1 week Ago By [email protected] (Chloe Brewster)
A quiet village by the river is a tiny hidden gem with a peaceful beach and just one shop. St Lawrence, on the edge of the Dengie Peninsula in Maldon is accessible by just a single access road leading down to the estuary shore. The village feels like a traditional waterside community and driving to the beach you will pass the village’s unique homes, pebble paths, plenty of caravans and a singular modest shop.
The village boasts just 1,500 residents and 600 homes, and yet is a vibrant community, even more so in the summer months when the population swells. Not only a quaint town, St Lawrence offers a beautiful stretch of beach, known as St Lawrence Bay, where visitors can relax on the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary. The coastal location of the village makes it a perfect spot for watersports, with Stone Watersports Club and Stone Sailing Club cashing in each summer.
READ MORE: The Essex village in the 'worst' area to live with the 'best beach in England' READ MORE: The 5 Essex brilliant restaurants named in prestigious Muddy Stilettos awards Alongside the clubs lies one of two village pubs, The Stone Inn, which offers traditional homemade meals with the opportunity to dine or drink on the waterfront. The St Lawrence Holiday Park is a popular and friendly holiday park in the village, which sits on 11 acres of land and boasts its own private beach. From the private beach, visitors can enjoy swimming, sailing, paddle boarding, jet skis, water skiing and more.
If you prefer to stay on shore, St Lawrence is known for its outdoor pursuits, with a footpath alongside the estuary with good views of the surrounding countryside and wildlife. Along the sea wall you will spot the pillboxes that were used to defend the estuary during the Second World War. From here you can gaze across the estuary, where you will see the shores of Osea Island - a private island famous for its celebrity guests , including Rihanna, Stormzy, and Daniel Radcliffe.
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