Leigh-on-Sea is a welcoming place with a bustling high street (Image: Getty)
Leigh-on-Sea is one of the happiest places to live in the UK and after meeting some of the locals, it’s clear the coastal town deserves the credit.
On a map, the town looks like it’s part of , but it’s a world away from one of the county’s best known seaside resorts.
A walk down Leigh-on-Sea’s main shopping street, Broadway, is enough to prove that point, with its unique character and distinct lack of large retail chains.
There’s a butcher’s, a baker’s, a florist’s, cafés and restaurants, which add up to a wealth of shops and independent businesses you’d be hard pressed to find in high streets in some British cities.
Watering holes and eateries recommended by locals included The Sand Bar, The Boatyard and Stop the World Cafe, where a large full English of bacon, sausages, poached eggs, mushrooms, beans and tomatoes costs a very reasonable £13.50.
There’s even a Wimpy, which for a child of the 1980s is a fond and flavourful trip down memory lane.
Linda and Leslie Catling say they ‘absolutely love’ Leigh (Image: w8media)
A highlight of the town, however, is the people, who were friendly, welcoming and proud of the place they call home.
Many of the locals I met during my visit said Leigh-on-Sea stood out for them because of its strong sense of community.
One couple, Linda and Leslie Catling, said they have lived in east London, Romford and Billericay, but Leigh is far and away one of the nicest places they have called home.
Leslie, 78, said Leigh is a socialble place while Linda, also 78, told me she absolutely loves the town.
Russell Campbell, 55, said he likes the whole feel of the place and hailed Leigh as a hotspot for creative types drawn to art and music venues in the town.
This includes The Greedy Breakfast, which serves up coffee and cake by day with cocktails and jazz drawing music fans at night.
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Russell Campbell says Leigh is a culture hotspot (Image: w8media)
Tom Darwood, who was visiting from Thorpe Bay, said Leigh is a good example of what every town in the country could be, with its welcoming population and appreciation of culture.
While the majority of people I met were full of praise for Leigh, one or two said the town centre’s roads can get congested sometimes.
That was clear when I visited, and probably needs sorting, but it wasn’t enough to spoil your enjoyment of the place. You just need to be prepared for a circuit or two of central Leigh to find somewhere to park.
, and is the highest placed coastal town on the list.
And in my view, Leigh thoroughly deserves to be on those lists. No doubt there are challenges facing the town, as there are towns and cities across the country, but it’s a spirited, welcoming place which is well worth a visit.