What’s your favourite beach walk? Last weekend we jumped in the car, Salt-Water sandals in hand, to find the nearest bit of seaside within an hour’s drive and soak up the sun and salty fresh air… 

A quick google pointed us in the direction of Canvey Island, a reclaimed island in Essex. An easy drive for us as we’re east London. It wasn’t somewhere we’d been before, but cute seaside pictures and a little seafront funfair sold us. Between 1911-51, it was Britain’s fastest growing seaside resort, until a flood in 1953 hit the island, killing 58 island and calling for the evacuation of the 13,000 population. It has since been protected by two miles of concrete sea walls.

It’s a funny little place, you have to walk up and over the newly painted sea walls to get to the seafront. The first thing that struck me was how perfectly clean the little segmented areas of beach were. Sectioned by low brick walls, sand made up of crushed shells, lots of little rock pools and sandy muddy squelch with the tide out. Gus immediately set up on the sand with bucket, spade and green digger, I oohed over the gorgeous light while sucking up the warmth of the sun on my face and husband stretched out on his back keeping up with some cycling event. It was ridiculously calming and blissful. The hours passed seamlessly, the sun lowered, the golden hour hit and we got chips from the local fish n’ chips before bundling ourselves back in the car, homeward bound with that lovely tired feeling from having spent the day outside.

My favourite #beachwalk

Canvey Island is a great London escape if you only have a few hours, but I also wanted to mention my favourite UK beach walk which has to be Ostaig beach on the Isle of Skye. It’s true you know; the Carribean-esque sandy beaches up there, warm in the early morning sun is one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had. Add to that the odd otter, seal and dolphin spot and sea anemone rock-pools and castaway treasures washed up on the beach – my mother-in-law once found a message in a bottle which had travelled all the way from Canada, the sender who is now a life-long correspondent, true story!

The competition…

So this is all in aid of raising awareness for Salt-Water’s collaboration and competition with the Marine Conservation Society (the UK’s leading charity for the protection of the our island’s seas, shores and wildlife.) They’re searching for the best UK beach walk and for every entry (tag #beachwalk) they will donate £1 to the Marine Conservation Society. Plus you could win yourself a pair Salt-Water sandals, perfect for beach side plowtering about. Enter here… Good luck and I look forward to seeing your entries!

Gus is wearing Surfer Browns (I did size up so they’re a little big on him but perfect for proper summertime!) and I’m wearing the classic women’s style in black (I also sized up as they advise, but tbh I think I could have just have easily gone with my regular size.

Wearing with M&S jeans, Eileen Fisher linen top and Urban Ourfitters cardi.

A big thank you to Salt-Water Sandals for inviting me to be an ambassador for this project and for our lovely sandals!