'I went to seaside town frozen in time and was so relieved when I left'

I travelled to Clacton in Essex and discovered what it's like to live in a town that's been struggling for years and is now facing an uncertain future

Comments

travel news

‘I moved from Barcelona to London and this one thing hit me the hardest’

‘I moved from Barcelona to London and this one thing hit me the hardest’

'I was left stranded on holiday after I was REFUSED boarding because of allergy'

'I was left stranded on holiday after I was REFUSED boarding because of allergy'

Europe’s ‘Capital of Christmas’ with 450-year-old market and £57 return flights

Europe’s ‘Capital of Christmas’ with 450-year-old market and £57 return flights

Charming English village where 'The Holiday' and 'Bridget Jones' were filmed

Charming English village where 'The Holiday' and 'Bridget Jones' were filmed

Magical market town surrounded by mountains and islands voted best place to live

Magical market town surrounded by mountains and islands voted best place to live

The best 9 UK Christmas markets named - with 4 places completely overlooked

The best 9 UK Christmas markets named - with 4 places completely overlooked

Seven European vacation lakes you must visit at least once — from A-list favorites to under-the-radar gems

Seven European vacation lakes you must visit at least once — from A-list favorites to under-the-radar gems

Princess Diana’s iconic 90s Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt is being re-released — here’s how to get it

Princess Diana’s iconic 90s Virgin Atlantic sweatshirt is being re-released — here’s how to get it

Solo female backpacker takes overnight bus in Cambodia and gets awkward surprise

Solo female backpacker takes overnight bus in Cambodia and gets awkward surprise

Want the Lake District all to yourself? Walk the Cumbria Way

Want the Lake District all to yourself? Walk the Cumbria Way

Fairytale city with direct £20 flights from UK named cheapest for Christmas market break

Fairytale city with direct £20 flights from UK named cheapest for Christmas market break

The ‘magnificent’ Central American country that most tourists haven’t discovered yet

The ‘magnificent’ Central American country that most tourists haven’t discovered yet

'I stayed at New York's new 'hipster hotel' - it's already loved by celebs and I see why'

'I stayed at New York's new 'hipster hotel' - it's already loved by celebs and I see why'

I spent 48 hours in Europe’s most affordable Christmas city — ‘nobody knows where it is’

I spent 48 hours in Europe’s most affordable Christmas city — ‘nobody knows where it is’

History without the hordes and hipster hangouts: These are the Lisbon neighbourhoods that locals love

History without the hordes and hipster hangouts: These are the Lisbon neighbourhoods that locals love

Blue Islands closes down: What are my passenger rights as airline stops flying?

Blue Islands closes down: What are my passenger rights as airline stops flying?

UK airline folds cancelling all flights immediately and leaving passengers stranded

UK airline folds cancelling all flights immediately and leaving passengers stranded

A local’s guide to Bristol’s best bits, street art and hidden gems

A local’s guide to Bristol’s best bits, street art and hidden gems

British airline announces sudden closure and cancels all flights immediately

British airline announces sudden closure and cancels all flights immediately

Blue Islands fails: Second regional airline shuts down within three weeks

Blue Islands fails: Second regional airline shuts down within three weeks

Pretty English-speaking island where you can escape to 22C in winter

Pretty English-speaking island where you can escape to 22C in winter

Man asks 'what would you do' if this happened on your flight

Man asks 'what would you do' if this happened on your flight

I used a big bra as a suitcase and evaded cheeky luggage fares

I used a big bra as a suitcase and evaded cheeky luggage fares

The ‘secret’ Emirate where you can safari right next to a five-star hotel

The ‘secret’ Emirate where you can safari right next to a five-star hotel

Beautiful lesser-known European ski destination with scenery that looks like a movie set

Beautiful lesser-known European ski destination with scenery that looks like a movie set

I went on 57 rides in Disney World and Universal in 2 weeks — one is the best by far

I went on 57 rides in Disney World and Universal in 2 weeks — one is the best by far

World's longest train journey takes eight days but final destination is truly terrifying

World's longest train journey takes eight days but final destination is truly terrifying

Warning over 'highly toxic' fluid illegally mixed with cocktails after Foreign Office alert

Warning over 'highly toxic' fluid illegally mixed with cocktails after Foreign Office alert

These are the cheapest cities for Christmas market breaks in 2025

These are the cheapest cities for Christmas market breaks in 2025

'I live in Milton Keynes - it's the UK's most American city but not how you might think'

'I live in Milton Keynes - it's the UK's most American city but not how you might think'

'I’m a travel expert - here’s how you can go skiing in Europe for £200pp with everything included'

'I’m a travel expert - here’s how you can go skiing in Europe for £200pp with everything included'

Trump Administration Scraps Cash Payments for Delayed or Canceled Flights

Trump Administration Scraps Cash Payments for Delayed or Canceled Flights

Cheese fans flock to Bern as thousand compete to win prestigious World Cheese Award

Cheese fans flock to Bern as thousand compete to win prestigious World Cheese Award

Hands off my seat: Shocking mid-air moment sparks debate on plane etiquette

Hands off my seat: Shocking mid-air moment sparks debate on plane etiquette

'I'm a pilot and there's chilling reason window shades come up on take-off and landing'

'I'm a pilot and there's chilling reason window shades come up on take-off and landing'

What’s a Digital Passport and How Does It Work?

What’s a Digital Passport and How Does It Work?

Sharm El Sheikh is the ultimate winter sun holiday destination without the jet lag

Sharm El Sheikh is the ultimate winter sun holiday destination without the jet lag

These are the busiest rail travel days you need to avoid this festive season

These are the busiest rail travel days you need to avoid this festive season

Where is Netflix’s Frankenstein filmed? The UK stately homes behind the Gothic drama

Where is Netflix’s Frankenstein filmed? The UK stately homes behind the Gothic drama

The 10 best European Christmas markets for a magical winter break

The 10 best European Christmas markets for a magical winter break

Trump team axes Biden plan that would have paid passengers for flight delays

Trump team axes Biden plan that would have paid passengers for flight delays

10 best boutique hotels in Seville, reviewed by a city expert for style and location

10 best boutique hotels in Seville, reviewed by a city expert for style and location

'Most beautiful Christmas market - and I have visited over 100'

'Most beautiful Christmas market - and I have visited over 100'

'I've been to over 100 Christmas markets - where to go for best food'

'I've been to over 100 Christmas markets - where to go for best food'

Don’t miss TUI’s Black Friday deals for booking your next break, with up to £300 off package holidays now

Don’t miss TUI’s Black Friday deals for booking your next break, with up to £300 off package holidays now

Popular Lapland-themed attraction opens second site in Manchester

Popular Lapland-themed attraction opens second site in Manchester

Every single location Ryanair is axing in its 2026 holiday cull

Every single location Ryanair is axing in its 2026 holiday cull

The supporters of these teams are banned from applying to new Ryanair ‘dogsbody’ role

The supporters of these teams are banned from applying to new Ryanair ‘dogsbody’ role

Ryanair to stop more flights from this European country next summer

Ryanair to stop more flights from this European country next summer

New Forest tourists issued warning about harassing pigs for selfies

New Forest tourists issued warning about harassing pigs for selfies

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Martin Starr

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Martin Starr

Looking for a pickup game of soccer? Try the Americana at Brand parking lot

World's longest straight road stretches for 150 miles without a single bend

World's longest straight road stretches for 150 miles without a single bend

Calls for taller ticket barriers to cut fare evasion

Calls for taller ticket barriers to cut fare evasion

Destination with November sea warm enough to swim in that's budget-friendly

Destination with November sea warm enough to swim in that's budget-friendly

Packing hack for winter clothes that maximises space in your luggage - not rolling

Packing hack for winter clothes that maximises space in your luggage - not rolling

Celebrity Race Across the World locations: Where is the 2025 series filmed?

Celebrity Race Across the World locations: Where is the 2025 series filmed?

‘Do not travel’ warning issued for rail passengers as Storm Claudia sweeps in

‘Do not travel’ warning issued for rail passengers as Storm Claudia sweeps in

Charming city is European 'sleep capital' and surrounded by lush green forest

Charming city is European 'sleep capital' and surrounded by lush green forest

Ancient fairytale village with thatched cottages perfect for cosy autumn break

Ancient fairytale village with thatched cottages perfect for cosy autumn break