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Richmond Group

We are the Richmond Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking

Overview

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.

Saturday, 15 November 2025
Start time:
10:15 am
Estimated finish time:
4:00 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
12.9km / 8.0mi
Ascent:
N/A
Type:
linear

Features

  • Toilets available
  • Accessible by public transport
  • No car needed

Starting point

Grid reference:
TQ 77703 85923
Nearest postcode:
SS7 1BZ
what3words:
navy.drop.event
Start time:
10:15 am

MEET: Benfleet Station (Fenchurch Street 9:30, West Ham 9:39 or Jubilee Line from Waterloo change West Ham for 9:39 service to Benfleet - arrive 10:13) Buy a return ticket (from Boundary Zone 6) to Southend Central using C2C trains to Shoeburyness for a prompt start.

Finishing point

Grid reference:
TQ 88157 85520
Nearest postcode:
SS1 1AH
what3words:
rocket.fishery.mole
Estimated finish time:
4:00 pm

Southend Central Railway Station

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking