A coastal town with the world's longest pleasure pier, stretching 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary. Sandy beaches and amusement parks line its active seafront.
Southend-on-Sea, 40 miles east of London, draws visitors to its 1.34-mile-long pleasure pier, where you can fish, dine, or ride a historic railway along the Thames Estuary. Walk along seven miles of beaches, ride rollercoasters at Adventure Island theme park, or watch ships pass by from the pier's viewing deck. The town comes alive with events like the annual carnival and film festival, while its theaters host performances ranging from comedy shows to West End musicals.
The World's Longest Pleasure Pier
Walk or take a 15-minute train ride along the 1.34-mile iron-built Southend Pier, stretching into the Thames Estuary. Stop at the pier head to eat at the Salt Café, try your hand at fishing, or watch container ships and sailboats pass by. The pier's railway runs every 30 minutes during summer and hourly in winter.
Beaches and Water Activities
Four Blue Flag beaches line the coast: East Beach, Shoebury Common, Three Shells, and Westcliff Bay. The Southend Marine Activities Centre runs two-hour kayaking sessions for beginners and advanced paddlers from April to October. You can rent windsurfing equipment or join group sailing lessons in the calm waters of the Thames Estuary.
Parks and Green Spaces
Walk through Belfairs Wood's 1,160 acres of ancient woodland, where you might spot purple hairstreak butterflies in summer or hazel dormice in autumn. The woodland contains marked walking trails and a golf course. In Priory Park, play tennis, listen to weekend brass band concerts at the bandstand, or explore the hedge maze. Visit the 12th-century priory building to learn about local medieval history through interactive exhibits.
Cultural Venues
At the Central Museum and Planetarium, watch astronomical shows in Southeast England's only public planetarium outside London. The museum displays local archaeological finds and runs hands-on science workshops for children. The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre put on performances ranging from stand-up comedy to touring West End shows. Visit the Focal Point Gallery to see rotating contemporary art exhibitions or join their weekend art workshops.
Adventure and Entertainment
Adventure Island's 50+ rides include the Green Scream rollercoaster and family-friendly carousel rides. Enter the park for free and buy ride wristbands as needed. At Escape Live, teams of 2-6 people can solve puzzles in themed rooms like "The Secret Lab" or "Pirate Adventure," with 60 minutes to complete each challenge.
Getting Around
Arriva Southend and First Essex Buses run services every 10-15 minutes between the pier, town center, and residential areas. Trains to London run every 20 minutes, with a 45-minute journey time to Liverpool Street Station. London Southend Airport connects to European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Dublin.
Annual Events
The Southend Carnival parades through the town each August with decorated floats and marching bands. During the Southend-on-Sea Film Festival in May, The Old Waterworks Arts Center screens independent films and hosts director Q&As. Join thousands of runners in the October half marathon along the seafront, or watch the New Year's Eve fireworks display launched from the pier.
