Esplanade Walk including lunch and drinks stops

Fancy joining us for a refreshing and sociable Bank Holiday Walk along the Seafront with lunch and drink stops along the way? Sea air, wildlife, interesting facts, hostelries, and maybe the odd ice-cream - what more could you want ?! The weather is due to be a lovely 22-ish degrees, so we'll stop for refreshments en route to keep us all hydrated.

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✪ WHAT WE'LL DO... ✪

12:00: Meet at The Old Garrison in Shoeburyness which is close to Shoeburyness train station for a quick drink before we head off at about 1240. We'll call in at the Harvester Shorehouse en route approx 1300 in case anyone wants to join us there, as this also has parking, before heading onwards.

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✪ FACTS - MULBERRY HARBOUR ✪

Next, we'll meander down to the Seafront and past Mulberry Harbour. Southend’s "Mulberry Harbour" is actually a surviving World War II 'Phoenix Caisson' located about 1.25 miles off the coast of Thorpe Bay. It was meant for the D-Day landings but sank here after springing a leak. The 3,000-ton concrete relic is a popular, yet dangerous, mudwalking destination.

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✪ SEAFRONT ✪

Taking in the sea air, we'll continue along the seafront towards Thorpe Bay and call in at the Ocean Beach for light refreshments and a spot of lunch (optional) if people would like to eat, or just stop for a drink. I have tables reserved on the terrace, or you can just chill on the beach....

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✪ EASTERN ESPLANADE ✪

The next leg of our walk takes us further along the Seafront to the Castle Hotel, before meandering our way past the Aquarium and along the glittering Seafront amusement Arcades. There will be a lot of lively activity and music, and we pass the Borough Hotel, with a live band for those that want to pop in, or recharge with some chips....
We'll then continue along and up Pier Hill.....

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✪ FACTS - PIER HILL ✪

Completed in January 2005, the cost of rebuilding and re-landscaping this area was £5.8m. Just under half come from an EU grant.
We'll walk past the Royal Hotel and Mews, and onto Prittlewell Square.

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✪ FACTS - PRITTLEWELL SQ PARK ✪

With its glorious fountains and old clock, this park lies within the Clifftown Conservation Area.
The clock at the entrance was donated by local jeweller R A Jones. It rarely works these days, often showing the correct time only twice a day.

We continue walking through the stunning Clifftown Conservation Area until we reach our final destination....

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✪ THE TERRACE BAR ✪

With its outside decking, selection of cold drinks and food available in the sun trap outside on the patio, this is the perfect place to relax in the sunshine after a long walk.

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✪ DISTANCE & SAFETY ✪

TOTAL DISTANCE is approx. 4.4 miles. You are welcome to join or leave whenever you wish. Times are approximate and will depend on the venues themselves and how busy they are. I will update timings and let you know if we are running late.

Please bring water, snacks, a hat and sunscreen if required.

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✪ RSVP REQUIRED ✪

You must be a member of our group and RSVP before attending. Members can bring a guest as their +1 (who is also single & aged 40-62 and is a first timer).
We are unable to include strangers or non-members. Couples who met in our group are welcome.

Please click RSVP if you'd like to come along as it helps us know who to expect and you'll be kept up to date by email. If you later find you can't make it, please undo your RSVP asap - it's courteous, only takes a moment and could free up a space for someone else.

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✪ NEWER MEMBERS ✪

For newer members, don't worry about your first few visits as everyone is here to have a good time, make new friends and socialise so you're pretty much guaranteed to enjoy the afternoon.
If you don't know your hosts, take a look at our photos, come and say hello and we'll introduce you to the others.

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✪ MEETING SPOT & CAR PARK ✪

We'll meet from 12:00 in the Old Garrison in the garden for an optional drink before we leave. We leave at 12:40pm so please arrive by 12:30 latest to meet everyone before we finish our drinks and move on.

We will finish near Southend Central Station for anyone that needs to jump back on the train to Shoeburyness.
We hope to see you there....