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City and unitary authority in Essex, England
Photo: David Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Southend-on-Sea is a seaside resort about 40 miles (64 km) east of London at the mouth of the River Thames Estuary. It's famous for its Victorian pleasure pier, the longest in the world!
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At 1.3 miles (2158 metres) long it is the longest pleasure pier in the world. Although damaged a couple of times during its life by boat collisions and fires, the Pier can be accessed on foot or by the pier train which will take you to the far end where there is constant deep water, although the waters are tidal. At the "dry end" you can visit the Pier museum. A fire severely damaged the pier head on 9 October 2005, destroying a large part of it. This part is off limits, but the section from the shore to the cordoned off head is still open to the public. There is a cafe at the end of the pier and also a shop supporting the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). In the summer Thames Barges are often seen at the end of the pier for visitors to admire.
A true Southend seafront landmark that has been entertaining families for over 40 years, Adventure Island is a small amusement park with various rides ranging from the scary to the serene. Entry is free, but to access the vast majority of rides you need to buy one of three colour-coded wristbands. Each ride is given a designated colour - Blue (the fastest/scariest rides for which you must be at least 1.2 m tall, usually unsuitable for younger children or those with health issues), Green (fast/scary rides, but suitable for older children and those seeking milder thrills, although children between 1 m and 1.2 m tall must be accompanied by someone over 14 years old), and Red (calmer rides that are suitable for most children, with some even being usable for older toddlers). There are varying price bands for wristbands so it's best to check the website. You can also pre-book wristbands there, which is much cheaper than buying them on the day. Opening times vary: please check the website. During the low season in the winter months the park usually only opens on the weekends.
The beaches in Southend stretch for miles along the seafront, with many small shops selling ice creams and doughnuts. City Beach, located between the Pier and Sealife Centre is the best. It has child-friendly fountains and a modern feel. Beyond the Sealife Centre and Southchurch Park the beaches continue but cafes and other facilities don't.
The beach at the Three Shells, to the West of Adventure Island, is the most sandy. It has a climbing frame, showers, and a boating lake. It can easily become crowded on sunny bank holidays.
Open all day all year round. The arcades are an area offering video game machines, bingo, pool tables and fruit machines. Games cost between 50p and £1 per game and the area is very popular during the summer months. Free to enter.
A themed aquarium featuring marine life found all along the Thames Estuary as well as tropical fish from foreign climes. It also has the Three Shells Cafe and a small shop for when you're done admiring the aquatic life.
Delightfully crazy cliff railway, built in 1912, is an easy way to the top of the cliff.
Grade II listed building, constructed as an amusement arcade but now empty.
Modern, family-friendly museum and formal gardens, set among the substantial ruins of a medieval priory with a 900-year history. The grounds of the priory form a large public park. In the north of the park a Anglo-Saxon burial was discovered which pre-dates the monastery by 1,000 years.
Museum and Planetarium, which includes the exhibits from the impressive Anglo-Saxon burial discovered in Priory Park.
Local art gallery with a large collection of artwork. Occasional exhibitions.
Medieval manor house and park. Inside is a set of period rooms, including a Great Hall and Tudor kitchen
Built in 2013 together with the University of Essex, the Forum is a combination of public library, art gallery and event space. Check the website for talks and lectures available to the public.
Live music venue with regular gigs from Jazz to Punk and back again. Each night of each month has something different.
The beaches get quieter further from the pier, but there are still cafes regularly spaced to the west. The area around the Beach Hut in Westcliff is a local favourite: a quiet and traditional beach with an old tidal pool.
The beautiful gardens have won many awards over the years including accolades at the Chelsea Flower Show. It is worth stopping here for lunch or a quiet stroll along the cliff gardens.
A popular historic attraction and can be seen on the hillside as you travel by train between Benfleet and Leigh-on-Sea stations. The castle in its current state is just some ruins and there is no shop or guide; however, there is free on-site parking. It is possible to walk from Leigh-on-Sea station but the walk is around 2 miles (3 km) through fields. Nearby is a petting zoo and a farm run by the Salvation Army.
Stroll along the sea wall past Chalkwell Railway Station and you come to the sandy beach by the Bell Wharf in Leigh "Old Town" (known as Old Leigh). Visit the Lynn Tait Gallery, stroll on past the cockle sheds and take a walk round the bird sanctuary on Two-Tree Island (at the rear of Leigh-On-Sea Railway Station).
Quiet, windswept beach popular for kite flying and surfing. An area of grass winds alongside the beach with facilities for holding a barbecue. Facilities include car parking and toilets.
A wet weather alternative to Adventure Island for families that is situated in the centre of the Adventure Island complex. It's also open during the winter when Adventure Island is closed. It's entirely indoors and has a handful of fairground rides including a carousel and a swinging pirate boat. The rest of the space has an indoor adventure play area and a large arcade. You can buy a wristband to access the rides, but the arcade is pay-as-you-go and you are given a free game card which you put money onto.
At southend Pier. Every Saturday night from October to Guy Fawkes Night (5 Nov). Fireworks are lit at the foot of the pier for all to see. They start 8PM.
Old Leigh (nearest railway station: Leigh-On-Sea). Days and times open. The regatta takes place during a weekend every September in Old Leigh (nearest station: Leigh-On-Sea) and there are many markets stalls, live bands, sailing and water-based activities and the bars open late into the evening. Free entry.
Southend Pier Head (Get the train to the end of the pier). Waverley run boat trips up and down the Thames from the Pier head all year around, leaving during the day as well as into the evening.
"The Shrimpers" were relegated in 2021 and now play soccer in the National League, England's fifth tier. Their home ground is Roots Hall, capacity 12,400, a mile north of the main railway station and a quarter mile west of Prittlewell station.
The Cliffs Pavilion is a renowned theatre venue in Westcliff-on-Sea. There is always a show on and it is possible to see many famous acts including music, comedy and theatre. Tickets start from around £10 but bargains can be found on the opening night of shows.
The Palace Theatre is the Cliffs' sister venue and shows alternative arts including plays and musicals.
Belfairs Woods and golf course. Has nature walks, a cafeteria, golf facilities and as large car park. Free to enter however you will have to pay to park. Golf course features a large public 18-hole golf course as well as a 9-hole pitch and putt course, and is open all year around. 18 holes costs £12 or more and pitch and putt is £2 or more.
Second public golf course in Southend offering a driving range and 18-hole course.
Music and art festival held in July each year, attracting about 15,000 visitors.
Festival of folk music held in June each year.
Hockley is the largest woodland area in Essex as well as a popular bird-watching site. The woods open out into Cherry Orchard Way Park, an area of meadow and farmland which is open to the public. Together, they form part of many nature walks, including the Saffron Trail. There are no facilities other than a car park and toilets (at Hockley Woods). Car parking is also available on Cherry Orchard Way, Edward's Hall Park and Gusted Hall Lane.
A café which is also part of the local art scene, combining events and arts with healthy food.
Serves fish and chips, ice cream, etc. On the beach 2 minutes west of the pier. Has indoor seating with views of the sea.
Located in the centre of Southend, close to the railway station, The Mews offers a fine selection of wines and beers; and an open kitchen serving contemporary meals from lunchtime through to the evening.
Probably the nicest place to eat on the High Street and certainly with the best selection of Italian ice-cream for miles around. Try their "Italian Black Magic" - scrumptious!
Part of a national chain and offers pizza and pasta. It is possible to sit outside (however this would be difficult during the summer evenings). Pizzas and bowls of pasta.
Traditional Italian restaurant.
A family-owned restaurant. It has the most spectacular garden in leigh, with the most beautiful views of the estuary. Offering a wide range of different foods and flavours, a hearty full English, mezze sharing platters, pastas, stir-fries freshly caught fish, fish and chips, and a selection of tasty goodies for children.
Touts its "authentic Indian cuisine along with delicious Nepalese and Tibetan cooking".
Ubiquitous UK chain coffee bar.
Serves a wide range of coffees for 69p. (See below for more information)
The Italian cafeteria offers many coffees and drinks and is open all day.
A bar and bistro on the sands in Thorpe Bay. Enjoy a relaxing bistro meal overlooking the estuary. Ocean beach has a restaurant capacity of 60 inside for a Full Bistro Menu, with a further 60 outside with a Bistro Decking Menu.
The pub is a run-of-the-mill Wetherspoons pub and is built in a former post office (hence the name) and offers a wide range of beers, wines and spirits as well as a mediocre selection of food. There are always a few real ales on tap however the quality varies. Like other JD Wetherspoon pubs, there is no music but premiership football is shown at weekends. It gets busy on Friday and Saturday nights due to cheapness of the drinks. Around £2 a pint (Probably the cheapest place to drink in the town centre).
Open all week. Frequented by students of the local college. It offers a nightclub which plays alternative/indie music which is open at weekends. There is a small beer garden at the back of the pub and a couple of pool tables.
Famous for its large beer garden. Sit back, slap on the sun screen and enjoy a nice cold beer, glass of wine or cocktail.
A contemporary restaurant serving some of the best locally caught seafood in Southend.A full and varied à-la-carte menu, snacks and a children's menu. A large continental-style terrace overlooking a beach to enjoy a chilled glass of wine.
A real country pub full of local character and good food. In the middle of nowhere, but worth the trip. Only really accessible by car or taxi.
In the town centre, the Travelodge provides basic accommodation for a low price.
On the seafront, a short walk from the pier and other attractions, this is an easy hotel to use as a base. The surroundings aren't too attractive as it's next to a derelict site, but you can easily ask for a sea view room: the higher up you are, the better! The restaurant, a Brewers Fayre, is on the ground floor.
A short ride from the town centre (either by driving or via taxi or Arriva bus route 9), this hotel is just behind the seafront and front-facing rooms have coastal views. It is next to the Halfway House pub offering carvery meals all day long. This hotel does not offer the Premier Inn Breakfast but takeaway breakfasts are available.
This hotel is more suited to those using the nearby London Southend Airport and is a 15-minute drive from the seafront. It is next to a pub which is open all day however there are no facilities nearby except for a Tesco Extra superstore.
The refurbished Roslin Beach Hotel is in the peaceful town of Thorpe Bay which has a fine view of the Thames Estuary, and is opposite a charming beach. The hotel is good for those looking for a hotel in a quieter area and is only 5 minutes drive from Southend-on-Sea.
Southend High Street is the major shopping centre for the area. Throughout the two shopping centres and the pedestrianised High Street itself are the normal selection of large chains, with a small scattering of independent shops mostly centered around Queens Road. The north end (near Southend Victoria train station) has Victoria Plaza shopping centre and a cinema complex, while the south end (near the Pier) has the Royals Shopping Centre. The shops comprise a mix of travel agents, banks, building societies, telephone shops, stationers, and shoe shops; department stores are represented by Marks and Spencers.
The main shopping area in Westcliff is Hamlet Court Road and well worth a visit, with some pretty decent eateries along it. There are many independent shops here.
In Leigh-on-Sea, visit the shops along Leigh Road, Leigh Broadway and Rectory Grove, where you will be spoilt for choice. Includes a mixture of chains, independent and boutique shops. For evening entertainment there are a couple of nightclubs and some casinos as well as numerous pubs and restaurants, cinemas and theaters, not to mention the Mecca Bingo.
By train
Southend is served by two railway lines, both about one hour from London.
By plane
Cycling
There is an 8-km-long cycle track along the seafront between Westcliff and Garon's Park. There is also a cycle track from the Southend Victoria station to Priory Park.
By car
It is possible to get around Southend by car and the roads are usually not busy.
By bus
Southend has a reliable, frequent bus service run by Arriva Buses and First Buses.
By taxi
Southend is well-served by Taxis; however, there are relatively few "black cabs", so taxis have to be picked up from designated taxi ranks or booked over the telephone (+44 1702 334455).
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Southend-on-Sea, Essex · Regional · SEN
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