The Artistry Of Leigh On Sea

Leigh on Sea, situated on the northern side of the Thames Estuary and a district of the more renowned Southend on Sea, is a place of inspiration, discovers Petra Hornsby

- Petra Hornsby

IF A TOWN is deemed desirable in any kind of survey commissioned by property experts, then it must have some credentials worth noting. Leigh on Sea was recently rated fourth in a list of the top 30 places to live by property experts Bricks and Mortar. Property is certainly at a premium in the town, as people search for quality coastal living without surrendering access to nearby London.

Probably the most significant thing about Leigh is that it has been a working fishing community for more than 1,000 years and in Old Leigh the fishing boats and old cockle sheds, along with the mud flats and creeks, are living evidence of continuity that both residents and visitors alike can appreciate in bucket-and-spade fulls.

The town is also famous for its annual folk festival, the largest free folk festival in the UK, as well as its regatta and the Leigh on Sea Maritime Festival. Summer is the time when Leigh on Sea also lifts the lid on the incredible artistic talent within its community, with an Art Trail that this year featured more than 80 artists in 50 venues. Photographers, painters, sculptors, ceramicists and visual artists helped the Leigh Art Trail Association celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2017 by opening their doors to both art devotees and the simply curious, taking part in 16 events over an eight-day period.