Naze Tower Walton-on-the-Naze
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Naze Tower Walton-on-the-Naze

4.6
·2k reviews·Walton-on-the-Naze, United Kingdom

An 18th-century tower with art galleries, a museum, and rooftop views, set against a fossil-rich coastline.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Low tide

Best for fossil hunting

CrowdMedium
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Naze Tower Walton-on-the-Naze

Naze Tower Walton-on-the-Naze

Best Time

Low tide

Best for fossil hunting

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An 18th-century tower with art galleries, a museum, and rooftop views, set against a fossil-rich coastline.

4.6
(2k reviews)

"A nicely restored piece of history with incredible artwork and great views from the top."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚗 Parking & Facilities

Pay and display parking available. Free for blue badge holders for 3 hours. Toilets and refreshments at the visitor centre. :parking :coffee

🚶‍♀️ Coastal Walks

Enjoy superb walks with dramatic cliffs and sweeping beaches. Great for dogs and families. :hiking_boot :dog

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Naze Tower Museum & Art Gallery

Naze Tower Museum & Art Gallery

Inside Naze Tower

Explore art on multiple floors and climb to the top for panoramic views.

Rooftop Viewing Platform

Rooftop Viewing Platform

Top of Naze Tower

Enjoy breathtaking coastal views and spot the port of Felixstowe.

Fossil Hunting on the Beach

Fossil Hunting on the Beach

Beach below Naze Tower

Search for ancient shark's teeth and other fascinating fossils.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience

Naze Tower is managed by the Heritage Fund and offers a museum and art gallery. Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, especially if you're seeking a peaceful experience on the beach. Check opening times as some local venues can be closed.

Beachcombing and Fossil Hunting

The beach near Naze Tower is renowned for shark's teeth and fossils. While the water might not be pristine, the sandy shores are perfect for exploration. Remember to check tide times for the best beachcombing opportunities.

Best Times

When
Low tide
Why
Best for fossil hunting
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful walks
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Walton On the Naze Chicken king was gruesome #gcse #geography #fyppp
@pilotyy
19K likes • 153.9K views

🚗 Parking & Facilities

Pay and display parking available. Free for blue badge holders for 3 hours. Toilets and refreshments at the visitor centre. :parking :coffee

🚶‍♀️ Coastal Walks

Enjoy superb walks with dramatic cliffs and sweeping beaches. Great for dogs and families. :hiking_boot :dog

@kiddoadventures
2K likes • 72.9K views
Naze Tower WW2 Beach Pillbox & Radar Tower #waltononthenaze #nazetowet #nazeradartower #ww2history #ww2defences #ww2pillbox #ww2beachpillbox #clifftoperosion #dronevideography #dronephotography #aerialphotography #djimini4provideo #djimini4pro #djiminidrone #djimini #dronevideo #djiglobal
yedisdroneshots
5 likes • 264 views

💎 Fossil Hunting

The beach is famous for shark's teeth! Bring a small bag to collect your treasures. :rock :magnifying_glass

☕ Cafe & Souvenirs

Charming coffee shop with treats and a gift shop for unique items. :ice_cream :gift

How many floors are there in The Naze Tower? What does it look like from the top? How do you get to the top? Why bother? Watch to find out… It’s the weekend, an opportunity to slow down, go somewhere different see new things breath deeply and enjoy the view. Oh, and also see some beautiful art and crafts in this historic building overlooking the North Sea. Open everyday until 2 November. Pret...
chrissierichardsart
11 likes • 281 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Parking & Facilities

Pay and display parking available. Free for blue badge holders for 3 hours. Toilets and refreshments at the visitor centre. :parking :coffee

🚶‍♀️ Coastal Walks

Enjoy superb walks with dramatic cliffs and sweeping beaches. Great for dogs and families. :hiking_boot :dog

💎 Fossil Hunting

The beach is famous for shark's teeth! Bring a small bag to collect your treasures. :rock :magnifying_glass

☕ Cafe & Souvenirs

Charming coffee shop with treats and a gift shop for unique items. :ice_cream :gift

What Travellers Say

4.6
(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Naze Tower is praised as a nicely restored historical site with impressive artwork and stunning rooftop views. Visitors enjoy the unique experience of climbing the tower and the opportunity for fossil hunting on the nearby beach. While some find the water quality on the beach not ideal, the overall blend of history, art, and natural beauty makes it a worthwhile visit for families and individuals alike.

"A nicely restored piece of history. A friend and I on a short break in the area were pleased to find the Tower open, so many venues in the area are shut. We climbed God floors, 111 steps. The artwork on each of the floors is incredible, and for sale if you finally piece you like.
Great views from the top of the Tower and the chance of a drink anx snack when you get down."

Sue Richards

"I visited this huge open space with a historical tower near a beach. The Naze Tower is managed by Heritage Fund. It has a big car park (blue badge holders can park free for 3 hours). You can get food, souvenir and free toilet facilities in the visiting centre. There are two ice-cream shops where you can get ice-cream, hot drinks and other snacks. Visiting the tower and the museum/art gallery on top of 8th floor would cost £4.50 per adult and £3.50 for child (under 4 goes free). The beach is further down from the visiting centre and you have use stairs to get down there. The beach is very famous for shark's fossils and I found lots of visitors are looking for one. Though the water of this sandy beach is not clean, I found some people were swimming there. We later enjoyed our picnic in the open space nearby the visiting centre. I must say that we enjoyed our day out at Naze Tower."

Sayed Mohammad Ahmed Sharif

"Known as a place where you can find shark teeth. great for children, the tower museum can be visited. Very beautiful at low tide. For those with binoculars, you can see the port of Felixstowe"

Ana N

What People Like

Historical tower and art
Great rooftop views
Fossil hunting opportunities

What People Dislike

Beach water quality

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Naze Tower is located in Walton-on-the-Naze. There is a large pay and display car park adjacent to the visitor centre. For those arriving by public transport, the nearest train station is Walton-on-the-Naze, from which you can take a bus or a taxi to the tower.

Yes, there is a large car park available. It is a pay and display system, but blue badge holders can park for free for up to 3 hours. Reddit

Yes, Naze Tower and its surrounding areas are very dog-friendly. It's a great spot for walks with your four-legged friends. Reddit

Yes, free toilet facilities are available in the visitor centre. Reddit

Opening times can vary, and it's advisable to check the official Naze Tower website or contact them directly before your visit, as some local venues may have limited hours. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission to the tower, museum, and art gallery costs £4.50 per adult and £3.50 per child. Children under 4 go free. Reddit

It is generally not necessary to book tickets in advance, but it's always a good idea to check their website for any specific event ticketing or if you are visiting during peak season.

The tower has multiple floors, and climbing all 8 floors involves 111 steps. While the ground floor and visitor centre are accessible, the upper levels may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Reddit

Yes, the beach is accessible from the visitor centre, though you will need to use stairs to get down to it. The tower entry fee is separate from accessing the surrounding grounds and beach. Reddit

The admission fee grants you access to explore the historical tower, the museum exhibits, and the art gallery spread across its floors, as well as the rooftop viewing platform. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can climb the tower to see art galleries and enjoy rooftop views, hunt for fossils on the beach, take scenic coastal walks, and visit the adjacent Essex Wildlife Trust centre. Reddit

Absolutely! Families love Naze Tower for its fossil hunting opportunities, the tower climb, and the open spaces for children to run around. It's a great day out for all ages. Reddit

The beach is particularly famous for shark's teeth, but you can also find other marine fossils. Visiting at low tide is recommended for the best chance of discovery. Reddit

Yes, the surrounding open land offers superb walks with excellent views of the sea and coast. The Essex Wildlife Trust centre also provides information on local trails. Reddit

From the top of the tower, especially with binoculars, you can see the port of Felixstowe. The panoramic views offer a great perspective of the coastline. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, there are two ice-cream shops offering ice-cream, hot drinks, and other snacks. You can also enjoy a picnic in the open space nearby. Reddit

The coffee shop offers excellent coffee and a tempting selection of treats. It's a warm and welcoming spot for a mid-walk pick-me-up. Reddit

Yes, picnicking is a popular activity in the open space near the visitor centre. It's a great way to enjoy the surroundings. Reddit

While Naze Tower offers snacks and refreshments, the town of Walton-on-the-Naze has various restaurants and cafes if you're looking for a more substantial meal.

The reviews mention a chance of a drink and snack when you get down, suggesting some refreshments are available, but specific details on alcoholic beverages are not widely publicized.

📸 📸 Photography

The rooftop viewing platform offers stunning panoramic coastal views. The tower itself is an impressive structure, and the beach with its fossils provides unique photographic subjects. Reddit

Early morning or late afternoon light can create beautiful dramatic shots of the tower and coastline. Low tide also offers interesting photographic possibilities on the beach. Reddit

Photography policies can vary within museums and galleries. It's best to check for any signage or ask staff on-site about restrictions on interior photography.

The dramatic cliffs, sweeping beaches, and expansive sea views make the area ideal for landscape photography. The surrounding open land also provides great vantage points. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the coastal landscapes and the tower's scale. A macro lens can be useful for photographing any small fossils you find. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Naze Tower is a fantastic destination for families. The fossil hunting on the beach is a huge hit with children, offering an exciting treasure hunt experience. Climbing the 8 floors of the tower provides a sense of adventure, with art galleries to explore along the way. The open spaces surrounding the tower are perfect for kids to run and play freely, and the nearby visitor centre offers refreshments and toilet facilities. Reddit

Consider visiting during low tide for the best fossil-finding opportunities. The coffee shop provides a welcome break with treats, and the gift shop offers unique souvenirs. It's a place where children can learn, explore, and have fun in a beautiful coastal setting. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Nature Lovers & Walkers

The Naze peninsula offers superb coastal walks with dramatic cliffs and sweeping beaches, making it ideal for nature lovers. The expansive landscape provides breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline, perfect for a refreshing stroll. The area is also a haven for wildlife, with the adjacent Essex Wildlife Trust centre offering insights into the local ecosystem. Reddit

Whether you're looking for a gentle walk or a more invigorating hike, there are paths to suit all levels. The fresh sea air and stunning vistas make it a truly rejuvenating experience. It's also a great spot for dog walking, allowing your pets to explore the open spaces and beaches. Reddit

🎨 Art Enthusiasts

Naze Tower houses an art gallery spread across its multiple floors, showcasing a diverse range of artwork. Visitors can enjoy viewing these pieces as they ascend the tower, adding a cultural dimension to the climb. The art is often for sale, offering a unique opportunity to purchase a piece of local talent. Reddit

The tower itself, with its historical significance and unique structure, provides an interesting backdrop for the art. The combination of historical architecture and contemporary art creates a compelling experience for those who appreciate both. It's a chance to discover new artists and enjoy art in an unconventional setting. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Exploring the Naze Tower's History and Significance

The Naze Tower is an 18th-century, 8-story structure that stands as a significant historical landmark. Originally built as a folly, it has since been managed by the Heritage Fund, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to the public. Visitors can climb its 111 steps to discover art galleries on each floor, showcasing local and regional artists. The tower's prominent location offers a unique vantage point over the coastline.

Beyond its architectural interest, the Naze Tower is intrinsically linked to the natural history of the area. The surrounding cliffs and beach are renowned for their fossil deposits, particularly shark's teeth, making it a popular spot for amateur paleontologists and families alike. The Essex Wildlife Trust also has a centre nearby, highlighting the ecological importance of the Naze peninsula. This blend of human history and natural heritage makes Naze Tower a multifaceted destination.

Real visitors often express delight at the 'nicely restored piece of history' and the 'incredible' artwork found within. The chance to explore multiple floors and ascend to the rooftop viewing platform is consistently highlighted as a rewarding experience, offering both cultural enrichment and stunning natural vistas. Reddit

Fossil Hunting: A Treasure Hunt on the Beach

The beach at Naze Tower is a renowned hotspot for fossil hunters, particularly those seeking ancient shark's teeth. The geological makeup of the cliffs and foreshore means that erosion constantly reveals these prehistoric treasures. Visitors often describe the thrill of finding these remnants of a bygone era, with many successfully unearthing specimens. It's a fantastic activity for children and adults alike, turning a beach visit into an exciting archaeological adventure.

To maximize your chances of finding fossils, it's best to visit during low tide. This exposes more of the beach and the areas where fossils are likely to be found. Look for darker, often rounded fragments amongst the pebbles and sand. While the water quality might not be ideal for swimming, the beach's rich fossil content makes it a compelling destination for exploration. Many visitors enjoy bringing small bags to collect their finds, creating a unique souvenir of their trip. Reddit

Tips from visitors often include bringing a small trowel or even just using your hands to sift through the sand and pebbles. The excitement of discovery is a major draw, and the relatively accessible nature of the beach makes it a family-friendly pursuit. It's a chance to connect with the deep history of the Earth right at your feet. Reddit

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