This trip from Rayleigh to Southend was great very lovely weather and some great views particularly coming into southend as we headed into Rayleigh from there and Hadleigh where we walked through a lovely nature reserve before getting to leigh on sea...

Jimmy Dimi

We passed through some lovely farm paths out of town and forests as well. No issues crossing some of the busiest parts of the main road i=either as there wasnt too much traffic. Great views out of town to leigh on sea and it was lovely to get to the beach....

Michael Morgan

The route passes quiet woodlands, horse yards and pretty residential areas until it reaches the coast line....

Jenn Phillips

Overall this is a brilliant route but unfortunately we can't recommend due to a safety issue. The route passes quiet woodlands, horse yards and pretty residential areas until it reaches the coast line. The views from Leigh on Sea looking out to the sea are beautiful....

Jenn Phillips

This trip from Rayleigh to Southend was OK apart from the two lane a road we had to cross it was pretty busy so was a little difficult to travel across we managed it and headed into Rayleigh from there and Hadleigh where we walked through a lovely nature reserve before getting to leigh on sea...

Jimmy Dimi

We passed through some lovely farm paths out of town and forests as well....

Michael Morgan

I stopped around half way at the quanit St Margaret's Church and sat on a bench to rest....

Dan Barron

Safe, direct and probably a lot easier in dry conditions. Certainly easy to follow. A nice variety of paths and surroundings....

David Sanderson

This route is not exactly what we walked, as we followed the first part of the bridlepath through Benfleet Downs, but having moved onto the well surfaced country park track a little later, we decided that it offers a much easier route in wet conditions, though it does have one additional small hill. The path takes us past a housing estate and onto a surfaced track through the park into Benfleet, where more pavements take us to the path leading to Benfleet Downs country park. We did rejoin the country park track at the earliest possible opportunity, and it offers an easy and popular route until it turns uphill to visit Hadleigh Castle, Here we lose the surfaced track, and go straight on along the edge of several wet clay fields, to emerge just above Leigh-on-Sea station, which is reached by an easy pavement walk down the hill....

Hugh Hudson

Directs you to walk through the grounds of a private care home...

David Sanderson

Relaxing, safe and interest filled....

David Sanderson

A few notes on the GPX plot: firstly fitter walkers may want to use the shortcut with steps down to the Leigh High Road....

Hugh Hudson

Unfortunately I am going to have to fail it and submit an alternative because the route down into Vange does not work as drawn - the GPX suggests turning left onto Downs Grove but there is no route through to London Road that way - the route that works goes straight across (see BASLEI two)....

Hugh Hudson

The route to this point is a mix of wide gravel paths and narrow muddy paths, not suitable for wheels. Once the route gets to Pitsea it becomes much more urban and trickier to navigate, the stretch across the golf course in particular, GPS track helped me it here....

Alex Thornton

The official route does have some steps and steep oaths which can be easily avoided by making a slight diversion via Shorefield Rd...

Alex Thornton

Quite flat apart from the path down the cliff at Southend. Struck me as a safe-feeling walk for a single female to do. Lots to look at....

Hilary Walden

Lovely route along the sea front....

Dan Barron

The walk goes past the interesting Benfleet sailing club and the canvey Island golf club before taking the back alley almost all the way to the centre of Canvey....

Slow Ways Darren

A relatively accessible beautiful walking route between Leigh on Sea and Southend. I walked it in the reverse direction but I don't think that makes any difference. It is a lovely wide easy walk through the pedestrianised Southend and then along the sea front....

Slow Ways Darren

From Basildon station there is a short stretch of roadside walking before crossing a golf course. The path across the course is not well marked and easy to take a wrong turn. There is a viewpoint at Pitsea Mount and I took a short detour off path to the top to see a view across the estuary and the ruin of St Michael's church. A short suburban road ,across a patch of grass into a field beside the railway. From here the walk changes from suburban to open countryside. There is a slight rise in the path as it approaches Leigh-on-Sea and a short stretch by the road to the station....

Strider

It was high tide and the sea was close to the path, perhaps not a walk to do in stormy weather! Close to Southsea the path climbs stairs and steep slopes through park and gardens and along the cliff top with good views....

Strider

This route as currently shown involves (in my opinion) an unsafe crossing of the A127 - a very busy dual carriageway....

Snail44

At the end of the path, cross over Canvey Road bridge to Benfleet, turn right and cross over the railway line - there are steps- and from there it’s a straight path towards Leigh-on-Sea....

Saira

I really enjoyed this walk (and its one I’ve done many times.) It’s very flat and direct, with lovely sweeping views across the estuary. There are many places to stop for tea (lunch or snacks) on the way. If you’re a wheelchair user, as an alternative to going up to Westcliffe Parade through the gardens, you can keep on along the seafront/ Western Esplanade until you get to Southend Cliff Railway....

Saira