Welcome to Southend-on-Sea

With seven glorious miles of seafront, the longest pleasure pier in the world and a host of exciting events and festivals all year, it's no wonder Southend-on-Sea leaves visitors smiling time after time.

Here you'll find all the traditional seaside pleasures as well as exhilarating watersports, theme park thrills, top shopping, thriving arts and culture, dazzling night-life and a feast of seafood. Choose from more than 300 great places to eat, and quality accommodation from luxury hotels to guest houses and bed & breakfast.

All just an hour's train ride from London, and easy to reach by rail, road or air.

Let the Visit Southend Official Tourist Information website help you to plan every aspect of your visit.

Upcoming Events

Balmoral Sails

Weds 21 Jul -Thurs 5 Aug
Enjoy a pleasure cruise on the historic passenger ship 'MV Balmoral.' Day and evening cruises are available including Tower Bridge, Twinkling Thames, Whitstable, River Medway, White Cliffs of Dover.

Dates & Information

Cricket Festival

Weds 4 - Sun 8 Aug
Enjoy top class cricket at the Southend Cricket Festival with exciting games between Essex and Warwickshire and Northants Steelbacks. Tickets available now in our Online Shop!

Book Tickets

Southend Carnival

Fri 14th - Sat 21st Aug
Bringing together a cavalcade of colour, lights and magnificent fireworks, there will be a whole host of Carnival events over a week, including Children's competition, Carnival Fair and illuminated carnival procession.

Saturday 28th Aug
A fantastic feast of all things Italian - Ferraris, Food & Fun! Including an Italian market offering authentic produce, a Super Car display of Ferraris, Lamborghinis & Maseratis and a host of food events, taste testing & cooking demonstrations.

Find out more

Polish Festival

Weds 8th - Sun 12th Sept
The five day Polish festival celebrates the very best of Polish culture and art, and the special relationship between Southend-on-Sea and Sopot, Southend's Polish twin town, on the Baltic Sea.

Find out more

Old Leigh Regatta

Sat 11th Sept
The annual weekend of fun and frivolity held in a traditional old fishing town atmosphere. The unique combination of sailing races and novelty water events, together with the unusual sights of cockle and banana eating contests.

More Information

Dine-on-Sea

Whether you're looking for a slice of café culture, the perfect romantic setting or simply somewhere to unwind with friends, we can help you find your perfect dining experience.

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Secrets-on-Sea

There's so much to discover you'll need to stay longer than you thought. Why not visit Old Leigh? With it's art galleries and trails, stunning views and restaurants there is something for everyone.

Southend's Historic Cliff Lift has recently reopened and retains many of it's original features from 1912. The iconic railway is an enjoyable way to travel between the Seafront and Clifftown area.

More details