Clacton’s Seafront Gardens are a carpet of glorious colour throughout the summer and provide a backdrop for the miles of golden sandy beaches. There is an annual entertainment programme including the Clacton Carnival and the Clacton Air show. The fun-packed 19th century pier offers fairground rides and sea fishing and has been described as a fairground over the sea. The town centre offers a range of shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs and the Princes and West Cliff Theatres are both venues for spectacular shows, attracting a host of top showbiz names year on year.