Short walk: 4 miles, difficulty: 1/10 (or with castle: 3/10). Long walk: 9 .8 miles, difficulty 4/10.
The short walk along the Essex shoreline was devised to visit Leigh Folk Festival, something of a regular feature for us now. The festival has shifted base this year, away from the waterfront, with stages now in the (spacious) Library Gardens, and nearby. Most events are free but expect some tin-rattling. Please contribute.
Long walk: Any grumpy cats 😾😾 who just want a proper walk, with no entertainment involved what-so-ever, can do the Benfleet Circular via Benfleet Down. Do it all or use the morning section for a more energetic approach to the festival. The walks start differently from Benfleet station, so don't tag on to the wrong group. We wouldn’t want you accidentally enjoying yourselves.
Trains There's a frequent service from Fenchurch Street Station. The station is not far from Tower Hill underground - follow the signs.
Get the 10:40 Shoeburyness train from Fenchurch Street. (Stratford 10:52, Barking 11:03, arriving Benfleet at 11:30)
Trains return from Leigh-on-Sea at xx:12, xx:30 and xx:42. Trains leave Benfleet 5 minutes later. If we have any night owls 🦉🦉, the last train is at 22:56 arriving Fenchurch St at 23:46. No hooting.
A return to Leigh-on-Sea (the further station) covers both options and costs the same as one to Benfleet. (n.b. The “-on -Sea" bit is important).
• Short walk directions: here. Most is through Hadleigh Castle Country Park. Along the way you have the option to turn left towards the castle ruins, a good place for a picnic. Note the railway station on your way into Leigh – that’s where you will be leaving from. Follow the directions further down to find Library Gardens.
• Circular walk directions: here. This shares the same picnic spot as the short walk (Hadleigh Castle) and visits Leigh-on-Sea for lunch. Old Leigh (the waterfront) has three pubs a café and several seafood bars with more places uphill. Bear in mind that Leigh will be busy today.
Barge Gladys makes an ideal ‘tea’ stop for the circular. It’s a pub on a boat with tables onshore. It serves simple meals, craft beers - and tea and coffee on request. Cash only.
The Hoy and Helmet in Benfleet High Street has received good reviews.
Directions to Leigh Library Gardens, Broadway West, SS9 2DA.
• From above Leigh station - head east on Belton Way East, then veer right along Marine Parade / Rectory Grove, then right into Broadway West. The gardens are on your right, opposite the Post Office.
• From the waterfront (far end) - go left over the rail bridge near the Sailing Club, head right along Leigh Hill then left up Church Hill (steps), climb to the Broadway, then turn left. The gardens are on your left, opposite the Post Office.
1 comment:
Fenchurch Street is not the easiest place to buy a ticket early morning. Ticket office closed and unfamiliar machines that don’t offer up reductions lightly. 5 alighted at Benfleet, 2 of whom opted for the long walk, 3 for the short. 2 stopped for a picnic at the castle. Weather was w=mostly_sunny_with_gentle_breeze beautifully so towards the end of the day.
There were some notable acts on at the festival - Eliza Carthy, Alasdair Roberts, London Bulgarian Choir that I saw. Sadly, I think the decision to move the Sunday away from the waterfront has sucked the event of a lot of its charm. The gardens felt overcrowded and restraining. It was nice to wander up and down the main street visiting the various stages - and pubs. ‘sigh’ Though there were still other venues to visit, such as the Fisherman’s Chapel and St Clements church. Another 2 people joined at the festival making us a tenuous n=7
Nice views of the estuary returning to the station down Belton Way
Post a Comment