Canvey Island by its very nature is an island situated in the Thames estuary. Excluding arriving by helicopter or boat there are only two ways of getting on or off Canvey Island. The B1014 from Canvey Island to Benfleet and Benfleet station; the B1014 is for cars pedestrians and bicycles. The other route onto Canvey Island is the A130; the A130 is not suitable for pedestrians or cyclists. There is no access for pedestrians or cars from the A130 to the Canvey miniature railway, the only entrance is via the B1014 through the Waterside Farm leisure centre entrance.
I will start by stating what not to do. Do not cross the B1014 at the roundabout; there are cars coming from all directions and I can assure you that you will not make it. Walk along the B1014 to the traffic lights by the leisure centre, and use the crossing provided. To walk from Benfleet Station to the traffic lights opposite the leisure centre and then over to the Canvey Miniature Railway takes around ten to fifteen minutes. Benfleet station is on the C2C line, and starts in London at Fenchurch Street; it normally stops at Barking, Upminster, and Benfleet and continues on to Shoeburyness. Another branch of the C2C line will divert off toward Grays and re-join the original C2C line at Pitsea station. Always check that the train is stopping at the station you want as many of them a fast trains only stopping at two of three stations from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness. When you exit the station at Benfleet you should be faced with wide open views across East Haven Creek and a series of bus stops on the same side of the road; If all you can see is buildings and car parks sales you have come out the wrong side of Benfleet station. You don't need to go back into the station just go under the pedestrian underpass. Buses in the area. It would be very useful if I could give you reliable information, however it always seems that they are changing the route or altering the numbers on the buses. From Benfleet station buses 22 and 27 will take you opposite Waterside farm leisure Centre.
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