Southend-on-Sea (1)

Walk Details:
Date: 22/8/2005
Total ascent: 1m/ 3ft
Total distance walked: 0.13miles
Walk difficulty: 0.5/10
Enjoyment rating: 0.5/10
Best bits: Views of the Thames Estuary, nice flower-decorated boundary sign
Worst bits: Errm… feeling daft being photographed at the side of the A13
Walkers: Anth, Jim, Fiona
Car Parking: We parked on a side road

Top details:
Name: London Road
County top number: 94 of 204
Grid reference: TQ 82110 86636
Height above sea level: 61m/ 200ft
How nice was the top? 1.5/10
Views: 2.5/10
Description/Notes: The A13 London Road vies with the edge of Great Wood for the title of the highest point of the unitary authority of Southend-on-Sea. The highest point on the Southend part of the London Road is immediately inside the unitary boundary

The Walk:

This was a top that we expected to be horrible. It was at the side of the A13, one of the main roads into Southend. Frankly it didn’t look like it was worth making a walk of it, and we therefore just pulled in on the nearest residential road. A swift walk back around the corner bought us to an odd fenced-off plaque signifying something called the burnt oak – to be frank, I didn’t really understand what it was on about.

Just beyond the mysterious site of the charred tree was the Southend boundary sign, which also signified the highest point in the unitary authority. It was rather nicely decorated with floral baskets, and a few paces beyond there was a reasonable view across the Thames estuary. So, marginally nicer than expected, but still nothing to write home about.