Monday10am - 11pm
Tuesday10am - 11pm
Wednesday10am - 11pm
Thursday10am - 11pm
Friday10am - 11pm
Saturday10am - 11pm
Sunday10am - 10:30pm
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Admire the estuary views from our traditional Old Leigh pub, complete with outdoor patio area and its own cockle shed.
The Peterboat is famed for its excellent fish dishes, charming fishing village surroundings, and welcoming atmosphere.
Thanks to our traditional values, we pride ourselves on our fantastic customer care and great service, making your visit to The Peterboat the best it can be! We’re home to many live music nights and love getting involved in local festivities, so be sure to check out our events to see what’s coming up here soon.
The boats used by the fisherman back in the mid-20th century were much smaller than those to which we are accustomed. The earliest type seems to have been the ‘peter boat’, originally a double ended boat, without gunwale or rim, but as strong and safe as a fisherman’s boat should be.
In later times the term came to be used, principally on the Thames and adjacent coasts, for a decked fishing boat of small size. The earliest known reference to a ‘peter boat’ occurs in petition to the Court of Admiralty in 1540 concerning an alleged robbery of fish at Lye:
"These been the injuryes and wrongs don and committed by one John Pope of Lye in the countie of Essex ageynst and to me Elys Sharp ffysherman of Stebynhythe (Stepney) in County of Middlesex."
"First where I the said Elys Sharp about Easter last past was a twelvemonth being in a certain petyr boat comyng towards the towne of Lye aforesaid to buy such vytales as I liked as I was nye to the lande syde there upon the land was the said John Pope whiche said unto me the said Elys Come a land. And I supposing he wold have bought some ffysh of me came at his bydding. And as sone as i was arryvyd to the shore the said John Pope toke hold of one of the owers and stept in my bote."
"And upon that he toke the tronke in his hands and hallyd it up to the land and there put forth all the fysh that was in the tronke into a basket and toke what plesyd hym of the same ffysh to the quantytie of a pek and gave me the rest that he had left which were but few and alle the smallest and worst. And gave me nor proffyred me one penny therfor and also as he was goying away with the said ffysh he said What knave I shall never ryd the country of you. That moche other wrongs and injuries that I and others hath been misused in times past whiche to long to rehers whereof I desyre your masterships to have redresse."
John Pope was the tenant of Leigh Hall and his defence was that the fish were taken in a creek in the Manor of Leigh and therefore belonged to William Stafford, who held the Manor in right of his wife.
In 1892, the old inn was tragically burnt down, although it revealed an unsuspected large underground room having a waterside entrance, and relics of its contraband use were brought to light. This store-room adjoined the Alley Dock from which a narrow path once led up-hill and across country, a branch running to Daws Heath. Daws Heath was a notorious rendezvous for highwaymen and it was believed that much brandy and tobacco was there by connivance of the Leigh fisherman.
Many changes have been made to the current building and its surroundings over the years, including an extension of the bar area. In fact, the bar area used to be in three rooms: a men’s bar, a public bar. and a family bar. The outside area was occupied by homes, until they were demolished in the early 20th century. Throughout the evolution of The Peterboat to the pub known and loved by locals and tourists alike today, its original seaside charm remains, truly cementing its significance in Leigh-on-Sea.
From London, head along the A13 from Saddlers Farm roundabout in the direction of Thundersley/Southend. Keep on following the A13 through Hadleigh, and turn right onto Thames Drive (just after the Esso/Tesco filling station). Go straight across the traffic lights at the bottom of Thames Drive, following the road as it bears left down Belton Way, past Leigh on Sea railway station. Take the next right, across the flyover into Old Leigh and High Street. The Peterboat is located on the High Street in Old Leigh, just a few minutes away from the Leigh Heritage Centre & Museum.
From Southend take the scenic route all the way along the seafront towards Chalkwell. Follow the road right into Chalkwell Avenue, then turn left at the traffic lights onto The Ridgway. Follow the road past Chalkwell station, along Cliff Gardens and Grand Parade to Old Leigh. After the road runs adjacent to the railway, turn left over the flyover into Old Leigh and High Street. The Peterboat is located on the High Street in Old Leigh, just a few minutes away from the Leigh Heritage Centre and Museum.
Leigh on Sea station on the C2C Fenchurch Street line just a 10 minute walk from the pub. Exit the station and turn right towards Old Leigh. You can either follow the main road accross the flyover or cross the railway and take the steps down to the cocklesheds, and follow the pathway towards the High Street. The Peterboat is located on the High Street in Old Leigh, just a few minutes away from the Leigh Heritage Centre and Museum.
