The longest pleasure pier in the world, an old fishing town famous for cockles and a seafront made for a sunny day: Southend became a city in 2022.
Southend-on-Sea, on the Thames estuary in Essex, has been a favourite seaside escape for Londoners since the Victorian age, when railways brought day trippers to its beaches. It became a city in 2022, as a tribute to its late MP, Sir David Amess, who had long campaigned for it.
Southend is famous for its pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world, its seafront amusements and its miles of beaches. Next door, the old fishing village of Leigh-on-Sea is famous for its cockles. This guide covers six things to see and do.
1. Southend Pier
Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching about one and a third miles out into the Thames estuary. The first wooden pier was built in the 1830s, and the iron pier you see today was built in the late nineteenth century. It had to be long to reach deep water, as the tide goes out a very long way.
A small railway runs along the pier to the end, and it is the easiest way to get there, though many people enjoy the walk. At the end of the pier are a café, a cultural centre and a lifeboat station. The views across the estuary to Kent are wonderful.
The pier has survived fires and ship collisions over the years, and it has been rebuilt and restored many times. It is a much loved symbol of the town. Walking the whole length and back takes about an hour and a half.
There is a charge to go on the pier, either walking or on the train. The pier museum, near the shore end, tells its history. Sunset at the end of the pier is beautiful.
2. Adventure Island and the seafront
Adventure Island, beside the pier, is a seaside amusement park with rides for all ages, from gentle children’s rides to thrilling rollercoasters. Entry to the park is free, and you pay for the rides you want. It is one of the most popular attractions on the Essex coast.
The seafront around Adventure Island is lined with arcades, fish and chip shops, ice cream parlours and gift shops. It is lively and colourful, especially on summer weekends. It is the classic British seaside.
The Kursaal, a domed building on the seafront, was one of the first purpose built amusement parks in the world when it opened at the start of the twentieth century. Sea Life Adventure is an aquarium on the seafront. The Southend Cliff Railway, one of the oldest in the country, carries passengers up and down the cliff.
The cliff gardens above the seafront have lovely views across the estuary. On busy days, parking along the seafront is hard to find. A car dropping you off saves the search.
3. Old Leigh
Old Leigh, part of Leigh-on-Sea to the west of Southend, is a historic fishing village on the estuary. It has a cobbled high street, old pubs and working fishing boats. It feels very different from the busy seafront of Southend.
Old Leigh is famous for its cockles, which are landed here and cooked in the sheds along the waterfront. Eating a pot of cockles, whelks or prawns sitting outside on a sunny day is the classic Leigh experience. The seafood is fresh and delicious.
The pubs of Old Leigh are full of character, with views over the estuary. At low tide the boats sit on the mud, and at high tide they float. It is a lovely place to watch the sunset.
Leigh-on-Sea station is right next to Old Leigh. Two Tree Island, a nature reserve nearby, is a good place to see birds. The Broadway, in Leigh, has independent shops and cafés.
4. Hadleigh Castle and Country Park
Hadleigh Castle stands on a hill above the Thames estuary, a few miles west of Southend. It was built in the thirteenth century and rebuilt by King Edward III in the fourteenth. Its ruined towers are dramatic against the sky.
The painter John Constable painted Hadleigh Castle in 1829, and the painting is one of his most famous. The castle is looked after by English Heritage and is free to visit. The views over the estuary are wonderful.
Hadleigh Country Park, around the castle, has woodland, grassland and marshes. It hosted the mountain biking events at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and its trails are open to the public. It is a lovely place for a walk.
The park has a visitor centre and a café. From the hill, you can see across to Kent. It is easily reached from Leigh-on-Sea.
5. The beaches
Southend has about seven miles of seafront, with beaches stretching from Leigh-on-Sea in the west to Shoeburyness in the east. The beaches are a mix of sand and shingle. At low tide, the sea goes out a long way, revealing wide mudflats.
Thorpe Bay, east of the centre, has rows of colourful beach huts and a quieter beach. East Beach at Shoeburyness is wide and sandy, and it is popular with families. Three Shells Lagoon, near the pier, is a tidal pool where children can paddle safely.
Westcliff, west of the pier, has cliff gardens and a promenade. The whole seafront is good for walking, cycling and running. On sunny days the beaches are packed.
Several beaches have Blue Flag awards for water quality. Check the tide times before planning a swim. Lifeguards patrol some beaches in summer.
6. The Prittlewell Prince and the museums
In 2003, archaeologists digging beside a road in Prittlewell, the old village at the heart of Southend, discovered the grave of an Anglo-Saxon prince. The burial chamber, dating from the early seventh century, was filled with treasures, including gold crosses, a lyre and drinking vessels. It was one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Britain.
The Prittlewell Prince, as he is known, may have been one of the first Christians in the kingdom of the East Saxons. His burial has been called Britain’s answer to Tutankhamun. The treasures are displayed at the Southend Central Museum.
Prittlewell Priory, a twelfth century priory in a park, is now a museum telling the story of the monks who lived there. It is set in lovely gardens. Southchurch Hall, a medieval manor house, is another museum.
The museums are free to visit, though opening times vary. The Beecroft Art Gallery has changing exhibitions. The Cliffs Pavilion is the town’s main theatre.
Getting there and getting around
Southend has two main railway lines to London. Southend Victoria has trains to London Liverpool Street in around an hour, and Southend Central has trains to London Fenchurch Street in a similar time. Leigh-on-Sea and several other stations serve the rest of the town.
London Southend Airport is on the northern edge of the town, with its own railway station. Stansted Airport is about forty five minutes away by road. The A127 and A13 link Southend with London. A car booked ahead is the easiest way to travel between Southend and the airports.
Ride with ZeroLanes. From your door, the station or the airport to anywhere in Southend-on-Sea, at a price fixed before you confirm. Travelling between cities? Get a fixed price for the journey, or keep a car and driver for the day with hourly hire.