✨ Hidden Gems Near Frinton-on-Sea Worth Knowing About

Some places are easy to find. Others are the ones guests end up recommending once they’ve been.

Here are a few worth knowing about.

🍸 East Coast Distillery – Small, Local & Easy to Miss

East Coast Distillery is a small batch Gin Distillery in Landemere, Thorpe-le-soken.

They offer "make your own gin" classes and free gin tours on a Saturday.

And if that's not enough they have a shop selling and celebrating lots of local produce.

Best book yourself a taxi and pack a few reusable shopping bags!

🏘️ Mistley & Manningtree - Small, Friendly & Worth a Wander

Manningtree is one of England's UK's smallest towns and has a real cozy and relaxed feel about it with quaint shops, pubs and cafés.

The Anchor boast a sizeable ourdoor seating area out the back from where you can grab lunch and watch the wildlife and boats on the river Stour.

Mistley is full of tales of witchcraft and is home to one of the eldest oak tress in the country - Old Knobbley. Park up at the Mistley Village Hall car park and then follow the paths through the woods until you reach the old oak. You can't miss him!

🌿 Beth Chatto Gardens - Calm, Thoughtful & Beautiful

Beth Chatto Gardens is a short drive away on the way to Colchester and was designed by the late, award-winning gardener, Beth Chatto.

It’s not just one garden - it’s a series of very different spaces, so you don’t feel like you’re walking the same loop. And the excellent tearoom makes it easy to turn it into a relaxing, slow couple of hours.

🥕 Hastys Farm

Hastys Adventure Farm is an award winning family day out, yet it is a much simpler setup than the bigger farm parks.

Children can get up close to the animals, including feeding goats. There’s space to run around with go carts, grass sledges, sand and water play, a huge undercover adventure zone and a little ones soft play area.

It’s easy, low-key and doesn’t feel overwhelming, which is often exactly what you want with younger children.

🌊 And Honestly… Sea View Cottage & Frinton Itself

Sometimes the hidden gem is the place you’re already in.

Relaxing in a quiet, cosy self-catering cottage, wandering down Eton Road to the beach with the dogs or kids in tow, then coming back to light the log burner or catch the last of the evening sun in the enclosed garden, that’s usually the part people remember most.

The patio is a real sun trap in the warmer months and one of my favourite places to sit with a coffee or glass of wine after a day out. I’ve recently added a new outdoor table and chairs, which makes it even easier to slow down and enjoy a quieter evening back at the cottage.

If you fancy slowing down for a few days by the sea, you can find out more about Sea View Cottage and available dates here.

👉 If you’re already planning your stay, here are more things to do nearby and in Frinton itself.

💬 Know somewhere I should add?

If you’ve found a spot nearby you think others would love, I’d really like to hear it. I’ll keep adding to this as guests discover new favourites 😊