Originally a small fishing village, Old Leigh, grew in status in both the 17th and 18th centuries for shipbuilding and trade and it was in 1855 the Old Town was split in half by the new railway meaning fisherman’s catches could be transported to the city quicker. Notable names have referenced the town. The Manor of Leigh was held by Thomas Boleyn, father of Anne Boleyn, and was passed to her sister, Mary, which the family held for nearly 200 years and Samuel Pepys mentions Leigh in his diary as his sister-in-law lived in the town.
Today, with its old-world charm as well as modern amenities, it will come as no surprise its popularity has been noted in “best place” polls and last year was voted the 11th happiest place in the country to live in Rightmove’s 2023 Happy at Home Index Survey.
At the heart of the town is The Leigh Society (now Leigh Conservation and Heritage) which was founded in 1972 and after restoring the Smithy in the Old Town to form the Heritage Centre, it has been open as a museum of Leigh ever since. As a registered charity (leighsociety.com) it provides an in depth look at the history of the area and also the Leigh Heritage Trail. Located at 13A High Street, entry is free but donations are much welcomed.
Those looking to move to the coastal spot, then budget may be at the top end of the scale but there’s every kind of property in the town with the area booming with new developments, too.
Families will find schooling in the area does not disappoint and there are high-performing state, grammar and private schools within the vicinity.
Leigh is well served by the local road network with access to the A13, A127 and M25 but it’s also around a 50-minute commute to the capital with trains to London Fenchurch Street.
It’s easy to see why Leigh features highly in the country’s top places to live, there’s the community vibe, the coastline and plenty of places to eat and shop…perhaps the following pages will tempt you to take a closer look at lovely Leigh!
The Peterboat in Leigh is a popular restaurant destination CREDIT The Peterboat. EAT AND DRINK
If Leigh is known for one thing, it must be for the countless number of places to eat and drink. Home to Michelin Guide listed Food Leigh-on-Sea (foodleighonsea.com) the guide notes ‘the creative, eye-catching dishes are full of flavour and focus on sustainability and wellbeing’ and was set up by chef John Lawson. Another favourite with locals and many visitors and also chosen as one of the top 100 Restaurants in the UK 2023 by Open Table, Mad Dogs and Englishmen (maddogsandenglishmentinteriors.co.uk) is a small family-run business which pulls out all the stops year-round to make each dining experience special
Sticking with cakes and a must try is Wilma’s Bakery (wilmasbakery.com) in Clement’s Parade. Creators WILLam and GemMA who certainly live up to their motto of ‘providing deliciousness to the local community’. Of course, you can’t visit Leigh without trying the fish and seafood and No 1 Cockleshed (no1cockleshed.co.uk), The Peterboat (thepeterboat.co.uk) and The Boatyard Restaurant (theboatyardrestaurant.co.uk) are certainly worth a visit.
Read On Sea opened in Leigh-on-Sea last Christmas CREDIT Manuel Scettri SHOPPING
Leigh screams independents, particularly along The Broadway, and as it celebrates a year of trading, Read on Sea (readonsea.co.uk) is a great place to pick up a gift, but it is much more than a bookshop. Manuel Scettri has ensured this is a space for everyone. There’s a cosy lounging space where you can have coffee or a glass of wine and even cake and certainly lives up to the ‘perfect fusion of relaxation and literary indulgence’ as Manuel describes.
Not just a great gift but good for the soul…every home should have a plant! Renowned for plants, Anna’s Plants (@annasplantsessex) has a range of house and garden plants and holds a weekend flower market. It’s a great place to pick up fruit and veg and yummy bakery items…you won’t leave empty handed!
Other Kids (otherkids.co.uk) stock a beautiful selection of shoes and accessories for babies and children. Sourced from sustainable brands parents can rest assured those growing feet will be in safe hands. A professional shoe fitting service, clothing, accessories and gifts available.
Vino Vero (vinovero.co.uk) is an award-winning shop focusing on organic and biodynamic wine hoping to open our eyes to more varieties and producers. It also hosts tasting events
Bell Wharf Beach, Leigh CREDIT Getty Images STAY
Stylish retreats can be found in the way of apartments and boutique B&B’s, which are dotted around Leigh, you can find something to suit on Airbnb. And with such a special waterside spot, those wanting the view of the estuary will most certainly want to experience a stay on a houseboat which is located on the picturesque Leigh Marina.
Further along the coastline provides more staycation choice. Seven, located within the Clifton Conservation Area, is a great spot for exploring the area and Hamiltons Boutique Hotel is an adult only hotel with royal connections and where the rooms have the combination of the Georgian character of but also modern, integrated technology. The Camelia is a multi-award-winning boutique hotel on Thorpe Bay’s seafront and sea views are part of its appeal.
And, one to watch for the future is the renovation of The Ship Hotel in Leigh’s New Road. East Anglia Pub Company is promising ‘high-quality accommodation for visitors’ with the former public house offering 15 rooms complete with restaurant and bar/lounge area. With around 40 jobs being created and new life given back to the historic site, work is expected to be completed in May.
The iconic footbridge in Leigh CREDIT Getty Images EXPLORING
As the coastline surrounds Leigh, Bell Wharf Beach is a lovely little spot close to the cockle sheds which welcome working fishing boats with their wares. While it gets busy in the summer months, now is a good time to visit, but wrap up warm as the winter wind may bite.
Two Tree Island Nature Reserve (essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/two-tree-island) sits alongside the River Thames and is easy to reach from Old Leigh. With more than 6km of different walking trails, it’s a great way of blowing away the cobwebs while witnessing the stunning local landscape. It’s a winter refuge for a huge variety of winter wildfowl and waders, making it perfect for birdwatching! Other green spaces are at Belfairs Wood, Park and Nature Reserve, along with Leigh Library Gardens just behind the Broadway shopping area. With views of the Thames Estuary, Belton Hills Nature Reserve is also a wildlife haven for locally and nationally rare plants and insects.
Leigh is also a hub for creatives with art galleries and studios dotted around the area. The annual Leigh Art Trail is a community-led event which showcases work of local contemporary artists and designers.
With its iconic curly-wurly bridge in sight, the best way to discover Leigh is on foot…happy exploring!