About Southend on Sea

Southend on Sea is located on the Essex Coast, on the northern side of the Thames Estuary. With a population of 316,000, it counts 9 beaches across 7 miles of sand and pebble beaches, attracting over 6 million tourists each year. It is 40 miles from Central London, accessible by the C2C into Fenchurch Street and Great Anglia services. In October 2021, Southend was granted city status in memory of Member of Parliament, Sir David Ames, who tragically lost his life in London; he was a long-time advocate of obtaining city status.

Southend on Sea is home to the world’s longest iron pleasure pier, stretching an impressive 1.34 miles into the Sea. Originally built with a wooden structure in 1830, the site was operated by the Royal Navy during World War II, acting as its departure point. Due to fire and event boat crashing damage, it was rebuilt many times and had a railway operating daily and running the entire pier length. But, of course, no pier is complete without a fun park, with an action-packed time guaranteed at Adventure Island..

The Southend on Sea Community

As a seaside town, Southend has a variety of tranquil and much-frequented activities. If you enjoy marine life, Sealife Adventure is the place for you and presents the UK’s first Zooquarium, submerged in 195,000 litres of water. Experience much more than a regular aquarium as you venture into various oceans and seas, discovering over 40 displays and sea dwellers along the way. Why not plan your visit around the exciting talks, demonstrations, and promotions programme? Southend is also rich in history, and a glimpse of this can be seen at the English Heritage site of Hadleigh Castle,, towards the west of Southend. This former royal residence sat on a clay hill and was built in the 13th century during King Henry VIII’s reign, serving as home to the ageing King Edward III. King Edward was the first to understand its strategic importance, defending the Thames Estuary from the hundred-year-long French raids. However, his successors did not share the same enthusiasm for the castle and demolished it, selling the castle off as building materials. As a result, Hadleigh Castle now exists as ruins against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset.