Benfleet to Hadleigh Farm

[1] From Benfleet station turn right out of the main entrance and cross the road at a safe point. Take the first left up Station Road. Before you reach the turning for St Mary's Road you will see a pathway with a wooden gate on the right hand side of the road. Follow this path and go through the gate.

(A) Benfleet is an historic settlement dating back to Roman times. It was also used as a base by the Vikings until the Battle of Benfleet in 894, where the Saxon army of King Alfred defeated the Vikings. A monument to this event can be viewed not far from the station.

[2] Once inside the gate continue straight along the gravel path in front of you stopping to admire the views towards Canvey Island (B). After 5 minutes the path splits in two, take the grassy path on the left and continue straight ahead through a wooded area where the path passes by a house on the right.

(B) Canvey Island is a reclaimed island in the Thames Estuary. It is separated from the mainland by a network of creeks. The island is just above sea level and is prone to flooding at exceptional tides. On 31 January 1953, a North Sea tidal surge hit the island during the night and 58 people died. A new seawall was built after this flood, then replaced with a significantly larger construction in the 1980s.

[3] Continue until you come to a cross roads in the path. At this point take a right downhill towards the Thames Estuary. At the bottom of the hill you emerge onto an open green space. Turn left at this point and follow the path over the fields for about 30 minutes passing through several fields. 

(C) Thames Estuary views include Southend Pier and the Isle of Grain power station chimney. Southend-on-Sea - originally the "south end" of the village of Prittlewell - became a seaside resort during the Georgian era and Southend Pier is the world's longest pleasure pier at 1.33 miles/2.16km. In May 2012 a new cultural centre was hoisted by crane on to the end of the pier. The Isle of Grain power station was built in the 1970s, closed in 2003 and reopened in 2006. It provides up to three percent of the National Grid power supply.

[4] After about 30 minutes walking you will reach a a stile next to a sign marked "Hadleigh Castle Country Park" (D). Shortly after you pass the sign the path splits in two, keep to the right following the path across another level field. Stop to admire views of ruined Hadleigh Castle (E) ahead of you.

(D) Hadleigh Country Park extends over 387 acres, making it one of the largest country parks in Essex. The park consists of scrub, grassland and woodland and is home to a variety of wildlife - birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

(E) Hadleigh Castle was built in the 13th Century during the reign of Henry III by Hubert de Burgh. It is Grade I listed. It is built on a hill of London clay and has therefore been subject to subsidence over the years which has contributed to its current ruined condition. In the 19th Century the castle was sold to the Salvation Army which then later gave it to English Heritage in 1948. The castle boasts magnificent views over the Thames Estuary and is a very popular spot with visitors. 

After 100 metres you will reach another stile. Cross the stile where you emerge onto a wide gravel path which heads sharply uphill to the left. This is where the route ends. From this point there will be signs and 2012 marshalls to show you to the venue.

The Salvation Army's Hadleigh Home Farm Colony can be seen on this walk. General Booth established the Colony in 1891 to provide food, shelter and training to destitute people rescued from the squalor of London. Booth started with 800 acres of land, later expanding to 3,200 acres. The farm was home to 200 by the end of its first year and existing farm buildings were renovated and new dormitories, a bathhouse, laundry, reading room, hospital and religious meeting house were built. As well as farming and market gardening, brick making, pottery and construction skills were also taught. Today the colony operates an employment training centre for people who have special training needs. The aim is to create a realistic working environment, with the intention of helping people gain the skills necessary for work elsewhere. Employment at the training centre – reminiscent of the colony’s origins - includes horticulture, carpentry, catering, office skills and estate management.

Thanks to Bryan Winn, Jennifer French, Anthony Collins, Anne Collins, Maureen Newman, John Baxter and Robert Turner for checking the route and for all the information about Benfleet and Hadleigh.