Walk along the Thames Estuary Benfleet to Southend & Thorpe Bay via Leigh

[@LONDONIA2072]

Stunned. All those London years and I never thought to find what happens at the end of the Thames . . . Beautiful film. Must go there!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Kate - it's great out along the Estuary on both sides

[@davidfarrell7373]

A classic John Rogers film. Uplifting, nostalgic, poetic and just a hint of melancholy. Brilliant. 😊👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks David - I must admit it's already one of my favourite films

[@nrafter]

I grew up in Southend and this video beautifully captures the essence and magic of the Estuary. Great work John!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks - means a lot to get praise from a local

[@stevenspraggs4953]

mate that was brilliant we used to go to southend a lot i was gutted you never went to canvey island we used to go there on holiday when i was a nipper very very happy day's love the seafood prawns cockles etc glad you got your chips but i would have gone in neptunes nice food in there a joy to watch as usual mate please keep up these i look forward to the next one straight away all the best and keep up the fantastic work yo do with these steve

[@tomlee812]

Just found this one after subscribing to your channel. I was born in Leigh on Sea in 1955 and stayed around the area until work moved me away some 30 years later. My late father often used to take us on a 'Sunday Walk' along the Sea Wall from Leigh to Benfleet in the opposite direction that you took. Two Tree Island had a municipal dump on it and as kids in the 1960's we would go there and make a den in an old bomb crater covered in a tarpaulin we found. We were discovered one day and got kicked off. Of course, our parents never knew. As long as we were back by meal time. The original Crowstone is now in Priory Park in Southend as it was eroding away. The one you saw was the 1950 replacement. The Queen Victoria statue, was originally on Pier Hill at Southend, but in my youth it was moved in 1962 to where you saw it. It was said at the time that it was moved because she was pointing to the public toilets on Pier Hill....Re the Liberty ship you mentioned. This is the SS Richard Montgomery and her masts are still visible. There is talk of the them being removed as if they fell, they could set of the remaining explosives which would cause a tidal wave at Sheppey. As kids we rather hoped it would blow up as then the windows at school would be blown in at Westcliff and we'd get time off. Not quite sure we thought that one through. Anyway, I really enjoyed this one, thanks so much for posting.

[@jonathandriver3415]

Looks like a great walk, very temping. I like Old Leigh.

[@adrianw609]

Thank you so much for another great video brings back memories

[@suecondon1685]

My home turf, I'm from Leigh-on-Sea. This made me nostalgic, even though I still live here! 😂 That crowstone, psychologically to Southenders, also marks the point the Thames becomes the sea.

[@stevegee7593]

Thanks John for bring back more memories. From sitting out side a pub in Benfleet to watching my new beach ball blow away at Shoeburyness., and many more in between.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad to take you back there Steve - going to try and make it an annual trip for the family now

[@stevegee7593]

John Rogers it would have been a bit more difficult this week my Ex. And daughter live on Canvey and are snowed in.

[@MegaGary1960]

great video as always ive done a lot of this walk but never in one go, got to hand it to you john you must have a pair of sturdy ankles the cockle sheds are always busy even in winter, Essex folk and the Londoners who visit and sit outside in the winter are a hardy bunch thanks john

[@davidjohnmead]

Thanks for this walk John. I lived in Benfleet, Leigh, and Southend before moving to the States. Great to see the old sights again-Made that very walk many a Summer day as a kid.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Dave - it's a fantastic stretch of the estuary

[@smilevideobritain499]

well, this brought back some memories. I live in the midlands and used to run coach trips to Southend illuminations, spend most of the time in The Kursall and finnish off at the Hole in the Wall pub....hic.. 1960's.. I noticed boats rotting away in the marshes and that reminds me of an area on the River Clyde which has big and small boats rotting in the ''safe area'' now derelect. Place called Bowling right near to the entrance to the Clyde - Forth canal. It is wicked how right across our island we leave ''not wanted anymore'' workings to go to rot. Railway lines n stations, bridges, viaducts, isolated cottages, un wanted factories etc etc..very sad. On a brighter note, thanks for another lovely presentation.

[@diannereeks1150]

Oooh I’ve done this walk We did it in second lock down. Started at hadleigh castle which is ruins and walked along the front to Southend. Great walk

[@FourtyFourCab]

First John Rogers I've stumbled upon. Subbed

[@FootieFan2024]

My second favourite walk video,I watch it at least three times a week. Outside of London both Hastings and Southend on Sea are my favourite coastal towns. One day I hope to visit Leigh on Sea though.

[@john80c]

A great video John. Westcliffe/Southend reminds me of Filey/Scarborough where I holidayed for 60 years always once a year and sometimes 2/3 times. We went elsewhere but these were our favorites.

[@highoctanecars2149]

Thanks for another classic John. Walked this many times....always enjoyable! If you carry on the garrison and gunners park is interesting too, old battery and powder sheds. Converted barracks etc! Thanks again John! Regards Rob

[@JohnRogersWalks]

That sounds great Rob - many thanks, I might walk on the other side of the estuary next time

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb as usual interesting the numbers out enjoying the weather at London by the sea..

[@bridgetpatton9592]

Great memories as grew up in Shoeburyness. The fish and chips and of course ice cream at the Rossi restaurant by the stairs to the Cliffs Pavilion are the best in my opinion

[@JTTW1455]

That walk looked like a holiday. Not your typical London sights, what a nice change. Thanks for taking us along.

[@james9958]

Another great video John. Inspired by the video we stopped off at Neptunes and tried the fish & chips and it did not disappoint. Always enjoy a walk along Southend sea front, often with a trip along the pier too (which at the end offers a good vantage point to spot the sunken SS Montgomery).

[@rosswebster7500]

Absolutely gorgeous video John! It's a great change of pace from the usual London walks, and really conveys the mysterious allure of the sea. These Victorian era seaside towns are truly fantastic beasts, they bring back memories of walking in SoCal and Oregon beach towns I've frequented as well as a stop I took in Bray in Ireland.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Ross - they do indeed have a very particular allure and atmosphere which is quite unique. I think there's also something about the estuary - the entrance and exit of London. I'd love to explore the US west coast some time - Big Sur and all that

[@MeTheRob]

Lovely. I will enjoy watching this with my dinner later. Seriously snowed in here, so it is good to see that there is an outside world, and that there is s till such a thing as walkies.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I hope enjoy it Rob and escape the snow soon

[@peterbl]

Thanks for this John. 50 years ago, almost exactly, my school year-group did a sponsored walk from Basildon to Southend. Not been back on that route since (just train-trips to Southend etc to see bands in later adolescence) but your film jolted me with sights and sites that seemed so familiar. You realise how much is buried -- it's all still there somewhere.

[@stejaski2]

I know I’m late to the party on this one, but it brought lots of happy memories of trips to the Cliffs to see Sooty and Sweep when I was very young! Another wonderful video

[@Pierlover]

This was a real tonic! I know the area very well - in fact, my all two favourite Essex places ( and more or less favourite places on the planet) are around Haleigh Castle and St. Peters, Bradwell - something about those huge skies and the wonderful fresh air! Reminds me of when I lived in South Africa! And eating those chips overlooking the Estuary - that nearly had me on the first flight back to Southend - pity Easy Jet has stopped flying there from Berlin! Thanks once again, John! Can't we nominate you for a knighthood?

[@dianastevenson131]

This coast is still my favourite trip out of London - always so therapeutic. Thanks for the great video John!

[@bowlocks]

I lived in Leytonstone for most of my life, most of your videos bring back many memories John, i just got a new one my fishing boat is moored behind the Barge Gladys lol, now i live on Canvey Island

[@littleacornslandscapes2935]

Great video/walk. Thanks John, true art.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

many thanks indeed

[@vincentcourtney6708]

I love all your walks and watch them regularly, thank you. I have a passion for London and partly feed that passion through your films. But, I saw this film today. So poignant for me. It takes me back to my childhood. I was born in South Benfleet and as a child in the late 60's early 70's we would walk from Benfleet to Leigh, always ending with a plate of cockles. I must admit in those days it was a muddy track, with no signs and little indication to where you were going. You only knew your were in the right direction if Hadleigh Castle was on your left and the water was on your right. I've been fortunate enough to travel the world, now living mostly in Cyprus but I miss, to this day, most of which you capture in your videos. Once again, thank you for evoking so many happy memories. I look forward to many more.

[@gman3447]

Great job! John enjoyed watching, and your commentary along the way, Let's have some more, please!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Graham - the next video is a great walk along the River Chelmer

[@aja738]

Hi John, viewing your film from Portugal. I was born around the area of Southend and lived most of my life in and around the area, tThanks for reviving the memories

[@ericaprocopis5691]

I loved this one, thank you

[@nobbilc]

Once again,another fantastic video. You shld've done one of the snow ☺

[@jonasranson7677]

I bought Rachel Lichtenstein’s book Estuary after seeing this video John, and took it with me on a walk I did to Hadleigh Castle recently, sitting within its grounds over looking the Estuary below and reading chapters. Thankyou for bringing it to my attention. Thoroughly recommend the book.

[@jazzychris123]

Great walk John-"Spring" last week now winters back with a vengence!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Chris - I jinxed us with that prediction from just over a week ago - how wrong I was

[@joenperkins2138]

Amazing walk. Thanks

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Joen

[@voxley19]

Fantastic walk/video John. If you like estuary walking, then any section of the Saxon Shore Way between Gravesend and Faversham is for you!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks voxley - great suggestion, I'll add it to the list

[@JagBetty]

Good to have a change of air John...fantastic place.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Jag -hope the snow isn't too bad up there

[@Lisahenderson1981]

Fantastic work as always John. Some truly panoramic views. I can only hope that if you are Essex bound again, you check out the public bridle paths around North Benfleet and All Saints Orthodox Church, or the area of MOD territory in Great Wakering which is open to the public at weekends, and spans for miles of unspoiled views into Barling. Keep up the great work Sir.

[@ethanpoints8735]

Thank you for this. I spent 2 months in Benfleet and took a bike out on that path several times. Gorgeous!

[@mindthirsty9538]

spot on your timing is superb John

[@MrCamparisafari]

I can feel it ! ( from your vid ) there's a slight spring haze in the air , I'm living in Tenerife at the mo and will really miss the feeling of Feb into march in uk

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I clearly spoke to soon - the 'beast from the east' has buried us in snow, but it's merely a delay of Spring

[@wcronin7307]

Three years ago, on a visit to the UK, my old school friend took us here by train from London. We took a walk around town and then along the estuary. I had not been to the sea in ages and this was a really beautiful spot. Always enjoy your videos.

[@DjAja]

Done that journey from Barking to Benfleet (Canvey) many times as useful a joy to watch mate !

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Aja - it's a great journey

[@colinricgmailcom]

Your walking tours are inspiring, they almost make me want to cry!

[@paulr7496]

Been meaning to explore this part of the world for a while. Maybe do a surreptitious wildcamp. Your video has given me greater impetus to make that a reality this summer. Thanks for taking us along.

[@adolflenin4973]

You're welcome mate

[@andystutchbury2514]

Lovely film and walk with great photography.👍👍👍

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Andy

[@simonblake5563]

Very nice. Beautifully filmed. Fancinating walk

[@curiousdrone3015]

Love your videos, you walk loads of places I used to live

[@tonyk5798]

Only moved to Essex a few years ago, but know this walk very well. Have done plenty of runs past Barge Gladys and have made it to Southend a couple of times taking the same route. Great video!

[@chuckbradley1]

Ive never seen this part of the country. Very interesting. Definitely going to drive down there this summer. A wonderful little film. Thanks.

[@stevegasparutti8341]

Thanks for another great video. I live at over the otherside of the water at Gravesend. We can see across the estuary to Canvey and Southend from the end of our road.

[@stevec00ps]

Good to see a video of my own door step - kept looking out to see if I was in the video :) A great walk that is from Leigh to Shoebury - done it many times! You didn't walk the pier though?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Steve, yes I can’t remember why I didn’t go on the pier - I think I wanted to try and get to Shoebryness

[@benwherlock9869]

Amazing! "The master butcher of Leigh On Sea" went through my mind about 5 seconds before you mentioned it. 😂

[@kimharman4108]

Thank you John, this was wonderful to watch calmly, almost like walking it myself.! We are going to move to With in Sea soon and looking for the final tick to make us move from Kent over to there is bolstered by your film, thank you.

[@wildessex8615]

Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks- I really need to explore more of Essex

[@wildessex8615]

Gimme a shout if you fancy some company. Be a pleasure to tag along. I'm out on the trail most days. Steve.

[@tez6529]

John you are the tops !

[@lindachurchman9521]

Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed watching

[@RichardsAdventures]

That's one walk I've got to try 😊

[@brianfreeman8290]

Your editing is always remarkably good.

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

Two tree Island used to have two distinct trees in the middle until a grass fire destroyed one of them. A little farther along the Eastern Esplanade from where you stopped, there is the remains of a Mulberry Harbour which broke free from its tow on its way to D-Day. The liberty ship that is full of explosives is called the SS Montgomery.

[@daveconyard8946]

Thank you another Gem Dave

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Dave

[@mozdickson]

I never thought I'd hear of Carter & the Unstoppable Sex Machine on a walk to Southend. What next, a stroll to East Woolich and reminiscences of Gaye Bikers on Acid, or Poplar and Limehouse with Leyton Buzzards? Love your work John. Have ordered Rachel Lichtenstein's book through my library. Funny, googled it 3 days ago wanting a book on that area --- then watched this. The World Mind is working! Oh, and more NZ Cabbage Trees - surrounding Queen Vic!

[@briannewman6306]

John me son you are doing a great job. That said there are so many things I can teach you about my old London. Still, keep up the good work. Brian

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Cheers Brian

[@tonymullinger8409]

Loved it! (old Sarfen boy now living in NZ).

[@robertbarling5601]

Another lovely video john, it reminded me of my childhood bird watching at leigh on sea and also caravan holidays at chalkwell, or is it chalkwall?

[@derekpyne]

Hi John Just discovered this one. Another brilliant video from you . Last year done this walk but the other way round from Southend vie Leigh on sea but went over Hadleigh castle then down into Benfleet. Legs got seriously burnt especially as the sun was getting lower. But do like this walk. Thanks again John.👌👍

[@timballard27]

The little grey birds are Sanderling. Get loads of 'em at Leysdown.

[@carolinegray5297]

We have had a lot of snow in edinburgh and people panic buying bread and milk it’s now melted

[@jonberbank7961]

Sheer joy!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jon

[@outnumberedbysheep]

The estuary is beautiful. As are many Australian beaches. You can keep your amusement park and crap food.

[@bowlocks]

The Osbourne bros fish merchants in Leigh sent their cockle boat the Renown to Dunkirk and one of their family was killed there unfortunately, they still have a cockle boat named The Renown and one of my friends Jarrod is her skipper.

[@peterbuckley265]

YES JOHN, PERHAPS LEIGH ON THAMES ESTUARY WOULD BE EVEN MORE CORRECT. WHEN I WAS AT LEIGH ON SEA IN 2011 I FOUND A SMALL STORE WITH ONE CAR OF A 1949 SOUTHEND ON SEA PIER ELECTRIC TRAIN !!!!!.

[@sharonann3344]

That old lift still works

[@waynejacksonofficial]

Great walk....

[@elybum]

nice to see lea on sea, it's been a while since i've been there. thanks john.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

my pleasure Scott - it's a great place

[@simonr6553]

Lovely video. That part of Essex is really underrated, but for those interested in the Thames estuary or even those who had the impression of it being an ugly area (like myself until this year) it’s well worth a visit, even strangely derided Canvey Island. What date did you do this walk? The video is dated February 28 2018, the first day of an amazing three-day sequence (the Beast from the East) where it remained below freezing, so it couldn’t have been that date. I walked from Benfleet to Shoeburyness Saturday last week to complete my walk by the Thames from source to sea - I made it about 12 miles even if you take in Two Tree Island, so long but certainly manageable for seasoned walkers. The route is now really easy to find thanks to the establishment of the England Coast Path there. I walked up to the Crowstone, which is easily accessible in low tide (though you might be advised to do it only in walking boots or wellies during this time of year). There are numerous views as to where the Thames meets the sea, but I make it at the World War II Quick Fire Battery in Shoeburyness, because at that point both coasts go upwards or downwards instead of from west to east, and you’ll notice what looks like a long ridge on the other side that is the Isle of Sheppey, and to the left (east) of it you can barely see the mainland even on a clear day. So to properly get to the sea on the Kent side, you have to make a special journey to Sheerness and slightly beyond - frankly I’d advise ending it at Grain, but I imagine opinions differ on this!

[@Rockthecasbah3535]

Great Homage John to CaterUSM for Putting Leigh-On-Sea on the map for a master butcher.

[@chunkyleejones3831]

Blimey, what a refreshing cracking find you are on KZbin..... new sub with me John👍

[@carolinegray5297]

In the 70s people coped in the snow and when the the strike was on lights out in the evening people coped

[@alexthomson7465]

At 6 foot 6 and a hundred tons, the undisputed king of the slums. Nice to hear a classic get a mention.

[@tony199110]

Hi there, nice video! Been looking to catch some Chinese mitten crabs, any spotting around the estuary? Thanks!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Hi - I didn’t notice any. The River Lea around Hackney Marshes was full of them a couple of years ago but they seem to have gone

[@borderlands6606]

Whenever I think of those Thames estuary resorts, I can't help imagining the 66 tons of human waste per minute the Crossness pumping station dispatched into the river between the c19th and the 1950s. That's a lot of s**t. I wouldn't have fancied sea bathing. I'm amazed ship wreck survivors made it to the shore. Lovely walk nonetheless.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

good point - and what isn't pumped out is shipped to the dipper channels and 'dumped' I believe. There is also the erosion of the historic landfill at Tilbury. Yes not sure I'd take a dip either

[@wilko330]

Lived in Rainham in the 50s a 60s and used to hear the ships horns from the river on a foggy night and remember hearing my father say 'there go the s*!t boats'

[@davidbanner9001]

Thank you John. I'm very slowly going through your excellent videos. An yes I remember Carter the Unforgettable Sex Machine. I grew up in north London (Edmonton) and had many friends who moved out to Benfleet and the surrounding areas when I was young.

[@MeTheRob]

Does anyone know what the birds are at 9:07 ? Are they Dunlins ?

[@JezzyPrice]

I think they are Sanderlings

[@TimothyHalkowski]

beautiful.

[@barrymiller5282]

John, another great walk, but disappointed that you never mentioned the main things that Southend is famous its pier, and mulberry harbour.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

did I not mention the pier Barry? Thought I repeated Lichtenstein's story about Southend Pier being haunted. If not you're right that's a huge oversight

[@barrymiller5282]

John thanks for replying to my comments, I enjoy your walks especially in lockdown

[@richardsuperfine826]

If you haven't tried it yet, check out Leigh-on-Sea Brewing!

[@balkandepot]

Nice video and sound too. Thanks. By the way, could you please reveal that puzzle you said only you and someone else would understand. Thanks again.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thank you - I think that puzzle is the reference to a song from1989 called Sheriff Fatman that was a big hit and references Leigh-on-Sea in the lyrics

[@balkandepot]

John Rogers, thank you for kind reply.

[@balkandepot]

John Rogers, oh. Carter USM. Heard the song many times but that lyrics reference bit slipped. Still learning... Thank you again ☀️

[@carolinegray5297]

Nice music

[@russcottee]

Thank you - very much 'my manor'

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Such a great area Russ

[@zcam1969]

John Roger did you sing back up vocals on Beatle albums

[@wyvernmodelrailway]

An interesting fact about the statue of Queen Victoria, it was previously located at the bottom of the high street and pointed to the Gents toilets.

[@EdLeslie-h4w]

Whenever I see an old boat that's been left to rot. I always think what did do before it was left?

[@johnm3553]

Yes, there was a time when Two Tree Island did in fact only have 2 trees. Unable to offer a precise time line it would have been at least during the 1950s

[@hungbearlover]

I recall Carter USM

[@turnfordguitars]

Because the Thames is tidal, you could argue that the centre of london is by the sea! Start your argument here! Great video!

[@andrewmurray5542]

Apparenly the Thames is tidal all the way to Teddington, so quite a long way into London. By that reckoning, you could say that technically, the coastline reaches to Teddington as well.

[@RosieWood-g3i]

I grew up in vicarage road Leyton and now I live just opposite East beach in shoeburyness

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb Bracing...