Pictures of Southend-on-Sea

in the county of Essex

Take a picture tour of Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea Pictures Southend-on-Sea Hotels Submit a history of Southend-on-Sea Southend-on-Sea Attractions Nearby Towns Submit Pictures Southend-on-Sea Map Add to favourites

About Southend-on-Sea

This major Essex resort first became popular at the beginning of the 19th century, in the Victorian period it grew rapidly and ever since it has been a favourite place for Londoner's looking for a relaxing day out, or a holiday.

Southend-on-Sea is mostly known for its long pier and large amusement park - Adventure Island, which has rides to suit all tastes and all ages. It is further known for its colourful sea front where you can buy a dish of whelks, cockles and mussel's, or fish n' chips. Here too, there are amusement arcades, cafe's, pubs and shops with bucket's and spades as well as souvenirs.

At the centre of the town there is a wide "pedestrians only" shopping complex, along here older buildings rub shoulders with new, all displaying a range of tempting merchandise.

Interestingly the town has had many notable visitors, Admiral Lord Nelson is believed to have stayed in Southend's Royal Terrace which now is mostly full of hotels and guest houses, but which obviously was once rather grand.

Keen fishermen can enjoy themselves throwing a rod from the pier, or for something more adventurous why not try a charter boat which takes anglers out into the Thames estuary.

After a day spent in the sea, or wandering the amusement park, there can be nothing nicer than to enjoy a gentle stroll in the town's lovely gardens, or sit beside the shore watching sea traffic and the distant sun setting beyond the waves.

This is a resort town that has something for everyone, it is ideal for children, a real summer place for fun and frivolity.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Island	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)	Pictures
Mr. B's Amusements, Southend-on-Sea	(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
Kid's Kingdom, Southend-on-Sea	(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Hadleigh Castle	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Marsh Farm Country Park	(7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Hyde Hall RHS Garden	(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Zoo, Basildon	(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Isle of Sheppey	(11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
One Tree Hill Country Park	(11.8 miles, 18.9 km, direction W)	Pictures
Upnor Castle	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Westley Heights Country Park	(12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction W)	Pictures
Historic Dockyard, Chatham	(12.9 miles, 20.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Norsey Wood Country Park	(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Guildhall Museum	(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Danbury Park Country Park	(13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Southend-on-Sea
All attractions in Essex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Southend-on-Sea

Westcliff-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (0.7 miles, 1.2 km)
The coast along this stretch of Essex beaches may be somewhat urbanised, but it remains full of surprises with reminders of the times when smugglers would stealthily enter the creeks between the mudflats to distribute their illicit cargoes at local inns.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leigh-on-Sea, in the county of Essex (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction W)
At Leigh, visitors will find a small sandy beach and a narrow High Street containing lovely old fishermen's cottages. The resort is situated close to Leigh Marsh Nature Reserve and Two Tree Island, a lonely expanse of windswept grass and saltings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Shoeburyness, in the county of Essex (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction E)
Shoeburyness lies to the eastern end of Southend beyond Thorpe Bay.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Canvey Island, in the county of Essex (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction W)
With a pleasant coast, intriguing creeks to explore and views across the Thames estuary to Allhallows and beyond, it is not surprising that Canvey Island is a popular tourist destination.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sheerness, in the county of Kent (7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction S)
This is the port to which Nelson's body was brought home following his untimely death after his glorious victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burnham-on-Crouch, in the county of Essex (7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction NE)
Burnham-on-Crouch, a small town on the north bank of the River Crouch as it winds its way towards Foulness Point and the North Sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upchurch, in the county of Kent (11.8 miles, 18.9 km, direction S)
This is an historic, interesting village which was once home to Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis, who became vicar of the local church in 1560.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Maldon, in the county of Essex (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction N)
A fine old town, beautifully set on a ridge above the Blackwater, with views across Northey Island and Osea Island.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Danbury, in the county of Essex (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction NW)
Picturesque English village of great charm. Surrounded almost entirely by open countryside Danbury has immense appeal for the tourist.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Leysdown-on-Sea, in the county of Kent (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction SE)
This is a busy Kentish coastal holiday resort which has sandy beaches and safe shallow waters, thus the beach is ideal for sunbathing and to swim from.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Higham, in the county of Kent (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction SW)
An interesting village situated between Gravesend and Rochester in Kent, with links to the author Charles Dickens, the notorious...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tollesbury, in the county of Essex (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction N)
This large sea-faring village sits attractively off a tidal creek where the waters of the Blackwater River enter the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lynsted, in the county of Kent (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction S)
A charming, restful place in what is known as cherry-orchard country, and although the cherries are still here, arable farming has taken over much of the land.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Gravesend, in the county of Kent (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction SW)
Attractive old town overlooking the Thames estuary with walkways and picnic sites ideal for watching the busy water traffic, for this stretch of the river is said to be one of the busiest in the world.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Faversham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent (17.3 miles, 27.9 km, direction SE)
There is record of settlements in the area in pre-historic times, it is known that the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons both established villages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Essex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Southend Victoria Station	(0.3 miles, 0.4 km)
Southend Central Station	(0.4 miles, 0.6 km)
M2 Junction 5	(14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction S)
M2 Junction 4	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction S)
London City Airport	(28.3 miles, 45.5 km, direction W)
London Stansted Airport	(31.1 miles, 50.0 km, direction NW)
Southend-on-Sea to London	(36.2 miles, 58.3 km, direction W)

Hotels & Accommodation in Southend-on-Sea

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Southend-on-Sea center
The Gleneagles Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Ilfracombe House Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Tower Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
The Westcliff Hotel	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
The Balmoral Hotel	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Camelia Hotel	(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction SE)
Essex County Hotel	(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction NW)
The Oakland Hotel	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)
Basildon (Festival Park) Premier Travel Inn	(11.2 miles, 17.9 km, direction W)
Holiday Inn Basildon	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction W)
All hotels in Southend-on-Sea