To the east and south, it faces the North Sea, with the estuary of the River Colne to the south-west.

[10] During the English Civil War, the self-appointed Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins carried out many trials throughout this and the surrounding area, especially in the town of Manningtree and village of Mistley on the River Stour.

[11] The council has been under no overall control since the 2023 election, being led by a coalition of independent councillors, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

The council has its main offices and meeting place at Clacton Town Hall on Station Road.

[21] The highest part of the district is a low (115 feet; 35 metres) ridge running west to east only 2 miles (3 km) south of the River Stour.

The greater part of the district is undulating land sloping very gently to the south which is traversed by a number of streams.

In the extreme east of the district is an area formerly known as the Soken which was granted special privileges in Saxon times.