Location: Southend-on-Sea
Top Things to do in Southend-on-Sea
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What to do and see in Southend-on-Sea, England: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Southend-on-Sea (/ˈsaʊθɛnd ɒn ˈsiː/ ( listen)), commonly referred to as simply Southend, is a town and wider unitary authority area with borough status in southeastern Essex, England. It lies on the north side of the Thames Estuary, 40 miles (64 km) east of central London. It is bordered to the north by Rochford and to the west by Castle Point. It is home to the longest leisure pier in the world, Southend Pier. London Southend Airport is located 1.5 NM (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) north of the town centre.
Restaurants in Southend-on-Sea
1. Old Leigh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 995 reviews
Reviewed By lovinmambo - Manchester, United Kingdom
What a hidden gem , loved the quaint little streets and the lovely shops we found a traditional fish bar which sold cockles, mussels, whelks, prawns and jellied eels , we had a half pint of cockles with vinegar and pepper and sat and ate them at a table facing the sea lovely!
2. Hadleigh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By ForgotAboutMuntus - London, United Kingdom
We call this place Windy castle as there's always a breeze! One of our favourite places. Parking is a bit difficult so definitely recommend getting there early. The walk to the castle isn't too long and then the views when you get there are beautiful overlooking the estuary. The ruins are very atmospheric although its quite a challenge to stop children climbing on them! The Salvation Army Cafe by the carpark is brilliant with great views if you sit outside and very reasonable prices.
3. Southchurch Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
A stunning Grade 1 listed moated, medieval manor house is just a short walk from Southend on Sea's busy seafront and High Street. The house, gardens and archaeology are captured in time. Stop by the gift shop for a hot drink and a snack before exploring the gardens and feeding the ducks.
Reviewed By 149stuartc - Rayleigh, United Kingdom
Not far from central Southend on Sea but hidden away in amongst the streets of Southchurch. There are a couple more f brown signs but probably best to use a SatNav if you don’t know the area. There was is no parking so you have to find a space in the side roads (which isn’t too hard). The hall is set in nice gardens. It’s a wonderful building with friendly staff happy to tell you all about the place. Best of all though is it’s free to visit. It’s a wonderful medieval building with very few modern trappings. There are information boards in each room and there are lots of exhibits to give you a feel for the place. I particularly like the kitchen and great hall. The gift shop area also has large information boards telling you all about the history. Really worth finding.
4. Prittlewell Priory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Nestled in the heart of Southend's Priory Park, Prittlewell Priory is a beautiful example of a 12th century Cluniac Monastery. Permanent exhibitions tell the story of the Priory and the building's various uses throughout history. Learn about the lives of the monks of Prittlewell, Tudor period owners including Thomas Audley and Sir Richard Rich and the Victorian Scratton family. Opposite the Priory building you'll find our Visitor Centre complete with gift shop, drinks and other facilities. Enjoy the stunning grounds that surround our building and take a stroll through the picturesque walled gardens.
Reviewed By 42glynism - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
So much history to be found definitely worth a visit when in Southend, with a nice park to walk around and lovely flowers when in season.
5. Shoebury Garrison Conservation area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By 490theos - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
This area has been opened up over the last few years having been military land. There is a nice walk along the seawall. The barge pier is fenced off but this is ignored Good lake with swans and other birdlife Excellent interpretative screens Bracing in th winter
6. Wallasea Island Wild Coast
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Cheekycockney190757 - Basildon, United Kingdom
Visited on Saturday 20th February 2021 for the first time. A nice drive with indicators on the route that the island can experience cut off's due to water coverage of access roads, so double-check if planning a visit when this may be an issue. Once on the Island, the road comes to a natural end with an excellent well maintained free car park. There were signs indicating trails and distance of those trails along the raised seawall. These trails are narrow and thus when you come across walkers coming in the opposite direction you cannot maintain any social distance. We simply went back to back. The views on the route we took which was 2km x2 towards the harbour and back were excellent as it covered the River Crouch and Burnham on Crouch on the opposite bank. No toilet or refreshments on site so be conscious of that. A few birds viewed but on the trail, we took no hides. From the harbour seal, viewing trips can be taken. We will be returning in future to enjoy exploring more.
7. Strand Wharf
8. Mulberry Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Cheekycockney190757 - Basildon, United Kingdom
The Southend Phoenix Caisson. In the lead-up, to D-Day the UK Government began construction on a Top Secret Project that would enable the allied invasion to literally take a harbour with them. The Project was The Mulberry Harbour, a floating concrete harbour built in sections and towed across the English Channel to the beaches where the initial invasion took place. The need of such a vast undertaking was because all the ports were very heavily fortified by the Nazi forces and to aid the advance through occupied France the allies needed to get large amounts of men, machines and supplies to the front line. The Southend Phoenix Caisson was originally built in Immingham on the banks of the River Humber; the section was in the process of being towed to Southsea, Hampshire in preparation for the D-Day landings when it began to let in water. The caisson was diverted by the admiralty into the Thames Estuary so that the leak could be investigated and repaired. Upon entering the Thames, it fell under control of HMS Leigh at Southend Pier, the radio operator directed the towing vessel to keep the main shipping lanes clear so it was decided to position the Caisson over the West Knock sandbank. Once it was in position the taps that flooded the structure were opened to allow the gradual controlled sinking to take place. However the caisson shifted position as the flooding process was taking place. This resulted in the caisson settling on the sandbank with three-quarters supported and the rest hanging over the edge of the bank. The stresses exerted on the unsupported section proved too great and the back of the section broke rendering it useless to the war effort. The hulk has been left where it settled to this day, it lays 1.2miles off the shore at Thorpe Bay and is clearly visible at all states of tide. This is when it can be walked to at low tide, but you have very limited to time to get there and back so you have to head off before the tide is fully out and only spend about 15 mins at the harbour before you make your way back to the beach. There is a coast guard station directly opposite the harbour and many rescue calls have to be made by those who get there timings wrong and get stuck as the tide comes back in. We visited on Thursday 18th June 2020.
9. Southend Pier & Railway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,052 reviews
Southend Pier is a major landmark in Southend-on-Sea. Extending 1.34 miles into the Thames Estuary, it is the longest pleasure pier in the world. Sir John Betjeman once said that "the Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier". The pier is a Grade II listed building.
Reviewed By Stevens82WGC - Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
We enjoyed our walk along the pier and the cafe and rnli station/shop at the end was a perfect break before walking back! Not much else open but given it was out of season/windy I wasn’t unsurprised.
10. Hadleigh Farm - Rare Breeds Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By 544kayg - Hadleigh, United Kingdom
Pleasant grounds for walking the dogs. Lovely scenery. Very well maintained and animals cared for. Has an excellent cafe to
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