Billet Wharf House

My place is at the heart of Leigh-on-Sea Old Town, with its cockle boats, waterside pubs and restaurants, sea birds and beach. You’ll love my place because of the location, the views, and being at the cosy centre of a lively seaside village. My place is good for couples, solo adventurers, business travellers, and families (with kids). This is a first-floor flat on the water front in Leigh on Sea Old Town. It has its own entrance with digital lock, so you check in any time without having to pick up a key. The space available comprises: Main bedroom, with 5ft double bed. Second bedroom has twin beds, which could be placed side-by-side for a couple. The third bedroom is a little smaller with a single/double convertible bed, and has great estuary views. The lounge/living-/sitting room has a balcony fronting onto the estuary, to be shared with a very lively grape vine! The bath and shower room is separate from the WC. The kitchen has a gas hob, electric oven, microwave oven, kettle, toaster and a few basics such as tea, coffee, salt and pepper. Guests have exclusive use of the whole flat, except for the loft/attic which I use for storage (but only require access when the property is empty). Leigh is an old fishing village, mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086. It is still important for cockle fishing, and the cockle sheds where they are landed are a local landmark. One of the best-known cockle stalls, Osborne's, is almost next-door, and provides great snacks! A couple of minutes' walk along the High Street is the local fishermen's cooperative shop, if you fancy bringing home some fresh fish to cook. We've had our fair share of celebrity chefs filming outside the flat. I happened to have a bottle of Stein wine in the fridge which I shared with Rick Stein a few years ago, and earlier this year my next-door-neighbour showed Jamie Oliver how to cook local mussels. There are waterfront pubs to accommodate most tastes along the High Street, one or two restaurants, plus a wider choice on the Broadway, at the top of Leigh Hill. There is a small beach at the end of the High Street, about 3 minutes' walk from the flat. The flat itself has views over the tidal estuary which appeal to birdwatchers, and Two-Tree Island (a 20-minute walk along the front has some bird hides. For fun-loving junior guests, Southend sea front (3 miles or so) boasts Adventure Island, claiming to be the largest free-entry amusement park in the country. For the more sedate who like to promenade, Southend Pier likewise claims to be the longest pleasure pier in the world, at a mile and a quarter. For those interested in Plantagenet History, Constable's paintings and/or Olympic Cycling History, Hadleigh Castle is about 45 mins walk along the coast path. Leigh is about 45 mins by train from London Fenchurch St, and the flat is about a 5-minute walk past the cockle sheds from the station. There is a single garage under the flat, but it is quite narrow - the door is 2.1m wide (internally it is wider), so if you bring a larger vehicle your parking skills may be well tested! Alternatively there are a couple of public car parks within a minute's walk, charging around £8 per full day, or a cheaper one (up to £1 per day) about 8 minutes walk away.