Leigh-on-Sea & Hadleigh Castle Walk

This circular walk, based on Leigh-on-Sea railway station, includes a climb to see the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, a walk along Benfleet Downs and a return walk along Benfleet Creek alongside Hadleigh Marsh. From the top of the Castle and the Downs there are good views along the Thames and across to Canvey Island. There is a little road walking involved (far less if you ignore the side trips to the pubs). Please note that parts of this walk can be muddy or wet after heavy rain.

Use OS Explorer Map 175; alternatively, OS Landranger Map 178

The walk is based on Leigh-on-Sea railway station – grid reference TQ 831857 - on the London Fenchurch Street to Southend Central and Shoeburyness line. It is reached from Billericay by taking the 100 bus from Billericay railway station to Basildon bus station, from where you cross the road to Basildon railway station and then take the train to Leigh-on-Sea.

Going: Approximately half the route is on the flat but there are two sets of long, but gradual, ascents and descents (Moderate).

Distance: 7.2 miles (11.5 Km), plus a mile (1.6 Km) round-trip to visit the pubs in Leigh High Street.

Places of Interest: The ruins of the 13th & 14th century Hadleigh Castle and Hadleigh Country Park.

Pubs: The is a pub near the railway station in Benfleet - a distance of 4.7 miles (7.5 Km) from the start of the walk – and a number in Old Leigh-on-Sea High Street.