A pretty seaside town has been named Southend’s “smaller and trendier sister” by a travel brand after receiving rave reviews.
Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, has been named one of the best places to live in England by lifestyle brand Muddy Stilettos.
The town has been praised for its café culture, variety of restaurants, and range of attractions which pull visitors in from around the UK.
Furthermore, the town is considered a friendly place to live with good schools and train links to London.
Tourists have also commented on how visiting Leigh-on-Sea feels like a step back in time.
Leigh-on-Sea’s fame comes as Muddy Stilettos released its list of the top 250 places to live in the UK.
Leigh-on-Sea was voted the best place to live in Essex.
Muddy Stilettos said: “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.”
Alongside lifestyle brands, tourists have also praised the town.
Writing on Tripadvisor, one person wrote: “A massive step back in time to a simple age of fish and fishermen.
“Off the beaten track without a through road, cobbled streets and historic cottages combine with the gentle purr of the incoming fishing boats on the tide.
“The unmistakable smell of the estuary makes Old Leigh an inspiration to poets and artists.”
They added: “A place to ignore the hustle and bustle and escape to a bygone age. Don’t travel to the Essex coast without taking in a visit there.”
Another visitor said: “A lovely old fishing village, with working boats to see, and fish and seafood to buy and try.”
A third added: “This beautiful little place was always on my places to visit and we visited earlier today.
“The place is not very big but is packed full of interesting buildings and places to eat as well as a nice beach at the far end of the town.
“The train station is nearby and very handily placed for Leigh-on-Sea and there are boat trips available on the high street.”
