Southend-on-Sea Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Epping Forest which includes forest scenes
Swim in the mouth of the River Thames, fish from one of the world’s longest piers or eat fresh fish and chips on the beach at this seaside resort town.

Visit Southend-on-Sea to enjoy a seaside resort village that is known for its tranquility and relaxed pace. Built on the mouth of the Thames Estuary, this is a great place to explore the famous river, stroll through a traditional English village or enjoy authentic fish and chips.

Get your bearings in this small town by taking a quick tour, either on foot or by bicycle.  Leave Southend’s main street and head to the Southend Pier to breathe in the fresh sea air. Stop at Adventure Island on your way and ride one of the rollercoasters or try your luck on the arcade-style amusements.

Swim, sail or kayak in the calm waters off Southend’s beaches. The 7 miles (11 kilometres) of waterfront are the major attraction of the town, particularly during the peak of summer. Escape the crowds by heading to Chalkwell Beach to relax in peace and quiet.

Discover Britain’s fascinating military history at Tilbury Fort. This fort is one of the best preserved historic sites in the United kingdom.

In winter the weather turns wet and windy, providing dramatic views across the estuary and making the town’s many warm pubs even more enticing. Drop by the Southend High Street to find bars and clubs. Despite the town’s sleepy reputation, there are some great spots for dancing well into the night, especially on weekends. Stop by a waterfront restaurant or take-out store for locally caught fish with hand-cut hot chips for an authentic British seaside meal.

As the weather heats up Southend-on-Sea’s population swells with visitors and the resort becomes a playground for holiday makers. Walk the length of one of the world’s longest piers, sail the calm waters of the estuary or simply enjoy a cup of tea in the cosy village centre.

Southend-on-Sea is located approximately 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of London’s centre and can be reached by car in one hour. Trains depart frequently from London to Southend, while flights from many European cities arrive at the London Southend airport daily.  

Where to stay in Southend-on-Sea

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Thorpe Bay

Travellers like the beaches in Thorpe Bay, and Thorpe Bay Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Thorpe Bay
Holiday Inn Southend, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Southend, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
77 Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend-on-Sea, England
The price is ₹6,557 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹6,557
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Southend-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 coffee shops/cafes and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
convenient
"extremely pleasant staff"

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Southend, an IHG Hotel
Seven Hotel
Seven Hotel
4 out of 5
5-7 Clifton Terrace, Southend-on-Sea, England
The price is ₹8,993 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹8,993
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Southend-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, room service and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (781 reviews)
"It seemed a bit under staffed, but they were very helpful & resolved an issue that I had in a very courteous manner stayed here quite a few times & this standard has never slipped."

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2024

Seven Hotel
Park Inn by Radisson Palace Southend-on-Sea
Park Inn by Radisson Palace Southend-on-Sea
3 out of 5
Church Road, Southend-on-Sea, England
The price is ₹6,925 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹6,925
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Southend-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (999 reviews)
Key system broken
"It was really unfortunate to arrive at a time when the key system was down. Every time needed to leave my room (2nd floor) to the restaurant (1st floor) or gym (5th floor) and back to the restaurant, I needed to first go to reception (ground floor), to ask someone to come up stairs to let me back ..."

Reviewed on 10 Feb 2024

Park Inn by Radisson Palace Southend-on-Sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lower Bell
The Lower Bell
3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Aylesford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business centre and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and ...
7.6/10 Good! (114 reviews)
"Walk from your room straight in to the pub."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2024

The Lower Bell
Staycations Maldon Suites
Staycations Maldon Suites
4 out of 5
The Kings Head Centre, 38 High Street, Maldon, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Maldon. Enjoy on-site parking, a business centre and a terrace. Popular attractions Museum of Power and Mill Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"Such a beautiful property, Host was brilliant Will definitely book again"

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2023

Staycations Maldon Suites
Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
3 out of 5
Clacton-on-Sea, England
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Clacton-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Jaywick Martello Tower and Jaywick Sands are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Lovely clacton caravan
"The caravan was very clean on arrival. The host had left cleaning products for us. The beds were made and also extra bedding. Clean towels were available. The host called before we arrived to let us know she had left ice lollies for the children and some crisps. There was also things like ready meals, ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2023

Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Southend-on-Sea

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
59
" "5 - Excellent 33.9080459770115%
4 - Good
72
" "4 - Good 41.37931034482759%
3 - Okay
39
" "3 - Okay 22.413793103448278%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5747126436781609%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 1.7241379310344827%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Feb 2020

Nice

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Jan 2020

Born and bred so a wee bit biased!! Heehee! Thanks for a great stay at your gaff. First class indeed

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
19 Jan 2020

Due to the poor hotel it did not leave a great impression of the area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Nov 2019

Southend is great. Everyone should check it out

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
2 Nov 2019

Just want there as friends were getting married

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Oct 2019

lovely place, lovely hotel, lovely people, cant wait to return

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