I've walked the whole UK coast and this often-mocked island one hour from London is the friendliest seaside town
OFF THE COAST I've walked the whole UK coast and this often-mocked island one hour from London is the friendliest seaside town
WHEN Quintin Lake travelled for five years around the UK, he encountered all sorts of coastlines, and people too.
For his new book The Perimeter, Quintin ventured across entire coastline of mainland Britain which covered 6800 miles and found what he called the "friendliest place I've ever been."
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Quintin Lake travelled the entire UK coastline
Credit: Quintin Lake
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He called Canvey Island the 'friendliest' place in the country
Credit: Alamy
Talking to Sun Travel about his coastal adventure, Quintin told us: "I thought Canvey Island in Essex was the friendliest place that I'd been.
"I wouldn't knock places like that either because it's really easy to get to from London."
The Essex island in the Thames Estuary near Southend-on-Sea that's separated from Essex by a network of creeks.
The island's main attraction is an abandoned oil refinery which has since been turned into a nature reserve.
It's now home to thousands of rare insects and plants, as well as nightingales, lizards and adders.
Almost surrounded by water, it's no surprise that Canvey Island has lots of coastal spots that are popular with tourists.
Concord Beach is a hotspot for crabbing, and there's even a tidal swimming pool.
Just along the coast is Thorney Bay Beach which in 2021 received a Blue Flag award.
The Canvey Seafront is a classic seaside resort, home to museums, cinemas, bingo halls, and a miniature railway.
For kids, there's also Fantasy Island attractions, with rides and rollercoasters.
Scotland's number one secret beach revealed
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Canvey Island can be very popular during the summer months
Credit: Alamy
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On the front is a huge 1930s cafe
Credit: Alamy
It's now the only theme park on Canvey Island after the closure of Leisure Island Fun Park.
One of the biggest buildings on the front is Labworth Cafe, dating back to the 1930s, has been renovated and remains a beachfront dining area.
To get to the island, visitors can get the train to Benfleet train station which takes 40 minutes from London Fenchurch Street, and then a bus from there, taking around 45 minutes.
It wasn't just Canvey Island that Quintin was charmed by, he even went so far as to say that Essex was the most "underrated" county in the UK.
He added that during his trip, he bumped into locals who were "really fun."
He said: "It makes me laugh because all the counties next to each other have a real rivalry.
"Everyone in Suffolk says Essex is horrible, and everyone in Suffolk says don't go to Essex.
"But I find it quite endearing that every single county reckons that theirs is the best."
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Quintin loved the rest of Essex too
Credit: Alamy
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Quintin compared Achmelvich Bay in Scotland to the Bahamas.
Credit: Quintin Lake
Photographer Quintin travelled through Wales, Scotland and England, finding incredible and sometimes hidden coastal spots.
All in all, he took 1,300 pictures and spent a lot of time wild camping.
Along the way he found some incredible spots like
Achmelvich Bay which he said looked like it belonged in the Bahamas.
There's white sands and bright blue seas - the only big difference will be the weather.
Quintin's book, The Perimeter is out now and available to buy here.
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