Leigh-on-Sea Broadway and Old Leigh

Away from the train station and up Leigh Hill, Leigh-on-Sea is home to a thriving main street. The Broadway not only boasts a plethora of restaurants and cafes (from fine dining to fab chip shops), but it’s also home to an increasing amount of boutique stores and art galleries.

Once a busy fishing port, famed for its whitebait and shellfish, Leigh is an ideal spot for a day trip, or even for a waterfront wander along from neighbours Westcliff and Chalkwell.

Leigh Old Town

The east coast is littered with quaint seaside gems and Old Leigh is one of them. The High Street in Old Leigh runs parallel with the waterfront, housing pubs and boat stores side-by-side. The cobbled street has an old fishing village charm, coupled with the bustle of modern life. On any given Sunday the terraces of the local pubs will be overflowing with locals and visitors enjoying the sun, drinks and cockles. The Peterboat is a firm favourite as is the Olde Smack (which was a type of fishing boat, don’t you know!).

Leigh Art Trail

Art has long been a mainstay of the summer in Leigh, where each June sees the Leigh Art Trail take place across this sleepy country town. The 20 year old trail is a volunteer run, community engagement event, which aims to showcase the design and artwork of local contemporary artists and  designers.

Festivals in Leigh-on-Sea

Leigh folk like a festival or two. There’s the Leigh Folk Festival which takes place in June, with four days of music, dance, poetry and all things folky. There’s also a music festival, a heritage day, not forgetting the much loved Leigh Regatta with live music, community stalls, arts and crafts and children’s entertainment.

Getting there

Leigh-on-Sea station is a 10 mins walk from the Old Town and 15 minutes from the Broadway (which is uphill). To the east, Chalkwell station is a lovely 15 minute walk along the waterfront.