| Brightlingsea | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Brightlingsea and harbour | |
  Brightlingsea Location within Essex | |
| Population | 8,076 (2011 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | TM087168 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLCHESTER |
| Postcode district | CO7 |
| Dialling code | 01206 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
Brightlingsea (/ˈbraɪtlɪŋsi/) is a coastal town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England. It is situated between Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea, at the mouth of the River Colne, on Brightlingsea Creek. At the 2011 Census, it had a population of 8,076.[1] The town is an active though small port.[2]
Its traditional industries included fishery (with a renowned oyster fishery) and shipbuilding. With the decline of these industries, the town is largely a dormitory town for Colchester.
Brightlingsea is a limb of Sandwich, one of the Cinque Ports. The town retains an active ceremonial connection with the Cinque Ports, electing a Deputy from a guild of Freemen.
Brightlingsea was for many years twinned with French oyster fishery port Marennes, Charente-Maritime, but the relationship fell into disuse. In the mid-1990s, the port of Brightlingsea was used for the export of live animals for slaughter, leading to a protest campaign dubbed The Battle of Brightlingsea.[3]
- ^ a b "Key Figures for 2011 Census: Brightlingsea". Office for National Statistics (Neighbourhood Statistics). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- ^ "Home - Brightlingsea Harbour". www.brightlingseaharbour.org.
- ^ "The Battle of Brightlingsea". Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2008.