This walk gives you the option to do a long walk (1 & 2) or a short one. An earlier start than usual if you choose to do both walks, due to daylight restriction but giving time to visit Southend pier (longest 1.33 miles) and the Remembrance Art Installation of over 110,000 knitted and crocheted poppies, with the opportunity of fish and chips before returning home. Please bring appropriate clothing for the pier as the weather could be quite different away from the shore. Please bring a picnic and drinks.
Part (1) Benfleet to Leigh-on-Sea
The first part of the walk is moderate, up a steep hill and along the edge of the Benfleet Downs with some good views. We pass Hadleigh Country Park and Belton Hills before arriving at Leigh-on-Sea Station where we will meet up with the walkers who would like to do just the following shorter walk.
Part (2) Leigh-on-Sea to Southend Pier
The pace will depend on the group as we walk along King Charles III Coastal Path along the Thames estuary with interesting vistas. We may need to have a diversion which would have a steep hill at the start before rejoining the King’s Coastal Path. Additional costs: £2.10 Pier entrance fee; £4.10 return ticket for Pier train.