A Guide to Visiting Leigh-on-Sea in Essex

Leigh-on-Sea is a very small seaside town in Essex, United Kingdom, which is a short drive from Canvey Island and Southend. When I was a child my parents would take my brothers and I to this seaside town for a fun day out to sit by the sea. My parents loved the feel of this unique small seaside town, so they would visit it regularly.

Leigh-on-Sea has been recorded in the Doomesday Book of 1086 according to Wikipedia's free encyclopedia website. Wikipedia states that the Doomesday Book had named Leigh-on-Sea as Legra in the past and it was known as the "one horse town". The seaside town has, also, been a fishing village for most of its many years and continues to attract families in summer season.

Leigh-on-Sea is about an hours drive away from London and at weekends many visitors arrive there for a day out to enjoy the sea air. The beautiful Leigh-on-Sea is small and unique with its cobbled old streets and cottages where many people enjoy the fish and chips.

Festivals in Leigh-on-Sea

Old Leigh enjoys many festivals throughout the year, which visitors enjoy attending.

There is the Old Folk Festival which takes place every year in June. It is a large free folk festival that attracts many visitors each year. It is an open event held at several venues in Leigh-on-Sea. There is lots going on during the two day festival in June, such as, music events, dance events and things for children. This is a great day out if you want to see Leigh-on-Sea.

The Leigh Art Trail is an annual art festival that shows and displays local and international artists' work. Artists get invited to display their art in the local area of Leigh-on-Sea in shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. This week long festival of art has been running for twenty years and is one of the country's major events. It shows the best in painting, sculpture, ceramics photography, printmaking and jewellery on display and visitors can purchase art whilst they are there.

The Old Leigh Regatta festival is held over the weekend in September every year. This is run by the Sea Scout Groups to raise funds for local scouting and they usually nominate charity. This is another festival that is very unique to Leigh-on-Sea. There are many activities going on all through the weekend, such as, sports fun like football on the mud, eating competitions and visitors with boats.

Old Leigh

Leigh-on-Sea grew bigger during the Middle Ages as an important shipping route to London. Thousands of people love visiting the famous cockle sheds. These usually stand alongside numerous pubs, cafes and shops in the old town. Whelks are especially famous eaten with vinegar. The seafood is delicious and this attracts more visitors to Old Leigh.

In Old Leigh there are a few old public houses, such as, the Peter Boat, a popular pub overlooking the estuary with beautiful views in the distance to look at whilst drinking a cold pint of beer. The Crooked Billet, the Smack and the Ship are more pubs that can be visited in Old Leigh. All of these pubs are very interesting and serve great beer and food.

There are, also, historic buildings that can be seen in the High Street, including the Old Smithy, which used to be two historic cottages in the late 18th century and it now contains a heritage centre. There are, also, many terraced houses and cottages dating back centuries in the Leigh Conservation Area that are near the railway line.

So, if you are visiting England during the summer season, then spend a day in Leigh-on-Sea.

Leigh-on-Sea
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.