Sealife Adventure is of course one of the most popular attractions here in Southend on Sea – but there are so many other things to see and do in the local area, it would be a crime to come and visit without checking out everything else that’s on offer!
Whether here for a few hours or you’re banking on a longer stay, we’ve put together plenty of ideas to help you make the most of your time at our stunning seaside resort.
A few fun facts about Southend on Sea
Nestled on the northern side of the Thames Estuary, Southend on Sea is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the whole of the UK.
Southend itself is framed by more than seven miles of sandy coastline, including the Blue Flag award-winning Three Shells beach.
About 6.4 million people grace our shores every single year – and many of them can’t wait to try our famously scrummy fish and chips!
Southend is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world. Stretching 1.33 miles (2.14km) into the sea, this impressive structure even needs its own railway line!
Tonnes of movies and TV programmes have been shot in and around Southend, including EastEnders, Essex Boys, and even some of the James Bond franchise.
Southend is such a prominent tourist attraction that we even have our own airport, which operates dozens of routes to locations in Europe.
One thing’s for sure – you’ll never be bored when you visit the Essex coastline!
Things to do in Southend for adults
For top notch food and drinks in a more picturesque environment, head just outside of Southend to Old Leigh. This working harbour houses a lovely little collection of pubs and restaurants, and it feels a million miles away from all the hustle and bustle of Southend seafront.
Fancy taking in a show? The Palace Theatre runs plenty of performances throughout the year, as does the grandiose Cliffs Pavilion.
Those of you who love a flutter should certainly check out Southend’s gambling circuit. There are several casinos here, including the upmarket Rendezvous, which you’ll find at the back of the iconic Kursaal building.
And anyone in search of quality wines, craft beers, delicious cocktails and world-class entertainment won’t need to go far to find something that floats their boat. There are countless pubs and bars scattered along the seafront and further into the town centre; some of the most highly rated include The Oakleigh and The Belfair Bar. Music lovers will simply have to pay famous club Chinnerys a visit, too!
Things to do in Southend for kids
We don’t want to blow our own trumpet – but Sealife Adventure is by far one of the most accessible and family-friendly attractions in the whole of the town. No trip to Southend on Sea is complete without a wander around our impressive aquarium and its jaw-dropping exhibitions and fascinating enclosures.
Elsewhere, Adventure Island is a huge draw for fun-seeking visitors of all ages. Packed full of rides, attractions and amusement arcades, this sprawling pleasure park is free to enter, and you can stay for as long as you like. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants, cafes and take-outs onsite and along the promenade to cater for even the fussiest eaters. In fact, many of them belong to Stockvale Group, the company that owns our centre!
No visit to Southend would be complete without a walk along our world-famous pier. It’s well over a mile long, so if you decide to walk it, you’ll get a great chance to stretch your legs and take in some sea air – but if you’d rather save your energy, you can always hop on the dedicated train, which runs to and from each end of the pier every half an hour.
START YOUR ADVENTURE NOW
Bag yourself entry to Southend’s biggest and best aquarium today! We offer exclusive discounts when you purchase tickets online – and if you’d like to leave your options open for later in the year, you can pick up an Annual Pass, which allows you unlimited visits for 12 months from the first time you come and see us.
