Hey there, fellow adventurers! Let me whisk you away on a delightful day trip to the resort town of Southend-on-Sea located on the Thames Estuary in Essex, England. Perhaps not an obvious or alluring tourist destinations, but let’s ditch stereotypes today. Strap in, because we’re in for a whirlwind of beach strolls, castle ruins, and even a jaunt along the longest pleasure pier in the world!

What is the sea in Southend-on-Sea?

Southend-on-Sea is located on the Thames Estuary. It’s where the river Thames meets the North Sea. Technically, it’s not exactly a seaside town – more like a riverside town perhaps. You can see the land on the other side of the river on the horizon, but it’s far, far away. I’m going to refer to it as “seaside” and “sea” in this post, because that’s what it feels like, and the town has “sea” in its name after all. The pebbled beach and strong tides are just like the ones on an actual English coast.

How to get to Southend-on-Sea from London

I hopped aboard a Greater Anglia train from London Stratford to Southend-on-Sea. With tickets priced reasonably (way cheaper than southeastern trains going into Kent!) and the journey clocking in at under an hour, you’ll be seaside-bound before you know it. Alternatively, c2c trains run between London and Southend-on-Sea as well.

What to do in Southend-on-Sea

Sealife Adventure

Once I’ve arrived, I headed to Sealife Adventure – a delightful blend of zoo and aquarium magic, located on the beach in the town centre. Whilst it seemed small from the outside, it was a positive surprise inside! From fish tanks to penguins and meerkats, this place has it all. But the real showstopper? The butterfly house, where free-flying butterflies flutter about in a whimsical dance. I spent quite a while walking amongst the butterflies, trying to spot the largest and most beautiful ones.

If you’d like to visit Sealife Adventure in Southend-on-Sea, check the opening times and ticket prices on their website: https://sealifeadventure.co.uk/.

A word of warning in case you’re not familiar with British seaside: beware the wrath of the tides! I always forget that sea levels in England can fluctuate wildly throughout the day. One moment you’re frolicking by the shore, the next you’re marooned on a dry beach. Keep an eye on those tides, folks. When I left Sealife Adventure, the sea was gone!

Hadleigh Castle Ruins

After leaving Sealife Adventure, I ventured onwards to the haunting ruins of Hadleigh Castle. It was a long westbound walk (around 90 minutes), which took me through a few of the neighbouring towns. I walked past Southend’s West Cliff Lift, an old funicular functional to this day! Those charming lifts are quite common in English seaside towns and they always amaze me.

While the journey may not be all sunshine and rainbows (some areas felt downright post-apocalyptic), the castle ruins themselves offer a glimpse into history amidst a scenic green landscape. The castle ruins are… well, ruins, with just a few walls left. They are located on top of a small hill, but unfortunately you can’t see the sea from there. However, it seems like a beautiful place for a little hike if you have more time to spare. I didn’t, so headed back to Southend-on-Sea.

Visit Southend Central Museum and Planetarium

Once I got back to Southend-on-Sea, I dove into local history at the Southend Central Museum and Planetarium. It’s a neat little spot to brush up on the town’s heritage while taking a break from the outdoor adventures. You can check the opening times on the museum’s website: https://www.southendmuseums.co.uk/central-museum.

Long walk on the Southend Pier

One of my favourite things to do in Southend-on-Sea was a leisurely stroll along the iconic Southend Pier – the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching a whopping 1.33 miles! If you’re not up for the full trek, fear not – shuttle trains offer a convenient way to hop on and off at your leisure. Just be sure to budget for a small entrance fee, even if you opt to hoof it on foot. You can check the Southend Pier’s opening times and entrance fees on its website: https://www.southendpier.co.uk/.

Seaside Views in Southend-on-Sea

As the day winds down, take a moment to soak in the stunning views of the seafront from the elevated town of Southend. Then, bid farewell to the beach with one last leisurely stroll before hopping back on the train to London.

Happy exploring!

And there you have it, folks – a day filled with seaside wonders and hidden gems aplenty in the charming town of Southend-on-Sea. If you’ve never even considered visiting Southend-on-Sea, hopefully I managed to sprout a seed! It’s an unusual tourist destination for sure, but there’s certainly enough to do to fill the day! Let me know if you’ve ever been to Southend-on-Sea. And for now – until next time. Happy exploring!

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