It first appeared on a map in 1880. From Point Clear, it is possible to see the now much expanded town of Brightlingsea. Further in the distance, visitors will be able to see Mersea Island. Although Point Clear is located on the coast, there is no boating tradition. There are many elderly bungalows and chalets, which can only be used as holiday homes, due to the risk of flooding during the winter months. A track before you reach Point Clear takes visitors down to the village of Lee-over-Sands. There is a pub housed in the Martello Tower and a small cafe in Point Clear.
Two Martello Towers, the first on the east coast, were built against a possible invasion by Napoleon in 1809. The southern one, level with the roundabout and bus stop, was used as a naturalist's holiday home, and later an amateur radio station and test site for Marconi's. It was pulled down in the 1960s and bungalows now stand on the site. The northern tower was used by the Navy in both world wars, and the minefield control and signals bunker added in 1940 can still be seen on top. For many years a tea shop was attached. It is now the East Essex Aviation Museum. In the Second World War the whole area was strongly fortified, and was a Royal Navy and Marines landing craft training base.
The present Orchards Caravan Park is a much expanded version of a smaller camp and houses touring caravans and mobile homes.
Until 1940, a line of beach huts ran right down to the tip of the Peninsula at St Osyth Stone – nowadays that area is open. but many new houses have been added on the road back towards St Osyth village.
