A seasoned traveller has identified what she describes as the 'cutest seaside town' in the UK, ideal for a summer daytrip. Helen, founder of the travel guide Travel and Squeak alongside her partner Andy, shared her experience on TikTok, highlighting the charm of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. Located less than an hour from London by train, it offers a quintessential coastal escape.
Arrival and First Impressions
Helen and Andy boarded a c2c train bound for Leigh-on-Sea. Upon arrival, they visited The Grove bistro for coffee, just a short walk from the station. The town, she noted, is 'full of cafes, pubs, cobbled streets, cute boutiques and cockle sheds'.
Exploring Old Leigh
After their coffee, the couple ventured into Old Leigh, a historic fishing village with a 1,000-year heritage. They spent time by the beach, where they could dangle their legs over the sea and watch boats bobbing in the water. 'It's moments like this that I would love to live by the sea,' Helen remarked.
Seafood Delights
Lunch was at The Peterboat, a seafood restaurant with a sun-soaked patio overlooking the sea. The couple enjoyed fish and chips, with Helen praising the freshness: 'It was good. Sometimes fish and scampi can leave you feeling greasy, but not here. The calamari was also delicious.'
Later, they indulged in ice cream and visited the Boatyard pub for drinks, which Helen described as having 'a proper holiday vibe'. Before heading home, they stopped at Osborne's, a cafe in an 18th-century stable, for fresh cockles and prawns. While the prawns were 'delicious and tasted so fresh,' the cockles were 'very gritty' and not properly cleaned.
Tips from Locals and c2c
TikTok users shared their own recommendations. One suggested Ye Old Smack pub for 'lovely food, service, and atmosphere.' Another noted that Old Leigh is ideal for dog owners, while a third mentioned a Sunday car boot sale at the station car park.
c2c offers three tips for visitors: check tide times for swimming, walk from Leigh-on-Sea to Southend (about 40 minutes), and buy fresh fish from beachfront fishmongers.
