The best places to watch the sunset in Essex

As the longest day of the year is close we have selected a few of our favourite locations to see spectacular sunsets to celebrate the Summer solstice. There is nothing better than watching the sky glow up as the sun goes down on a warm summers evening.

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Set sail on a traditional Thames Sailing Barge

Watch the sun go down with a glass of prosecco on a sunset cruise with Topsail Charters. This 2 hour evening trip leaves from Maldon quay and sails past Northey and Osea Islands. There is a bar on board and you can take your own food or buy Maldon smoked fish platter and cheese and ham ploughmans. Enjoy the beauty of the River Blackwater. 

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Grab a drink with friends

Leigh on Sea is full of galleries, art shops, artisan cafes and boutique shops. Walk down the cobbled streets overlooking the sea and stop at the cockle sheds, pubs or restaurants. Whilst keeping its nostalgic feel Leigh has become a friendly and funky place to be. The Boatyard is a great place to watch the sun go down with good food and a drink in hand with friends. 

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Sweeping views over Southend on Sea

On a summers evening when the sun goes down, with palm trees and the sound of the sea you’d be forgiven thinking you are abroad. Watch the sunset from the beach at Southend. To get a birds eye view of the sun going down over the sea you may want to go on the new City Wheel at Adventure Island. 

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Unwind on an Island

Located on the stunning Mersea Island the award winning Waldegraves Holiday Park has its own beach and is the perfect place to unwind for the day watching the sun go down. Cudmore Grove Country Park is a magical beach setting to watch the sky glow as the sun sets for the day.

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Maritime backdrop 

The historical maritime town of Harwich takes you back in time with a piece of history around every corner. From England’s first purpose built cinema to reminders of the Mayflower ship, Harwich offers a full day of interesting places to visit. Take a stroll along the pier to watch the sunset or enjoy the view whilst eating at the Pier Hotel, a luxury hotel offering mouth-watering food. 

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Romantic ruins 

Hadleigh Country Park is home to the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course, a small farm and café, it also has the romantic ruins of a royal castle overlooking the estuary. Hadleigh Castle is high up on a hill with magnificent views and is a spectacular spot to watch the sun go down on the day. 

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Summer concerts 

Listen to music as the sun sets behind the stage in the stunning surroundings of Audley End House and Gardens. Perfect for a great family day out as well as hosting summer concerts. Or watch the sun go down at some of our other venues hosting outdoor music and cinema events such as Hedingham Castle, Hylands Estate, RHS Hyde Hall and Colchester Castle Park.

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Picture perfect

Thaxted is a quaint English town whose windmill and church spier dominate the skyline surrounded by medieval buildings, cobbled streets and rolling countryside.  Situated near is the picture perfect village of Finchingfield and the market towns of Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow; all full of photo opportunities.

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Sunset on the water

Watch the sunset from the water on a kayak at Burnham on Crouch or if you would rather stay on dry land, park at Marsh Farm Country Park and walk along the footpath to the left, looking back to view the glowing colours of the sunset. The seawall at Heybridge Basin and Hullbridge, are also perfect places to see the sun go down.

Further north, Wrabness is a small village situated between Manningtree and Harwich and is probably best known for its nature reserve, head here if you want to see a magical sunset from the beach whilst listening to the wildlife.