About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
A peaceful salt marsh wilderness almost on London’s doorstep, Two Tree Island is a popular destination for bird watchers, walkers, water sports lovers and model airplane pilots. The land (which has a high point of seven metres) was reclaimed from the sea in the eighteenth century when a seawall was built around the salt marsh and the land originally used for farming. Now managed as a nature reserve and just a short walk from Leigh-on-Sea, it is a firm favourite as a walking destination. The east of the island is dominated by the reed beds of Leigh Marsh with paths that can be followed to explore this nature reserve. There is a large car park but no other facilities on the island itself. Leigh-on-Sea has the closest facilities (some may be available at the golf club at the entrance to the island).
Highlights of Two Tree Island
- Avocets on the lagoon at the western tip of the island
- Post-walk seafood feast at Leigh-on-Sea
- Exploring the wild saltmarsh from the eastern foreshore
- Walk around Two Tree Island
- Paddle board in Two Tree Island
How to get to Two Tree Island
Train to Leigh station from Fenchurch Street or numerous buses from Southend. Plenty of parking on the island.
Enjoy Two Tree Island’s nature
During the winter months the mudflats are the perfect habitat for thousands of wildfowl and waders, including large flocks of dark-bellied brent geese that feed on areas of eelgrass. From Lagoon Hide, on the west of the island, you’ll spot curlew, dunlin, avocet, redshank, black-tailed godwit and possibly a short-eared owl. The eastern section is part of Leigh National Nature Reserve, where the salt marsh is one of the best in the Thames Estuary. There is an array of salt marsh plant species such as golden samphire, sea purslane, common sea-lavender and sea aster. In the summer the island is full of rare insects and butterflies, including the incredibly rare shrill and brown-banded carder bee and butterflies such as the marbled white and Essex skipper. You may also see sun-bathing adders or slow worms.
Stand-up paddleboarding in Two Tree Island
Two Tree Island is one of the best paddleboarding spots along this stretch of coastline. It is one of a very few places in the area that can be paddled at low tide and, protected from the prevailing southwesterly winds, offers generally flatter water. A popular low-tide trip departs from the island’s slipway on the south coast and heads east along Hadleigh Ray to Seal Point and Southend Pier beyond. Alternatives on a flooding high tide are to paddle west towards Benfleet or cross Hadleigh Ray to investigate ‘The Maze’. Then return as the tide turns. The slipway is also a good starting point for a wild swim in Hadleigh Ray parallel to the island’s southern shore in either direction. It will be a less energetic swim around thirty minutes before high tide and is always best to wear a bright-coloured cap and take a tow-float to be seen by the numerous boaters.
Best food near Two Tree Island
Although there are no facilities o Two Tree Island, nearby Leigh-on-sea is a destination for seafood lovers. A small town full of character and charm it’s a short hop from Southend-on-Sea or train ride from central London. Its fresh air and famous cockle sheds serve to enhance the taste of the local catch which you can sample in the many restaurants or sat on the seawall. Our favourite is Osborne’s along with a pint in the Crooked Billet.
Wild Swim on Two Tree Island
Pick the right time and you can have this swim to yourself. Jump in via the slipway on the south shore then swim parallel to the shore east or west along Hadleigh Ray.
It will be a less energetic swim around 30 mins before high tide. Best to wear a bright-coloured cap and take a tow-float to be seen by the numerous boaters. There is a large car park but no toilets or cafe on the island itself. Leigh-on-Sea has the closest facilities (some may be available at the Golf Club at the entrance to the island).
About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
Key Facts
- Location: Essex
- Size: 257 hectares
- Terrain: Some slippery, wet sections on the foreshore otherwise easy paths
- Access: Road bridge
- Height gain: 61 metres
- Map: OS Explorer 175 Southend-On-Sea and Basildon
- Starting point: Car park, Belton Way,Two Tree Island, SS9 2RF. Grid Ref. TQ 825 854
Two Tree Island walk summary
Saltmarsh, mudflats, and tidal creeks are dotted with plant life and the cries of migrant birds drift across the estuary. On this island walk of two halves, the eastern section is dominated by the reed beds of Leigh Marsh and the unmarked path along the wild foreshore is faint. On the slightly busier western half of the island, the route follows surfaced paths around the sea wall.
Two Tree Island walk description
Turn R out of Leigh-on-Sea railway station and head downhill towards the railway car park. After 100m walk onto the raised Thames Estuary Path past the marina, then after 987m reach the tarmac road and turn L over the bridge onto the island.
Walk along the island road for 200m, turn L into the car park then take the track over the grass bank into the trees. After a further 100m or so pass between the fence and the sign for Two Tree Island Nature Reserve. Follow the clear path through wild roses, brambles, and elders.
After 1.4km take the L fork in the path, then after 30m take the R fork (looks like the main path). After 180m drop down onto the foreshore and follow the faint path through the reeds, which may be slippery underfoot. The route runs E along the shore parallel to the walk from Leigh on Sea station, initially along the high-tide mark and then on the concrete sea wall. After 250m pass the ponds and bird hide.
At the end of the concrete sea wall, drop back down onto the foreshore and turn SE. After a short distance, and immediately after crossing the fence line, a path on L leads NE out into Leigh Marsh. After this detour, return the same way and continue along the foreshore towards the information point.
At the information point, continue SW over the fence line initially along the foreshore and then after 400m or so go up on the grass embankment to meet the main path and on past the inland lagoon, the borrow dyke. At the end of the lagoon, walk up the steps to the car park towards the slipway.
Continue W along the sea wall of the S coast, passing the first bird hide after 900m to reach the second hide on the lagoon at the W tip of the island. At the end of the lagoon there is a tidal crossing (N) back to the mainland at Hadleigh Marsh, but the circular route continues on the path that veers E and along the N coast to pass the ‘tree stump graveyard’ and the model- aircraft flying field. Join the main gravel path, then after 200m or so take the grass path on the L that leads straight on to stay parallel with the creek.
At the main island road, pass through the gate and turn L to retrace the route back to Leigh-on-Sea.
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