Leigh-on-Sea
A tiny old fishing town of cockle sheds and estuary light, under an hour from Fenchurch Street. Old Leigh is all free to wander.
FREE
The lowdown
Old Leigh is a single cobbled lane of weatherboard cottages, cockle sheds and bobbing boats, free to wander end to end. The estuary light here is famous with painters, and at high tide the water comes right up to the pubs and shacks.
Walk it off east along the seawall towards Chalkwell and Southend, or just sit on the wall with cockles from a shed and watch the Thames estuary do its thing. It is one of the cheapest proper seaside days near London.
Getting there from London
Old Leigh, the waterfront and the beach are free. Only the cockles and a pint cost anything.
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