Wild things to do in Southend
Southend: cycle a sacred brook, swim mud creeks, watch flocks of geese.
PRITTLE BROOK
Cycle four miles between Priory Park to Belfairs Wood along off road path.
Find Belfairs Park, Eastwood Rd N, Eastwood, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4LR (51.555659, 0.642701). Or find Priory Park, Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6ND (51.552924, 0.703386). From Belfairs Park, walk south at the park road entrance next to the swings, down to the Prittle Brook 1/4 mile. At brook turn left/east towards Southend. From Priory Park, walk south the Prittle Brook short distance and turn right/west towards Belfairs.
51.551623, 0.703917 (Priory Park)
2 min
51.551015, 0.646419 (Belfairs Park)
10 mins
LEIGH CREEK
Swim against the creek 2 hrs after low tide. Forage for oysters while waiting for the tide to rise.
Find the Crowstone just off shore at low tide bottow of The Beachfront, Chalkwell Esplanade, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8JH (51.535890, 0.677540). Follow the stone path out 1/3 mile to Leigh Creek. Care needed not to cross the creek and get cut off by the tide.
51.531703, 0.675773
10 mins
HADLEIGH RAY, TWO TREE ISLAND
Paddle board or kayak from 24hr boat ramp to watch summer and winter waders and geese.
Find car park at the end of the Two Tree Island Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2GB (51.532875, 0.626125). Ramp provides 24 kayak, canoe and paddle board access to Hadleigh Ray.
51.530610, 0.625775
2 mins