Seasoned traveller Helen documented her trip to the quaint Essex seaside town she described as the ‘cutest in the UK’ and it’s packed full of pubs, cafes and independent shops
The ‘cutest seaside town’ is less than an hour away from London (stock)(Image: chrisdorney via Getty Images)
If you’re hoping to make the most of the sunshine with a trip to the coast, one experienced traveller reckons she’s discovered the most “charming” seaside town in the UK. Helen, who founded travel guide Travel and Squeak with her partner Andy, shared her findings on TikTok, describing what she called the “perfect summer daytrip” – and it’s particularly appealing to those in London as it’s less than an hour away from the capital.
Helen explained she and Andy hopped on a c2c train bound for Leigh-on-Sea. “It’s a charming seaside town full of cafes, pubs, cobbled streets, cute boutiques and cockle sheds,” she revealed in a video.
The couple kicked off their visit with coffee at The Grove bistro, located just a short walk from the station. Once their dog, Plum, grew restless, Helen and Andy ventured into Old Leigh, a village celebrated for its 1,000-year fishing heritage and riverside pubs.
“We chilled by the beach for a little while and, while Plum couldn’t go on the sand, we were able to dangle our legs over the sea and watch the boats bobbing in the water while enjoying breathing in the fresh, salty air,” Helen said. “It’s moments like this that I would love to live by the sea.”
Helen also championed The Peterboat, a Leigh seafood restaurant boasting a “huge sun-soaked patio full of benches overlooking the sea”. Naturally, no seaside excursion would be complete without fish and chips – which is precisely what the pair chose.
“It was good,” Helen said as she tucked into a hearty portion. “Sometimes fish and scampi can leave you feeling quite greasy, but not here. The calamari was also delicious.”
The day was far from over, however, with an ice cream next on the agenda, followed by a visit to the Boatyard pub for a well-earned drink. “This is a proper holiday vibe with music and a fun atmosphere over the water,” Helen continued in her clip.
Before making their way back to the station, the couple picked up some fresh cockles and prawns from Osborne’s. “This cafe is in an 18th century stable that was originally used to house horses and carriages delivering ale to the local public house, The Crooked Billet,” Helen explained.
She wrapped up with a candid verdict: “The prawns were delicious and tasted so fresh, but the cockles were unfortunately very gritty so they hadn’t been cleaned properly.”
Writing in response, one TikTok user offered their own Leigh-on-Sea tip: “We always go to Ye Old Smack pub in Leigh-on-Sea. Lovely food, service, and atmosphere.”
A second declared: “Old Leigh is top tier, if you have dogs it’s the place to go to meet lots of well-behaved dogs.” A third revealed: “On Sundays they have a car boot sale in the car park of the station.”
While a fourth TikTok user remarked: “Been going there for years. Child memories of going after Sunday dinner for a cockle tea. Now I live nearby and still visit and my kids and grandkids go there.”
c2c has shared three top tips online when visiting Leigh-on-Sea. These are:
- There’s a huge tide in Leigh-on-Sea, make sure to check for high or mid tide if you’re planning a swim
- You can walk from Leigh-on-Sea to Southend on the beach or on the coastal path, it takes about 40 minutes
- Lots of fresh fish is caught in the morning and sold at fishmongers on the beach front, why not take some home for dinner!