A ONCE popular seaside town in the UK is winning praise again for its sandy beaches and easy access to Europe.
The port town of Harwich is eclipsed by nearby rivals like Colchester, Felixstowe and Clacton-on-sea by holidaymakers looking for a beach getaway in the UK.
But this seaside town is slowly reclaiming its crown thanks to backing from a former Bond girl.
As reported by the Telegraph, actress Madeline Smith, who played Miss Caruso in Live and Let Die, is passionate about Essex's northernmost coastal town.
While the town may be steeped in history, it's the ferry port that's one of its most exciting features.
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Brits looking to head to the Netherlands will be excited to know about Harwich's ferry link to the Hook of Holland.
With a journey time of roughly seven hours many tourists opt for the sleeper service, so they can arrive in Holland early in the morning.
From the Dutch ferry port, Rotterdam is 40 minutes away by car, while a drive to Amsterdam takes just over an hour.
We've found return ferry tickets starting at £99 for a foot passenger.
For those holidaymakers who want to stay in Harwich, then head to Dovercourt Bay for a stroll along the promenade or a relax on the sandy beach.
By far the town's most prominent site is Harwich Redoubt fort, which houses a military museum and hosts battle reenactments in the summer months.
There's also Ha'Penny Pier, a Victorian wooden pier that now acts as a tourist information centre.
Other local attractions include Harwich Museum, several lighthouses (each displaying artwork), and Harwich lifeboat museum.
Meanwhile one seaside town in the UK is drawing in Americans after providing the backdrop for a Hollywood blockbuster earlier this year.
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The Kent town of Margate was recently featured on a number of 'cool' lists, including one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the UK by Time Out.
In November, Time Out named another forgotten seaside town in East Sussex as the best place for a day out or overnight trip in 2023.
