Visit Southend-on-Sea, the seaside resort of Essex!
Visit the stunning county of Essex and stay in a hotel in Southend. There is plenty to do here from the Adventure Island to the Southend Pier I'm sure you won't regret booking accommodation in Southend. This historic town offers all the classic seaside delights that you would normally expect as well as seven miles of beach to explore.
How to get to Southend?
By the train from London it is a simple and quick 1 hr journey to Southend departing from London Liverpool Street. Southend also has an Airport which flies to many different locations making it easy to visit from abroad. Driving is an option for those who want the flexibility whilst visiting and the easiest journey from London is to take the M25, but avoid going during rush hour - especially Friday evenings!
Where to Stay?
Due to its size, Southend doesn't really have neighbourhoods which we can suggest staying in. Accommodation in Southend includes hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts or seafront rentals. If you want to be close to the beach and pier, why not look on Likibu from a seafront holiday rental and choose different sizes or styles. Find self-catering apartments in Southend if you are on more of a budget and fancy cooking and eating in one night. You could even stay in the student accommodation for your stays in the holiday periods.
What to do?
Adventure Island
This adventure park is based on Southend's seafront and lies for a perfect day out for all the family. There are over 60 rides and attractions as well as a new indoor centre that has rides, arcade games and plenty of food options. Mini-golf is also on the premises and makes for a fun and competitive game both for adults and children.
Southend Pier
If you walk along Southend high street towards the sea, it is hard to miss the Southend Pier. At the end of the pier sits the Royal Pavilion opened in 2012 and it hosts a range of events from concerts and plays. There is also a café where you can grab a coffee and bite to eat in the warm. Visit the RNLI Lifeboat Station and perhaps book a tour to have a look around the station and check out the gift shop.
Beaches
There are around 6 beaches in Southend, all with various tide timetables and attractions. City Beach on the central seafront includes funky lighting on the columns, Jubilee Beach is a busy beach with lots on such as boat trips. For a spot of crabbing for the children head to Three Shells Lagoon which is in the heart of Adventure Land. For good walks head to Westcliff Beach and treat yourself to a world-famous Rossi ice cream at the end! Life guards monitor the beaches in summer months, and please note that dogs are not permitted on Southend beaches at any time between May and September.
Best Time to Visit Southend
England has a reputation for having inconsistent weather patterns, but we would say the best times to visit Southend are between May and October. Winter months will be colder but there will be lots of Christmas entertainment, so you may want to consider visiting then as the number of tourists increases during summer.