Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, England, UK.
Old Photos of Clacton-on-Sea
Old photo of the Pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an extract from an old Photo of the Pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of the Pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of the beach and houses at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of the beach and houses at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of The Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of The Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of West Cliff, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of West Cliff, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sThe Pier and bathing huts in an old photo postcard of West Cliff, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of the busy beach and houses along the seafront at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of soldiers at the seaside, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of soldiers at the seaside, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sStalls in a closeup of an old photo postcard of the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sSeafront homes in a closeup of an old photo postcard of the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sPeople boating in a closeup of an old photo postcard of the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of the view looking East of the promenade at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of an old photo of the view looking East of the promenade at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup from people at the beach in an old photo of the view looking East of the promenade at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo of boats at the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of seafront properties in an old photo of boats at the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sCloseup of people sailing in an old photo of boats at the end of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in the 1890sOld photo postcard of the length of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Orphanage for little girls at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandOld photo postcard of children on the beach at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1903Old photo postcard of a boat at West Cliff, from the Jetty at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1905Vintage photo postcard of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1906Old photo postcard of Marine Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1907Old photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1907, taken from the pierOld photo postcard of West Sands at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1909Old photo postcard of the Japanese Pagoda, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandOld photo postcard of the Blind and Crippled Girls’ Holiday Home, Pansy, Flower Village, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the pier and sea at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1910Old photo postcard of the Palace Cinema at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1910Old photo postcard of the fairground at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1910Old photo postcard of the Yorkshire Pierrots at West Cliff, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Belle Paddle Steamer at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1914Old photo postcard of the South Cliff Sands at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in 1914Closeup of people arriving in an old photo postcard of the crowded railway station at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, probably in the WW1 eraCloseup of an old photo postcard of the crowded railway station at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, probably in the WW1 eraOld photo postcard of the crowded railway station at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, probably in the WW1 eraOld photo postcard of West Cliff, Clacton-on-Sea, with the view of the pierOld photo postcard of Station Road and Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1919Closeupf of an old photo postcard of Station Road and Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1919Closeup from an old photo postcard of Station Road and Pier Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1919Old photo postcard of a carriage and deckchairs at the seafront, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexCloseupf from an old photo postcard of a carriage and deckchairs at the seafront, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexCloseup of an old photo postcard of a carriage and deckchairs at the seafront, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of Beckwith’s Circulating Library, Clacton-on-Sea College, EssexOld photo postcard of the Grotto Terrace, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, from the end of the pierOld photo postcard of the Crush Lobby at the Band Pavilion in Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Sunken Bandstand, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld postcard of staff and children in a fire drill at John Groom’s Orphanage, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld cigarette card photo of Clacton-on-Sea, EssexCloseup of an old cigarette card photo of Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld cigarette card photo of the pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandOld photo postcard of King’s Parade, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandOld photo postcard of the Golf Links and Club House at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of Holland Road, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexCloseup of an old photo postcard of Holland Road, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexCloseup from an old photo postcard of Holland Road, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Sunken Bandstand at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandCloseup of an old photo postcard of the Sunken Bandstand at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandCloseup from an old photo postcard of the Sunken Bandstand at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandCloseup of properties in an old photo postcard of the Sunken Bandstand at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, EnglandOld photo postcard taken at the Beaumont Hall Hotel in Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1923Old photo postcard of the Bowling Green & Pavilion at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1923Old postcard of the Ballroom in Clacton-on-Sea’s Butlin’s Luxury Holiday CampVintage postcard of the Lounge Ballroom at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-SeaVintage postcard of the Jolly Roger at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Kent Dining Hall at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-HallOld picture postcard of the Waterwheel Ballroom at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp in Clacton-on-SeaOld picture postcard of the Ballroom at Butlin’s in Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of a Tug-of-war game at St Osyth Road School, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, in 1938Old photo postcard of the Lewellen’s Fire in Clacton-on-Sea, 4 June 1939Old photo postcard of the Putting Green and Dining Hall at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-SeaOld photo postcard of the table tennis room at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Chalets and Bathing Pool at Butlin’s Luxury Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-SeaOld photo postcard of the Sunshine Chalets at Butlin’s Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-SeaOld Photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea from the air, including the Town Hall and Railway StationCloseup of an old photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea from the airCloseup of an extract from an old photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea from the airCloseup from an old photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea from the airCloseup of an old photo postcard showing Clacton-on-Sea from the airOld photo postcard of Oulton Hall Hotel, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, published in 1954Old photo postcard of the Yatch Pond in Clacton-Sea, circa 1947Old photo postcard of the West Beach and Cliffs at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, circa 1949Old photo postcard at the Boating Lakes and car park, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Clacton Brotherhood Hall and Institute, EssexOld photo postcard of the outdoor swimming pool at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Clacton-on-Sea Butlin’s Holiday Camp, circa 1950Old photo postcard of the Gymnasium at the Butlin’s Holiday Camp, Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the Shakespeare Hotel at Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1959Old photo postcard of the entrance to the Pier at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, 1963Old photo postcode of the fountain and swimming pool at Clacton-on-Sea Butlin’s Holiday CampOld photo postcard of the Martello Tower at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage photo postcard of the Greensward and West Beach at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage photo postcard of the East Beach and Promenade at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the beach, pier and rollercoaster at Clacton-on-SeaVintage photo postcard of the approach to the Blue Lagoon fairground at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexOld photo postcard of the beach, pier and rollercoaster at Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1968Vintage photo postcard of morris dancers at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage photo postcard of the Butlin’s Holiday Camp swimming pool in Clacton-on-Sea, where campers prepare for the Swimming GalaVintage photo postcard of Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1968Old photo postcard of the beach, pier and rollercoaster at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage photo postcard of a dolphin show at Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1977Old photo postcard with an aerial view of the huge Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage photo postcard of the fountain and Crazy Horse Saloon at Clacton-on-Sea Butlins Holiday Camp, EssexVintage photo postcard inside the Butlins Holiday Camp at Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage postcard of campers practising for the Swimming Gala at the Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-on-Sea, EssexVintage postcard of the Butlins swimming pools at Clacton-on-Sea, circa 1982Vintage postcard of shops and amusement arcade at Clacton-on-Sea, probably in the 1980s
Masonic Ceremony (1910-1919)
Freemasons in their full regalia lead a procession of clergy and choirboys. Then the foundation stone of St James’s Church is laid with Masonic rights.
Masonic Ceremony (1910-1919): British Pathé (YouTube)
Clacton Beach in the 1920s
Although this 1920s footage is silent and black and white, it’s clear enough to see some lovely details.
It’s a cold day. Everyone’s wearing good thick coats and hats, smart suits, and many wrapping up further with scarves. Yet the beach is very busy with both adults and children sitting on the sand, playing ball games, digging, or just strolling along.
The paddling boats at the end are very popular too.
Clacton Beach (1920-1929): British Pathé (YouTube)
Fancy Dress Boat Battle 1922
There’s hardly an inch to move in the crowds watching this curious event.
Brightening Our Regattas (1922): British Pathé (YouTube)
Clacton in 1926
The silent footage is in black and white. As revellers act out ‘The Pirates of the Southern Seas’ in bootpolish and grass skirts in the water, crowds of people watch. After a minute or so, the film goes off to Lowestoft, to find “the prettiest ankles”.
Happy Holiday-Time By The Sea (1926): British Pathé (YouTube)
Come to Essex 1931
Sir Percy John Pybus, 1st Baronet, CBE (25 January 1880 – 23 October 1935) was Mr P J Bybus, the MP for Clacton, in 1931.
He led the publicity campaign to encourage holidaymakers from the Continent to visit Essex holiday resorts.
Of course this involves fancy dress, though for some reason the float is a car pulled by teenage girls in swimsuits.
The umbrellas show it was raining during the speeches.
Come To Britain (1931): British Pathé (YouTube)
Carnival 1935
This 1935 footage is rather curious, because everything seems quite muted. The people on the floats look cold, and the spectators seem to stand quietly. But it’s amusing to see how the early floats looked.
Clacton Carnival News In A Nutshell (1935): British Pathé (YouTube)
Litter Signs 1937
A film showing three unusual anti-litter signs in the Clacton area in 1937.
Three well made signs warning against litter are shown:
‘Who throws his rubbish on the sand and letter shed on every hand may his back axle let him down a good ten miles from any town.’
‘Who breaks off boughs and lets them lie beside the trees to fade and die may earwigs creep into his ear and caterpillars spoil his beer.’
‘Who picnics by the sad sea waves and all the front with litter paves may indigestion rack his chest and ants invade his pants and vest.’
Warning Sign Posts Aka Warning Signposts (1937): British Pathé (YouTube)
Baby Show 1937
“Ideal fathers discovered at Clacton” announces the title card.
It’s described as a “monster Baby Show” because of the large number of women turning out with their babies for the competition.
But the audience split their sides with laughter as several dads show their baby bathing skills. Not with real babies, mind you, because that would clearly be ridiculous!
Baby show at Clacton (1937): British Pathé (YouTube)
Nazi bomber crashes at Clacton (1940)
Just two years after the silliness of the baby show, Britain was at war.
And in 1940, Clacton-on-Sea became the first place in the country to suffer extensive damage at the hands of an enemy plane.
One of the Lufftwaffe’s Heinkel planes was damaged by British air defences off the Essex coast during its attempt to plant mines in the sea.
The pilot flew to the nearest land looking for a place to land.
But after half an hour it crashed into a housing estate, with the explosives and fires causing serious damage to two residential streets.
Two residents died, as did four of the aircraft crew. In addition, 160 people were injured, some of them seriously.
Nazi Plane Crashes In Essex (1940) – British Pathé on YouTube
Nazi bomber crashes at Clacton (1940): British Pathé (YouTube)
Funny Cat Video 1952
Tim the cat lived in a Clacton boarding house.
It’s not clear why the newsreel thought he was news, but just goes to show funny cat videos aren’t a new thing.
Cat And Bottle (1952): British Pathé (YouTube)
Eye Contest 1958
If you think this starts off badly, watch what happens halfway through.
Beautiful Eyes (1958): British Pathé (YouTube)
Whitsun Clashes 1964
1964 saw the hottest Whitsun weekend for several years. Crowds turned out in force to enjoy the seaside.
But the threat of violence between mods & rockers meant the police were there too.
“It really has come to something when people can’t take a short holiday without the threat of long haired youngsters with knives indulging in an orgy of hooliganism!”
Whitsun Playtime Aka Mods & Rockers Clash At Margate (1964): British Pathé (YouTube)
Clacton Carnival 1967
At the Butlin’s holiday camp, everyone’s getting ready for the annual carnival. Stepping onto the floats are beauty queens in swimwear, along with adults and children wearing a wide array of fancy dress costumes. Lovely clear images of hundreds of people, including many spectators.
Clacton Carnival (1967): British Pathé (YouTube)
Clacton-on-Sea in 1976
First broadcast on 13th January 1977, this footage includes aerial shots of the seaside town. There are dozens of close ups of children, and we get to see inside the 70s rooms.
Essex – Clacton on Sea – 1976: ThamesTv (YouTube)
More Pictures of Old Clacton
Old Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, England, enjoyed through historic photos, vintage pictures & archive film. Browse history in these fascinating old images of a bygone era on my Pinterest Board.
