{"id":67234,"date":"2026-06-30T07:00:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T06:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/?p=67234"},"modified":"2026-06-30T10:57:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T09:57:02","slug":"in-the-shadow-of-the-oil-refineries-swimmers-and-stranded-boats-in-a-sea-of-mud-leigh-on-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/in-the-shadow-of-the-oil-refineries-swimmers-and-stranded-boats-in-a-sea-of-mud-leigh-on-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"In the shadow of the oil refineries: swimmers and stranded boats in a sea of mud, Leigh on Sea &#8211; photo feature"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-01.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Leigh on Sea has something of a troubled relationship with the tide.<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/photo-gallery-a-walk-from-leigh-on-sea-to-southend-and-along-the-worlds-longest-pleasure-pier\/\">it&#8217;s in<\/a>, the Essex town can do a passable impression of a pleasant seaside resort, with a sandy beach, happy swimmers and ice cream shops and bars close by.<\/p>\n<p>But come low tide, the shoreline retreats into the far, far distance,\u00a0 exposing a bleak, grey wilderness of mud, stretching as far as the eye can see.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-04.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Despite the sea (well, actually the Thames Estuary) being so far away you&#8217;d need a telescope to see it, hardy locals know how to make the most of things, striding across the vast muddy plains or plonking themselves into a small muddy causeway.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s some photos from our visit last week &#8211; click here to see how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/photo-gallery-a-walk-from-leigh-on-sea-to-southend-and-along-the-worlds-longest-pleasure-pier\/\">different the place looks like when the tide is in.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-02.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Stranded boats are dotted all over Leigh Creek.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-06.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-05.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-03.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-07.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-08.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the distance you can see the Canvey Island Oil Terminal.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-09.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-10.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>The local police were displeased with some teenagers sunbathing in a<em> non authorised<\/em> area.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-11.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sliding along a mudbank.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-12.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Striding towards the Thames.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-15.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-14.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>The small patch of sand contrasts with the mud flats.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-17.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-18.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-16.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-13.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-19.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-20.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>A young woman makes her way across the mud.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-21.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-22.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-23.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-24.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>The small sandy beach area.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-25.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-26.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-27.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-28.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>Young people in the forbidden sunbathing zone!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.urban75.org\/pics\/leigh-on-sea-2026-29.jpg\" alt=\"Swimmers and stranded boats on a sea of mud in the shadow of the oil refineries: Leigh on Sea in the summer \" \/><\/p>\n<p>[<em>Tech note: Almost all photos were taken on an OM System OM3 with OM System 14mm-150mm f4-5.6 II lens. Additional pics taken on Pixel Pro XL 9<\/em>]<\/p>\n<h4>More about Leigh on Sea<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/photo-gallery-a-walk-from-leigh-on-sea-to-southend-and-along-the-worlds-longest-pleasure-pier\/\">Photo Gallery: a walk from Leigh-on-Sea to Southend and along the world\u2019s longest pleasure pier<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/leigh-on-sea-folk-festival-2018-sun-music-mud-beer-and-flying-knickers-photos\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Leigh-on-Sea Folk Festival 2018: Sun, music, mud, beer and flying knickers \u2013 photos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/photos-from-the-leigh-on-sea-folk-festival-bands-beer-banjos-morris-dancers-and-crowd-scenes\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Photos from the Leigh On Sea folk festival 2017: bands, beer, banjos, Morris dancers and crowd scenes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Join the discussion<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urban75.net\/forums\/threads\/leigh-on-sea-free-folk-festival-is-a-cracker.353020\/\">Leigh On Sea\u00a0free folk festival is a cracker!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leigh on Sea has something of a troubled relationship with the tide. When it&#8217;s in, the Essex town can do a passable impression of a pleasant seaside resort, with a &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":67235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1765,456,17,193],"tags":[34,463,804,372,1694,2737,2865,18,1195,32,809],"class_list":["post-67234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-news","category-photos","category-places","tag-art","tag-beach","tag-coast","tag-essex","tag-leigh-on-sea","tag-om-system","tag-om3","tag-photography","tag-photos","tag-seaside","tag-street-photography"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/leigh-on-sea-2026-01.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pQI7P-huq","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67234"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67252,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67234\/revisions\/67252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.urban75.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}