skies and shining sun it really was a lovely day for a walk, we were even treated to see a beautiful bird of prey just hovering by the side of the path, not taking any notice of us.

We followed the path up a slope and out on to a large expanse of open fields. The coast path seemed to blend into the landscaped as it was no longer defined by the cliffs which it shadowed. I could see a small notice board in the distance, so I took the opportunity to find out where we had walked. It was “Holland Haven Country Park”, the whole reserve is roughly 100 acres, which would be great to explore sometime! Not only does it contain fields, it has quite a lot of marshland and the park been designated an area of SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). It has therefore been recognised that rare and varied flora grow here.

We decided to walk along the sea wall, rather than the dusty track next to the park. The sandy trail below us was actually a cycle route and was very popular, I was quite glad we were walking along the wall as avoiding the all the cyclists! Just beyond the cycle route the scenery seemed to changed from the wild unkempt fields, to immaculately looking green grass. We were walking past a Golf Course which was very well kept, apparently this particular course has been established here since 1895! The sea wall suddenly became more of a walkway once again, as we had reached quite a number of beachhuts, most of which were in use. It was quite difficult to negotiate this part of the footpath as it was so packed!

From 2013 – 03.08.2013 – Clacton – Walton On the Naze Walk

Just beyond the huts we were able to find a shelter to stop and have some lunch and rest for a while. As I gazed around, beachhuts seemed to line the entire shoreline. Apparently there are just over 1000 beach huts in this area, and have been a feature here since the Victorian era. Just behind the huts was a small town, this was Frinton-On-Sea. Frinton On Sea seems like a quiet seaside town as it does not have the amusements like Clacton On Sea, but nonetheless has the main attraction of a lovely beach 🙂 So much so that it has attracted visitors such as, Edward and Mrs Simpson! Rested, we continued on past the beachhuts and left Frinton-On-Sea behind.

The coast path had brought us to Walton Pier, which was very busy for late afternoon. This pier was originally built during the 1870’s but unfortunately it did not reach out into deep enough waters for boats to dock alongside. Therefore the pier was rebuilt in 1898 with a much longer length, so much so it had a small tramway on the pier! It has survived fire and storms and is still standing today. Our walk was to take us away from the seafront and to take us into Walton itself. Walton does hold its own charm and unlike some larger seaside places, shops are small and the entire place is not overcrowded by amusements. Walton’s peak as a seaside resort was prior to the second world war, it was a popular place to visit.

“The town lies between the sea-cliffs and Walton Creek, which is much frequented by sportsmen in quest of wild fowl, and on the head of the creek stand powerful tide and wind mills: the air is salubrious and bracing, and the beach, consisting of sand and fine shingle, is well adapted for bathing, and affords a pleasant promenade, the ebb tide leaving a hard smooth sand.”

Kelly’s Directory of Essex 1937

Sadly it was badly damaged by bombs during the war and with the pier being partially closed for a while meant the holiday trade ceased. Unfortunately post 1945 Walton’s Glory days have never really returned, which is a shame as it a quaint place to visit. At the end of the high street, was the parish church, “All Saints”. I was keen to note that this church was built in the late C19th and was to replace the original church in Walton, which fell into the sea in 1798! I can see why the church was built so far away from the cliff edge!

We ended our walk here for the day, it had been such a lovely day to walk along the prom 🙂 Please feel free to look through all the photos for this walk –

2013 – 03.08.2013 – Clacton – Walton On the Naze Walk

Our route was as follows –

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Harrow on the Hill – South Harrow Walk – 03.03.2013

“Up on Harrowdown hill
Where you went to school
That’s where I am
That’s where I’m lying down” © Thom Yorke, 2006, Chrysalis Music

What a great thought to lie down, sit back, relax and enjoy “Harrow On the Hill” where we were heading today. Unfortunately, Thom Yorke, was referring to another Harrow in England, it is just a coincidence that this “Harrow on the Hill” also has a school! The hill is not too steep to walk and provided some charming views whilst we made our way up. As we seemed to near the top, our paths crossed with the “Capital Ring”, a footpath which we have encountered previously. We thought that we would follow some of the “ring” for our walk today, but not as far as some of the sign suggested, particularly as Crystal Palace was just over 30 miles!

As I turned around from the sign I noticed a small wooden emblem engraved “Old Music Schools – Museum of Harrow Life” on the brick building behind us. The school was built in the late 1800’s when the need arose for a separate building for the Music Department. The Architect ensured that the structure had a band room, practice rooms and a concert hall with amazing acoustics. I can just imagine the melodious sounds that would have emanated from this building! I am not surprised that the original name of the lane where the school was built, was known as “Music Lane”. Today the building houses a museum and the rooms are used for lecturing, a far cry from its initial use. As the building no longer makes beautiful music, the name of the lane is now “Football Lane”, probably due to the lane leading to school football fields.

From 2013 – 03.03.2013 – Harrow On The Hill – South Harrow Walk

I looked up to see a statue of Queen Elizabeth 1 which adorns the side of the School. Harrow on the Hill School as it stands to day, was founded in February 1572 under Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I to a local Farmer John Lyon. However, construction of first school was not started until 1608 after John Lyon’s wife sadly passed away. The School was completed in 1615 and some of the original school still stands today! The School has produced some notable students in its time such as former prime minister Winston Churchill, first prime minster of India Jawaharlal Nehru, Lord Byron, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell and FA Cup founder C.W. Alcock. The school is very active today and I am sure still produces outstanding students in a variety of things. However, I am not sure that “Charms Class” would are on the school curriculum, Professor Flitwick’s, Charms Class, was filmed in one of the form rooms of Harrow Old School.

One student, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Lord Shaftesbury, has the following inscription on the side of the school –

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor”

It was here on the hill he saw with shame and indignation a pauper funeral which was to awaken his lifelong devotion to the service of the poor and oppressed. During his political career he worked tirelessly to have acts passed in parliament to ensure life would be improved for people. These Acts included the Ten Hours Act in 1833 , Mines and Collieries Act in 1842 and Chimney Sweepers Act in 1875. These acts would make changes to people lives for the better ensuring that children would not work long hours or work deep underground.

Finally passing on by the School we had reached the very top of the hill and the church which is perched prominently on of it. A church has been on the hill since the C11th, although the Church has been rebuilt and renewed many times in it’s lifetime. With the spire reaching in to the sky and its wonderful and peaceful location, this church certainly does have some great advantages. Although being so high the church is used as a navigational reference for aircraft approaching RAF Northolt! I was not surprised to learn that one of the Harrows more prestigious students, Lord Bryon used to while away the hours in the church yard gazing at the amazing view that we stumbled across when we walked the other side of the church.

“Again I behold where for hours I have ponder’d,
As reclining, at eve, on yon tombstone I lay;
Or round the steep brow of the churchyard I wander’d,
To catch the last gleam of the sun’s setting ray.”
On a Distant View of The Village And School of Harrow On The Hill, Lord Byron, 1806

As we sat gazing across the view it was very easy to see how Lord Byron would sit for hours. We were strongly thinking the same as we sat there eating our sandwiches. On a clear day, apparently you are able to see Windsor Castle in the distance from here, but I am not quite so sure –

From 2013 – 03.03.2013 – Harrow On The Hill – South Harrow Walk

We did eventually walk on and leave the beloved view behind. We rejoined the path to take us on the other side of the hill. This part of the path was not so inviting to walk as it was a little dark and dingy. Particularly as it walks past what seems like the abandoned Cemetery of St Mary’s Church. I was quite glad when the path came out onto open ground. We were a little disappointed not to be able to find any further signage of the “Capital Ring”, which we had found earlier, which was shame as that seemed like a logical path to follow at this point. Therefore we decided to make our own route for the rest of the walk.

The way were walking now was to take us past the “John Lyon School” Office. As mentioned before, John Lyon was the founder of the Harrow School after Queen Elizabeth issued a Royal Charter in 1572. However, in 1876, a further school was founded when it was deemed that the Harrow School had pupils from outside of the area outnumbering locals. Just past the school I noticed that they were renovating a cricket field, which I presume had been damaged by all the bad weather that we had have had. As we walked around the fields, I noticed that the tiny scoreboard building had a small inscription stating that the Cricket Nets were laid in memory of “Mark Tindall” who was in charge of Harrow XI from 1946 – 1969.

From 2013 – 03.03.2013 – Harrow On The Hill – South Harrow Walk

Mark Tindall MBE studied in Harrow School and while he there he was able to play Cricket. A few weeks after leaving Harrow, he made his debut for Middlesex and he was hit 85 against a Nottinghamshire. He made a century in his Freshmen’s Match at Cambridge, passed 1,000 runs in all in 1936 and was made captain in 1937. Unfortunately, things changed in Cambridge during 1937 and his own form declined. After this time he did not play cricket again until 1946 when he master-in-charge of cricket at Harrow XI, until 1959.

We continued on with the walk, but this time it was mostly along roads. We found that our walk had taken us to South Harrow. We passed by the Tube Station and we carried on down the high Street. We were heading for another destination, Alexandra Park, which is not far from the main road. We discovered a concealed entrance to the park from the main high road, not your usual park gates that you would find. A bit disappointing if you ask me as the park seems to be hidden from the main road and house, which is a shame as it is rather nice.

“Alexandra Park” was opened in 1940 and was named after Queen Alexandra who was wife of Edward VII, and was a frequent visitor to the area. The park is pleasant to walk around and as we walked further into the park we came across some artwork. The sculpture was “Inner View” by Lorraine Benton, it was certainly interesting to look at and if we had time could have provoked some discussion as to what it represented. As we walked a continued around we found the park had a little Millennium garden as well which could have sat down and enjoyed too. However, it really was time to finish our walk as the afternoon was drawing in for us.

For all the afternoon walks photos, please click on the photo below –

2013 – 03.03.2013 – Harrow On The Hill – South Harrow Walk

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