20th century beach huts, Promenade at Frinton and Walton (EHER 81568)

Beach Huts along the promenade at Frinton and Walton. The promenade was originally laid out during the early 20th century as part of the sea defences. The beach huts form a distinctive feature along the length of the promenade which generally back on to the cliff, front the promenade or are supported on piles along the beach and accessed from the rear via the sea wall. The appearance of the beach huts is strictly controlled by local legislation, including the colour. They are of lightweight construction, typically timber built with weather-board elevations and pitched asphalt covered roofs.

Information from NRHE: The sea front and beach is out of sight of the Greensward and Esplanade and for the most part is reached via paths that wind down the graded cliff face to the promenade. The promenade was originally laid out during the early 20th century as part of the sea defences. The most distinctive built features are the single rows of beach huts built along the length of the promenade which generally back onto the cliff, front the promenade or are supported on piles along the beach and accessed from the rear via the sea wall. The beach huts are the most characteristic feature of the promenade and their appearance is strictly controlled by local legislation (Standard Beach Hut Specification: 1978) They are a lightweight construction and typically timber-built with weather-boarded elevations and pitched asphalt covered roofs. The painting of the beach huts in (approved) muted pastel shades is a feature that positively contributes to the seaside character of the promenade. The sea wall promenade comprises a significant modern concrete structure (post 1953) affording protection along with a groyne system to the coastline and the undermining of the cliffs. It was constructed over a long period and accordingly is in various stages of disrepair. The regularity, uniformity and density of timber groynes along the beach are a characteristic feature of Frinton’s seascape. <1>