Bank Hol Mon - Benfleet to Southend via Hadleigh Castle + Pub

It's our annual bank holiday Benfleet to Southend walk, and we're meeting at the rear of Benfleet station 11am. We'll be leaving fairly promptly.

We'll do the lovely green walk overlooking the marinas from Benfleet to Leigh-on-Sea (as opposed to the frequently walked marshes), stopping to have a look at Hadleigh Castle on the way, with a cuppa at the lovely café too.

We'll stop again around the cockle sheds at the quaint old-Leigh for whatever refreshments people fancy, then take the costal path on through Chalkwell and Westcliff-on-Sea to Southend. The picturesque little seaside bit at Leigh is your best bet for a Mayflower fish & chips lunch if required (it has historically been an absolute must for some members, lol).

On reaching Southend, we'll stop for some more refreshments of choice at the outdoor café on the lake in Southchurch Park, and then head for Southend front and the pub.

You can tailor your drinks, snacks, treats and meals to your preferences with the various venues we'll stop at. You may even be bringing your own bits along.

We'll be heading home, or back to cars at Benfleet, from Southend station. The stated end time is by no means set in stone.

If you are late, the best option I can think of is to go on to Leigh station and pick us up at The Mayflower Fish & Chip Shop, 5/6 High St, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EN, which will mean a wait, but Leigh is a nice place to look around. I suggest being there at at around 2pm.

In the past, several members have asked to join the walk en route, which became too difficult to manage. I would make the same suggestion re the fish and chip shop, should you wish to join later. In either case, the time is an approximation and it will be up to you to come and find us.

If you are driving, the station car park at Benfleet is free on Bank Holiday Monday. This is the one in School Lane. It took us about 40 minutes from Chadwell Heath the last time we went by car.

If you're coming by train, its the C2C Fenchurch St line through West Ham, Barking & Upminster. Remember that TFL run a little London Overground hop from Romford to Upminster, or a 248 bus will do the same job.

There are other stations on the C2C network that may be of interest to some:
http://www.projectmapping.co.uk/Reviews/Resources/c2c-route-map-may.pdf

Fares on C2C are very reasonable. Best thing to do is buy a cheap day return to Southend, even though you'll be getting off at Benfleet on the outward journey.

I ask for a nominal contribution of £2 to help cover Meetup organiser fees. I structure this so that nobody pays more that once a calendar month. No shrapnel please.

RISK WARNING/DISCLAIMER: Please remember that as with any physical activity, there can be dangers associated with hiking/walking, especially around waterways, forests, farms and countryside. Your decision to voluntarily participate in this activity is an informed decision. and by attending this event you agree and accept to take sole responsibility for your own actions, your own safety, and your own belongings.

Please dress appropriately, including sturdy shoes. Please bring any necessary medication with you. You will need to be sufficiently fit to walk several miles at a moderate pace. We may occasionally cross or walk short distances on roads; country and woodland tracks can be muddy or slippery; animals may be encountered on occasion.

INSURANCE: If either yourself or any guests you bring along require insurance for this walk, then you must arrange this yourselves.

GUESTS: If you are bringing any guests along, there is no facility on the Meetup site to record their details. Please ensure that you make them fully aware of the Risk Warning/Disclaimer and Insurance statements.