The cosy Essex beach surrounded by cockle sheds and cobbled streets

As the weather is brightening up and we might finally get a taste of a proper summer, many of us will be on the hunt for beach days out. Here in Essex, we’re lucky to have a sprawling 350 miles of wonderful coastline, from the well-known areas to lesser known.

One stunning beach in our county is simply paradise, surrounded by cockle sheds and cobbled streets – it blends ye olde worlde with new perfectly. Tucked away in the Thames Estuary just off some cobbled streets and beside ancient cockle sheds, Bell Wharf Beach is hailed as Essex’s best-kept secret by lifestyle connoisseurs at Muddy Stilettos.

The beach, based in Leigh-on-Sea, is a quieter and smaller alternative to its bustling counterparts in neighbouring Southend, hence an ideal spot for a serene summer promenade. Old Leigh, a beloved destination that hosts this sandy retreat, is merely a ten-minute stroll from the local train station in Leigh.

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The area is flourishing with welcoming cafes, classic pubs, and an array of shops. It’s a peaceful site where visitors can also observe fishing boats returning home with their catch, set to grace the plates of nearby eateries later on. Osborne Bros, established within an old stable mews close to the original cockle sheds, is one such eatery.

This family-managed venture has a rich history dating back to the 1880s serving prepared-to-order seafood. Directly opposite to Osborne Bros stands the Crooked Billet, a snug pub rooted in the latter part of the 16th century. Other recommended spots proximate to the beach entail The Mayflower, The Peterboat, and Sara’s Tea Garden.

A few steps from Bell Wharf Beach lie the plains of Two Tree Island Nature Reserve. Come summer, the reserve presents itself as a natural habitat to myriad species like butterflies, voles and kestrels fluttering in the open sky. Motorists seeking parking space can use Victoria Wharf Car Park, which is a payable surface car park conveniently located adjacent to the beach.

The honour of being christened as the prime living place in Essex was awarded to Leigh-on-Sea courtesy of Muddy Stilettos. The publication asserted: “Industrial-style coffee houses, boutique bars and a sandy shoreline lined by characterful cockle sheds:”.

“Leigh-on-Sea is Southend’s smaller, trendier sister and thanks to a steady stream of relocating Londoners over the years, it’s managed to blend its small-town-seaside charm with on-trend hospitality offerings. (Yes, there’s even an artisan vegan-friendly gelato house and it doesn’t come much more ‘Shoreditch of Essex’ than that.)”.

it is important to note that despite BBQs being a popular thing in the summer months, a BBQ ban is in place across the beach – including all beaches in Southend. Dogs also are not allowed on the beach.

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