Frinton-On-Sea: Paradise, Lost?
I find that some of the most fascinating histories can be discovered in the most seemingly banal places.
For me, that has been exploring the rich history of a seaside town my family summered in: Frinton-on-Sea. Often overlooked or frowned upon, this Essex town holds surprising stories, having accommodated figures such as Winston Churchill, Prince Edward, and even Queen Elizabeth II herself.
I discovered that the house where our holiday flat now resides was once the holiday home of Churchill and Prince Edward. Although it has now been divided into six apartments—two of which belong to our family, the rest featuring PVC windows (no comment needed)—Frinton still feels like a place lost in time. It’s certainly changed; Peacocks has replaced the boutiques that once lined its High Street, Connaught Avenue, in the 1950s and ’60s.
When Frinton began to be developed, strict rules were implemented to prevent it from becoming like other seaside towns. Piers were banned, and so were pubs—the first and only pub, the Lock & Barrel, didn’t open until 2000. Instead, the town saw the creation of the Golf Club, Cricket Club and Lawn Tennis Club.
It also attracted figures from the arts, such as Charles Voysey, who designed the famous Homestead, showcasing designs of the Arts and Crafts movement.
One of my favourite quirks about Frinton is that you must pass through the railway gates to enter the town, adding to its unique air.
It is certainly no St Ives or Bantham; the modern crime of tasteless, functional architecture has left its mark on the town, and the wind farm visible from the beach huts hardly contributes to its natural beauty. Yet, amidst these Orwellian intrusions lie little portals to the past, where locals seem to linger—especially while enjoying a pint at the Golf, Cricket or Lawn Tennis club. Together, these elements create a mishmash of elegant antiquity and modern brutality, forming a higgledy-piggledy town that, despite everything, retains a peculiar and friendly charm.
Featured below is a painting by Sir Winston Churchill titled: An Avenue at Frinton-On-Sea, Essex; with Miss Diana Churchill
