COAST PROPERTY
A picturesque harbour, lively brunch scene and a clutch of galleries: no wonder Leigh-on-Sea in Essex is attracting new residents
Nestled at the mouth of the Thames estuary in Essex, the coastal town of Leigh-on-Sea has bags of seaside charm which attracts day trippers and commuters from London.
Mentioned as Legra in the Domesday book in 1086, Leigh-on-Sea’s geographical location to the east of the capital meant it flourished as a trading hub and naval base between the 14th and 18th centuries.
The village continued to prosper in the 19th century thanks to its thriving oyster and shrimp trade, evidence of which can still be seen in Old Leigh, which hugs the coast. Here you can stop for fresh cockles on a cobbled lane, while away an afternoon painting clapboard housing and wooden fishing boats bobbing on the water or peruse Leigh Heritage Centre, a former blacksmith’s cottage that depicts daily life in the 1900s.
While Old Leigh retains a traditional ambience, the town centre feels more modern. Perched upon a hill with coastal views, it’s a blend of contemporary flats, 1950s semis and Victorian terraces. The main thoroughfare, Broadway, is dotted with fashionable brunch spots and independent boutiques. It may only be three stops from Southend Central, but the travel hubs are poles apart: if Southend is a gaudy Tik Tok star, Leighon-Sea is its cultured sister.
Tranquil yet dynamic, Leigh-on-Sea’s blend of old and new encouraged local artist Helle Johansen-Baker to move to the town from Dorset in 2010 – and she’s never looked back. “The town has a village feel,” she says. “There are a lot of dog walkers here, and you always meet someone you know when you’re out walking your dog. It’s a close knit community. People are friendly and easy to chat to.”
It’s little surprise then, that in 2023 the women’s lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos voted Leigh-on-Sea as the best place to live in Essex, and the fifth best location in the UK.
WHERE TO BUY
Leigh-on-Sea has a good mix of housing stock to suit various budgets, and it is significantly cheaper than London despite its proximity to the capital. Commuters and ramblers might want to focus your search around Leigh-on-Sea station, which has Belton Hills Nature Reserve on its doorstep. Here you’ll find grand four- or fivebedroom detached and semi-detached houses with large windows and expansive gardens, as well as one- and two-bedroom flats.
Further inland, the leafy streets off London Road and Manchester Drive are
