IT is now officially the summer and the weather is getting warmer, so now is the perfect time to pack a picnic and head to the beach.

Obviously we’ve got great beaches around Southend, but the county has so much more to offer – the Essex coast is 350 miles of golden beaches, remote inlets and shimmering mudflats just waiting to be discovered.

West Beach at Clacton is every inch a traditional sandy beach with a pier. It is perfect for families with young children, as it has gently shelving sand that runs down to the water’s edge. Nearby, is the Pavilion Fun Park and an excellent choice of bars, cafes and restaurants.

Walton enjoys some three miles of sandy beaches and the Naze itself, red sandstone cliffs formed in the Ice Age, is a fossil-hunters paradise. According to Trip Advisor, Walton’s beach ranks as excellent. With the pier and the pretty beach huts adding to the ambience.

Frinton is a very different proposition. The esplanade is bare, save for a fine, sandy beach and Victorian-style beach huts.

For those who like their coastal escapes to be a little more, whisper it, secret, then Wrabness is a must.

This sleepy village, west of Harwich, is a haven for artists, nature lovers and sailors.

It is an ideal destination for a romantic picnic with a loved one, or a tranquil place to take a stroll with the dog.

For more information about all the places mentioned here and many more, go to www.visitessex.com