Leigh-on-Sea

Twice voted the Happiest Place to Live in Great Britain in Rightmove’s "Happy at Home Index" 2016 and 2018, the town boasts a vibrant shopping hub, bars, restaurants, heritage, and a variety of open spaces from parks to nature reserves.
Visitors flock to the old town in the summer to enjoy the long and balmy summer evenings with a pint and some seafood, watching the sun set over Canvey Island. The tide goes out for miles (hence the need for neighbouring Southend's record breaking pleasure pier.

By train

• Leigh-on-Sea railway station

From London Fenchurch Street (London's most hidden away terminus), take the c2c train to Leigh-on-Sea. It's about 45-50 minutes, so long as you take the direct train (via Basildon). Tilbury Loop trains take about 20 minutes more, and are best avoided.
Alternatively, pick up the c2c train from West Ham, which is on the Jubilee line, District Line and Docklands Light Rail, or from Barking or Upminster, both on the District Line.

By road

If you stay on the A13 travelling east from London, you'll arrive in Leigh. Alternatively, at the Saddlers Farm Interchange, follow the signs to Southend and turn off when you see signs to Leigh-on-Sea.

The old town is best enjoyed on foot. There are car parks at the station and off Belton Way. On quieter days, you can actually park next to the beach in the old town, but at popular times, you've no chance. The old town is not pedestrianised, so keep an eye open for slow moving cars as you stroll down the cobbled street.
The Broadway is a busy high street, with few parking restrictions. The 21, 21B and 26 bus run through town and may be a better option.
Buses run along the London Road. Google Maps has fully integrated public transport help in this area, but if you'd rather check routes and timetables, you'll need to look at the websites for each of the bus companies:
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/herts-and-essex/places/southend-on-sea/
https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/maps/Southend%2CRayleigh%2CCanvey%20CC%20Map.pdf

• St. Clements ChurchThe oldest part of the church is the circa 14th-century North Aisle which resembles the inverted hull of a ship and is thought to have been constructed by the old boat builders of medieval Leigh.

• Hadleigh CastleRuined 1200s castle, refortified by Edward III in the Hundred Years War, affording marsh views.

• Strand Wharf

  address: Strand Wharf, High St, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2EN
  Outdoor space for annual community events.

• Leigh-on-Sea Heritage TrailTake a step back into the past and tread in the footsteps of Elizabethan mariners, artists and open-air preachers.

• Prittle Brook GreenwayWalk or cycle the Greenway

• Bike Art Hadleigh Demo And Hire

  phone: +44 1702 551076
  address: Hadleigh Park, Hadleigh, SS7 2PP
  See the 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course that was designed to test the best athletes in the world. Over 18 km of trail to suit all abilities and ages. Strongly recommended to reserve your hire bike a minimum of 24 hours ahead to avoid disappointment.

• Essex Wildlife Trust Belfairs Woodland Centre

  address: Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 4LR
  The Woodland Centre provides a space for schools, groups and families to learn about south Essex’s fantastic ancient woodlands in an interactive way.

• Leigh Golf Range and Cafe

  address: Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2SN

Events

• Leigh Folk FestivalTaking place leading up to and including the last weekend of June, The Leigh Folk Festival is unchallenged as the UK’s largest free folk gathering taking place across more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues around the town. All daytime events on Saturday take place in and around the Library Gardens on Broadway West. All events on Sunday take place in and around the High Street of Old Leigh.

• Leigh Art Trail

  address: around Leigh
  Showcasing the work of local contemporary artists & designers between the second and third Saturdays in June.

• Leigh Regatta

  address: Strand Wharf
  Held on the second Sunday in September with sailing races, pig races, rowing races, a dinghy tug-o-war, art competitions, face-painting, shanty-singers, clog-dancers and pirates as well as Punch and Judy, barbecues and sweet stalls. Story-telling for children and a Seaside Stage complete with deck-chairs and real ale bar alongside a selection of craft stalls.

The Broadway in Leigh has many independent retailers. The Broadway is bounded by the triangle at Rectory Grove to the west, and Leigh Road to the east.

• Zinc

  phone: +44 1702 479140
  address: 59-61 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PE
  Men's clothes shop.

On the London Road

• Mad Dogs & Englishmen Interiors

  phone: +44 1702 714766
  address: 1349-1353 London Rd, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2AB
  Furniture and accessories.

The Old Town

• Simply Seafood

• Osbourne BrosA unique, family-run seafood café in Old Leigh.

• The Boatyard

  phone: +44 1702 475588
  address: 8/13 High St, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN
  Premier dining.

• The Mayflower Chip Shop - Resturant

  phone: +44 1702 478535
  address: 5 & 6 High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN
  Traditional English fish-and-chips.

The Old Town

• The Crooked BilletCampaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub popular with visitors looking for traditional British ales.

• The Peter BoatDockside pub with large beer garden.

• Ye Olde SmackLive bands and a pub quiz every Thursday.

• The Mayflower

  phone: +44 1702 478535
  address: 5 & 6 High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN
  Another Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub with its own in-house fish-and-chip shop.

Around the Broadway

• Ten Green Bottles

  phone: +44 1702 719502
  Small cafe/pub with live music in the evening.

• The Sarah MoorePub

Most visitors to Leigh are daytrippers from London or Essex. Anyone staying for a few nights would typically opt for nearby Southend. There are a handful of holiday homes and apartments in Leigh, but there aren't any hotels or B&Bs in Leigh-on-Sea itself.

• Billet Wharf House Holiday Home

  address: 37 High St, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN
  Holiday home.

• Estuary ViewHoliday home.

• Premier Inn Rayleigh

  phone: +44 871 527 8058
  address: Rayleigh Weir, Arterial Road (A127), Basildon SS6 7SP

• Leigh Library

  phone: +44 1702 475929
  address: Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2DA
  Free Wi-Fi.