The short walk was devised to get to Leigh-on-Sea’s Folk Festival. There hasn’t been one for two years now, thanks to you-know-what. But there is a bit of a do this weekend. Not along the waterfront, but in the Library Gardens and not just folk, there’s other stuff. But they got a bar, they got street-food, and this Sunday, entry is free (expect some tin-rattling).
For those who could do without all this merriment, there is the longer Benfleet Circular via Leigh.
Trains.
Get the 10:29 Shoeburyness train from Fenchurch Street. (West Ham 10:38, Barking 10:43, arriving Benfleet at 11:14). Fenchurch Street Station is close to Tower Hill tube (follow signs) or 15 mins walk from Bank.
Returning from Leigh-on-Sea, trains are at xx:12, and xx:42. The last train is at 22:56. Trains leave Benfleet 5 minutes later.
A return to Leigh-on-Sea (the further station) offers more flexibility but Benfleet would do for the circular. Both stations are the same price. (It's Leigh-on-Sea, NOT Leigh).
Short walk: directions here. Mostly through Hadleigh Castle Country Park. Along the way you have the option to turn left in the direction of the castle (good views, good place for a picnic). Note the railway station on your way into Leigh – that’s where you will be leaving from.
Circular walk: directions here. A deeper delve into the Country Park and surrounds. It shares the same picnic spot as the short walk (Hadleigh Castle) and visits Leigh-on-Sea's waterfront for lunch (three pubs, a café and several seafood bars). Returning, there’s an option to explore Two Tree Island. Later on, Barge Gladys makes an admirable ‘tea’ stop. It’s a pub on a boat with more space ashore. Cash only.
Leigh Library Gardens, Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2DA. You’d do best to look at Google maps but your kindly walk poster has cobbled these directions together.
• From above Leigh-on-Sea 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.
Circular walk: directions here. A deeper delve into the Country Park and surrounds. It shares the same picnic spot as the short walk (Hadleigh Castle) and visits Leigh-on-Sea's waterfront for lunch (three pubs, a café and several seafood bars). Returning, there’s an option to explore Two Tree Island. Later on, Barge Gladys makes an admirable ‘tea’ stop. It’s a pub on a boat with more space ashore. Cash only.
Leigh Library Gardens, Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2DA. You’d do best to look at Google maps but your kindly walk poster has cobbled these directions together.
• From above Leigh-on-Sea 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:
Just n=3 on a W=hot-sunny day. We opted for the circular. By the time we got to the castle, we had split into three. I made it to Leigh’s waterfront all by myself. The Crooked Billet had run out of draught beer and the Peterboat had a faffy entry system but I managed to obtain an unimpeded pint of cider in Ye Olde Smack. Then it was up the hill to the Gathering. A well organised event with two stages, stalls, a craft ale bar, the works. But somehow it didn’t gel for yours truly. Not quite the same as the big festival. Sigh. So I didn’t stay long and completed the circular instead, patronising Barge Gladys on the way back to Benfleet. You're a nice boat you are, a lovely boat.
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