Coeliac in Leigh-on-Sea - any advice?

[EllieStreatham]

Hi

We will be moving from London to Leigh-on-Sea in a couple of months with our 2 kids (18 months and 3 years).

My daughter has Coeliac Disease meaning she cannot eat any gluten. I wondered if there were any other mums in the area with coeliac children who could offer some advice.

In particular any recommendations for restaurants, cafes, pubs who are good with gluten free food, anywhere that does gluten free chips, any advice for school as my daughter will be starting reception this year, especially if your child's school were helpful with dealing with coeliac.

We are moving to the highlands estate and don't know the area at all! If anyone could recommend any good drop in's / activities for young children on that side of town that would be great.

Thank you so much,

Ellie

We live very near the Highlands estate (Marine), I'm sure you'll be very happy. My daughter has just been diagnosed coeliac and my husband has just announced he'd like to go out for dinner tonight so I've done a bit of phoning around. Toby Carvery The Bell on A127 (which we've been to before and pretty happy with) apparently have a special book which you get given on arrival and chef goes through with you. The Bellhouse in Eastwood adapt their menu and prepare coeliac food on a different counter. The Smack in Old Leigh can offer Red Pepper Cheesecake (!). Bread and Cheese pub on Bread and Cheese Hill A13 Benfleet roast everything plainly, take your own gravy! Hope this helps. There's also fish and chip shop in Leigh on A13 near Chalkwell School which does GF. Not sure how school (WLIS??) will help but certainly ask. Please let me know how you get on - all the best.

Just seen this! Thank you.

I hope you enjoyed your meal out! And are getting used to your daughters new diagnosis. It's a big change at first. We found we got used to it quite quickly at home, but much harder out and about, at friends and holidays etc. Good luck.

Welcome to Leigh :)

Did you want advice on schools and playgroups in general, or solely for their ability to deal with coeliac?

Hi, yes any general advice too would be great. Thanks in advance.