Londoners invited to discover the Essex coast

Visit Essex has marked the start of its 2013 Discovery Coast campaign by sending some of its most familiar faces to the capital’s Gabriel’s Wharf to encourage Londoners to choose the 350 miles of Essex coastline for their days out and short breaks.

The ‘Tub Men’ pictured above, come from the Grand Theatre of Lemmings based in Colchester posing as Clavering born chef Jamie Oliver and Witham pop star Olly Murs.

Visit Essex Chairman George Kieffer commented; “You don’t have to be a celebrity to enjoy the many different aspects of the Essex Coast - from the working ports in Harwich to the seaside resorts in Clacton and Southend, the historic landmarks in Walton to the nature reserves on the saltmarsh at Great Wigborough, the walks along sea-walls and the sailing in coastal waters.”

He added; “The beauty and wildness of the Essex Coast are less than an hour away for many Londoners and an ideal spot for a weekend break, what better way to finish the day than by a dinner of local produce of oysters, cockles, lobsters and sole washed down by Mersea wine or beer before retiring for the night in one of our hotels or bed & breakfasts!”

Visit visitessex.com/discoverycoast or follow @VisitEssex on Twitter for more details on The Essex Discovery Coast as well as for special offers and promotions for visiting across the year.

Ten Facts about The Essex Discovery Coast

1. At 350 miles long, the Essex Discovery Coast is the longest of any English county

2. Eight beaches along the Discovery Coast have Blue Flag status

3. Mersea Island is the most easterly inhabited island in the UK, with an area of just seven square miles

4. Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.33 miles long and the only with a full sized train service. It is also and is widely regarded as one of the driest places in the country

5. Maldon is the home to the annual Maldon Mud Race and at nearby Northey Island, the Vikings defeated the Anglos Saxons at the Battle of Maldon

6. Historic Harwich boasts the Electric Palace, one of the oldest purpose built cinemas in the UK, and the home of Christopher Jones, the Master of the Mayflower

7. Osea Island is one of the few places in England where all five species of English owl can be seen

8. On Wallasea Island, the RSPB are working on creating the Wallasea Island Wild Coast project transforming this wetland as part of the largest conservation project in Europe

9. The Essex Discovery Coast is a real treat for foodies with Colchester Oysters, Leigh Cockles, Maldon Sea Salt and Mersea Mud beer all native to the county

10. St Peter on-the-Wall in Bradwell-on-Sea is one of the oldest Christian churches in England dating from the 7th Century