Things to do in Southend-on-Sea
Seaside towns don’t get more famous than Southend-on-Sea. The resort town has been allowing Londoners to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city for decades and became a city in 2022.
At just over an hour, Southend is a fairly meaty drive from our park at Orchards, but such are the qualities of this Essex gem, we think it’s well worth the travel time to see a different side of the county by the sea. We’ve come up with a definitive list of days out in Southend, with abundance of things to do that add extra entertainment to any holiday with us.
1. Southend Pier and its railway
The longest pleasure pier in the world was a sure-fire inclusion on the list of things to do in Southend. Stretching for over 1.3 miles, it comes up in many a pub quiz and really helps distinguish Southend from similar places by the sea. The pier is so long that a handy train runs from its start to finish, taking you from the heart of the town all the way out to the middle of Thames Estuary in minutes.
Many choose to stretch their legs for one leg of the journey and get the train back into town. There are brilliant vantage points along the pier, and a range of refreshment stands to tempt you too. All in all, this attraction is a must for any day out in Southend.
2. Adventure Island
Adventure Island is one of Southend’s premier attractions. The fun-filled theme park is one of the best by the coast in the whole UK, with a whole host of rides suitable for all ages. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a bit queasy when it comes to the bigger rides, you’ll find something to your taste here. Entry to the park is free so you only pay when you jump on a ride, simply buy a wristband for access once something takes your eye. You can go on together for the price of one person when you’re bringing a little one too, adding to Adventure Island’s reputation as one of the best value days out in Southend.
3. Sealife Adventure
Southend’s Sealife Adventure can lay claim to being the south east’s best aqua attraction. Home to over 40 displays of marine life, the aquarium represents all oceans on earth and unlocks endless knowledge on what is one of the world’s most undiscovered areas.
There is a specific area for rescued tortoises that you must check out, and the kids will love the clownfish enclosure that draws comparisons to the popular film Finding Nemo. You’ll leave this family-friendly venue educated and inspired, and with family tickets available it’s a great value option for your next day out in Southend.
4. The amusements
No trip to Southend would be complete without a visit or two to the town’s abundance of amusements. A walk along Marine Parade in the heart of the town is the best way to sample as much as possible. Places like Funland and Star Amusements are home to everything from soft toy machines to classic arcade games.
Pick up some fish and chips along the way, sample the fresh sea air and treat yourself and the family to what’s a must-do part of a classic day out by the sea.
5. Southend Cliff Lift
Southend is fairly hilly at its seafront, with the pier actually towering over the town’s promenade straight into the city centre. In recent years, lifts have been put in to get people up into the town a lot easier, but a ride on the Southend Cliff Lift gives you a ride up as well as a snapshot into Southend’s history.
Opened in 1912, the site lays claim to being Britain’s shortest funicular railway and its smallest single-track funicular. You can take a ride on this piece of history from 10am-3pm and fares remain more than reasonable so as far as things to do in Southend goes, this is a brilliant value option for all the family.
6. Southend Central Museum
Southend Central Museum has been a bastion of local history since it swung open its doors to visitors in 1981. Housed in a Grade II listed building, the museum hosts a range of collections including the remnants of archaeological ruins from nearby Prittlewell.
There are artefacts galore in this hidden Essex gem and an interesting new ‘Wunderkammer’ exhibition. Educational for the kids and informative for history buffs, the museum is one of the best things to do in Southend.
7. Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre
A trip to Cliffs Pavilion or the Palace Theatre is a great way to round off a day out in Southend. These are two slightly different but equally brilliant venues with a range of shows throughout the year for all the family.
Touring shows, comedians and live bands are just some of the genres hosted within the walls of these Southend cultural hubs, and you can check a full listing of what’s coming up on their respective websites.
8. Old Leigh, Leigh-on-Sea
Leigh-on-Sea is a lovely town only a few miles west of Southend. Leigh very much continues the maritime feel of its bigger neighbour, with boats moored out in the estuary as you pass through Old Leigh. Old Leigh itself is an area of immense beauty, topped off with picturesque pubs and restaurants with a lovely walking route back towards Southend.
This is the oldest part of the affluent town, dating back to the Middle Ages. Places like Old Leigh Studios Gallery and Leigh Heritage Centre and Museum touch on this intriguing past, so they’re well worth a visit when you’re down here.
How to get to Southend-on-Sea from us
Southend-on-Sea isn’t exactly round the corner from us at Orchards, but it’s well worth the hour or so journey to sample a different side of Essex by the sea. Here’s how to get to Southend:
Head to the A120 via St Osyth, Great Bentley and Elmstead
Drive west on the A12 towards Chelmsford
Turn off onto A130, joining the A127
Follow signs for Southend seafront
Start planning your Great British break
Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.