Leigh

Leigh is a distinct neighbourhood located along the northern Thames Estuary shoreline within Southend-on-Sea. The area centres around Leigh Broadway, a main thoroughfare lined with independent shops, traditional pubs, and local services. Its historic core, Old Leigh, sits directly on the water, characterised by its narrow streets and wooden fishermen's huts. This creates a functional separation from the more modern residential streets that spread inland.

The working creek remains active with fishing boats, and the smell of smoked fish often drifts from the traditional smokehouses. The area's maritime past is evident in the Leigh Heritage Centre and the annual Leigh Regatta. Mudflats are exposed at low tide, attracting wading birds, while the cockle sheds along the foreshore speak directly to its enduring shellfish industry.