Southend Pier - the town's landmark

A popular location, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure Pier in the world at 1.33 miles long. A train runs from the shore-end to Pier head (where RNLI lifeboat station and small café are located).The Pier has its very own train which takes visitors to the end of this Southend landmark and in peak season runs every 15 minutes. At Pier head there is the RNLI lifeboat station and gift shop and sun deck.

The Pier is council-owned and is one of the most requested (and film friendly!) locations, with everything from music videos to documentaries filmed here recently.

By prior request special arrangements may be made for the drop-off of large/heavy equipment but please note that due to the attractions busy nature train times cannot be disrupted for filming or commercial photo shoots.

Seafront/Beaches

Southend-on-Sea has 7 miles of glorious beaches, so whether you're looking for long stretches or popular secluded havens there is something for you here in Southend.

The 3 most popular beaches to film....
Three Shells beach
A small but sandy beach with climbing frames and a paddling pool for kids, three shells is popular with families and is centrally located with Adventure Island, the Pier, High Street and Amusement Arcades nearby.

Jubilee Beach
The sand and shingle beach enjoys the benefits of being by the amusement arcades on Marine Parade and is close to the seafront attractions, the Pier and the town centre - perfect if you are short of time and want a mix of town and shore.

Thorpe Bay beach
A mix of sand and shingle Thorpe Bay beach is popular with watersport fans and home to Southend Marine Activities Centre, Ocean Beach bistro with its sun deck as well as multi-coloured privately-owned beach huts which give this beach a traditional seaside feel.

At some sections of the seafront the public footpaths are significantly wider, enabling greater use of the outside space.

Adventure Island & Sealife-Adventure

Adventure Island
The UK's number 1 free admission fun park! Adventure Island has a vast selection of rides from big attractions like ‘The Rage' drop rollercoaster to the big wheel and a mini-golf course and go-karting track. Adventure Island is privately owned and so we advise all locations managers to contact and liaise with the park directly should you wish to film here.

Adventure Island is film friendly however film-makers should be considerate of park users whilst filming. The park can get very busy - especially during peak season - so we advise you contact the park at your earliest convenience. All film-makers should also ensure they have the necessary release forms when filming members of the public.

Sea-Life Adventue
A family attraction on Southend Seafront with more than 30 display tanks and tunnels to explore.

If you are interested in filming in Adventure Island or Sea-Life Adventure please call Gemma Warrilow on 01702 443410.

Pier Hill/Cliff Gardens

Pier Hill is an iconic landmark and the modern centrepiece of the glass Observation Tower provides stunning views over the estuary. Landscaped gardens and an open-air events area (Royal Square) make this location an excellent place to film in Southend-on-Sea. Pier Hill connects the seafront with the bustling High Street.

Royal Square, Pier Hill

An open-air event space with spectacular views over the estuary Royal Square connects the bustling High Street with the ever-popular seafront. This large open space has accommodated a range of film crews, including the Channel 4 programme "Embarrassing Bodies" where we located a HGV truck in order to provide a temporary "clinic" for passers-by.

Footfall to this area can be quite high with the busy Royals Shopping Centre and a large hotel adjacent to Royal Square and therefore is perfect if you want to interview members of the public.

The Tourism & Events team can also advise crews on power supply to this area.

Southchurch Hall - Medieval manor house

A half-timbered medieval manor house dating back to the early 14th century Southchurch Hall is now laid out in a series of period rooms, the great open hall reflecting life in the later middle ages. The solar wing displays life in Tudor and Stuart times, while the service wing is devoted to domestic life through several centuries. On the first floor is a Victorian bedroom.

The museum is used as an ideal setting for visitors to discovering what life was like in medieval, Tudor and Stuart and Victorian times but this could also be the perfect location if you are looking for period charm. On entering the Hall, set at the centre of a small park, it is difficult to remember that you are in the middle of large modern town. The grounds of the museum feature attractive gardens and ornamental ponds. 

Southend Central Museum

The Central Museum is situated in Victoria Avenue, and houses the main offices of the Museums Service, together with the Planetarium and principal artefact store. The magnificent Edwardian building boasts period features and has a large open fireplace, stone stairs, mosaic floor, glass roof and has been used recently as a location for a feature film for a heist scene.

Please note that as a working museum consideration has to be given to the days and times of filming (its open Tuesday to Saturday all year round 10:00am to 5:00pm).