Places of interest...
Benson's Guest House is excellently situated just one minute from Southend seafront & attractions area. There are a wide variety of nightclubs, two casinos and over 300 restaurants, pubs & wine bars.
Southend-on-Sea Pier
At 1.34 miles Southend still boasts the world's longest pier. This fantastic structure has had a chequered past and has suffered a number of disasters--both natural and man-made. Construction on the original iron pier began in 1889 but it wasn't until 1929 with The Prince George Extension that the pier reached it's current record-beating length.
There are a number of events which take place annually, such as visits by the Tall Ships, Sedov and Pegoria. And the renowned Punch & Judy Festival. The pier attracts around 300,000 people per annum.
The pier is also used daily for recreational activities such as angling, passes are available for both day and night fishing.
A train system runs along the pier, as well as walkway which extends almost the entire length of the structure.
Visit the official Southend Pier website.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island is the top theme park in the south-east of England. There are more than 40 rides and attractions to enjoy.
Admission to the park is free, you only "pay if you play." Wristbands can be purchased which give you access to around 30 different rides.
There are numerous cafes, parlours and kiosks serving everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to ice cream, candy floss and fudge.
Adventure Island is open all year round, during the winter months the park is accessible at the weekends, usually at cheaper rates.
Visit the official Adventure Island website.
Southend Sea-life Adventure
Open all year round, this fascinating aquatic centre is as fun as it is educational. A joy for both kids and adults, over thirty different displays featuring an abundance of marine life. See sharks, stingrays, seahorses and pirahnas, and learn all about them during promotional talks and demonstrations. Visit Southend Sea-life Adventure online.
Beaches, Parks & Gardens
Southend features around seven miles of seafront, along this huge stretch of coastline you will find various award-winning beaches and environments. Enjoy a relaxing stroll, a family picnic, the latest watersports or simply a paddle in the sea--Southend has a beach for every need.
Watersports are very popular in Southend, sailing, kite-surfing, jet-skiing, canoeing, scuba diving, and of course, windsurfing are all available to the adventurous visitor.
The foreshore is also a haven for wildlife, there are various vantage points and telescopes dotted along the coast to facilitate your viewing of the various creature habitats.
Southend's many parks and gardens are renowned, particularly for their Chelsea Flower Show-awarded displays. A wide range of activities are available in the various public parks. From a game of tennis, horseback rides, quaint woodland walks to a spot of fishing. They are also home to various annual events such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Concert in Priory Park. Addresses for the various parks and gardens can be found at Locallife - Southend.
Shopping and Eating Out
Southend high-street stretches half-a-mile from the top of Pier Hill along the seafront to Victoria Circus--the heart of the town-centre. As well as the more familiar high-street store chains there are various unique, specialist shops.
There are three shopping malls located at opposite ends of the high-street. The Royals Shopping Centre is situated towards the south and features a glass-domed roof. The northern end consists of the Victoria Plaza shopping centre and the Broadway.
The centre itself is pedestrianised and served by two railway stations - Southend Victoria and Southend Central - which both have direct links to London. There are excellent car-park facilities in and around the town as well as 'park and ride.'
There are over 300 places to eat, a veritable cornucopia of international delights. From French, Spanish and Italian to Greek, Japanese and Thai. Not forgetting traditional British cuisine, Fish & Chips and Rossis Ice Cream!
Museums and Galleries
Southend also caters for those with a keen eye for art. The Beecroft Gallery in Westcliff contains a wide range of works, from the 17th century to the present. Whilst the Focal Point Gallery at Southend Central Museum houses the very latest digital artwork, with various photographic and video displays. Admission to both galleries is completely free.
Southend Central Museum contains a wealth of interesting exhibits, dealing with the regions natural and human history. The Discovery Centre features interactive learning, where visitors are encouraged to use equipment on display, such as microscopes, computers and magnifiers in order to gain a better understanding of the region's history.
To visit the past, head to Southchurch Hall Museum. A medieval manor house which dates back to the 14th century. The museum grounds feature ornamental gardens and ponds, and the various rooms are dedicated to different periods of English history. From the Middle Ages, Tudor and through to Victorian.
Browse along to Southend Museums for more details.
The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre
The Cliffs Pavillion offers a year-round programme of concerts, major ballet companies, touring West End musicals and famous pop and jazz artists. Situated on Southend's famous cliffs the venue has a 1,630 capacity or around 2,000 standing. The official Cliffs Pavilion website contains details of upcoming shows and booking information.
The Palace Theatre is a smaller more intimate venue. Drama productions, music concerts and stand-up comedy acts have filled this stage in Southend for over 90 years.
The theatre caters for around 600 patrons, and is now a recognised venue for national tours of major productions. As well as one-off performances from famous stars. Continue on to the Palace Theatre for show and ticket information.
Southend Visitor Information Centre
Download a Southend-on-Sea brochure for more details on the various attractions and facilities that are available.
Southend Visitor Information Centre
The Pier Entrance
Southend Pier
Eastern Esplanade
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 1EE
Tel. 01702 215120
www.visitsouthend.co.uk
