LOCAL AREA

With seven miles of seafront, it's hardly surprising that there's a fantastic choice of beaches in Southend-on-Sea. What's more, with three Blue Flags and seven Quality Coast Awards, this is one of the cleanest stretches of seaside in the UK.Build sandcastles with the kids at Leigh on Sea beach or Three Shells Beach at the heart of the seafront, or take your bucket and spade to the quieter sands of Chalkwell Beach or Jubilee Beach.

If you walk along Southend-on-Sea's High Street, towards the sea, your eye will be drawn in a straight line towards the longest pleasure Pier in the world. Standing for over a century it extends 2.158 metres (1.341 miles) into the Thames Estuary, and is a well loved and recognised symbol of Southend and the pleasures of the English seaside.

The pier at Southend is the town's most famous landmark featured in books, films and television including Jamie Oliver's Show, Jamie & Jimmy's Friday Night Feast. Towards the end of the twentieth century, some predicted the end of this seaside attraction but others were determined it should not die. Local pier enthusiasts and the supportive general public fought hard to keep the longest pleasure pier in the world and maintain Southend's top billing for this unique attraction.

Adventure Island on Southend seafront is the perfect day out for all the family, and being a free admission attraction this means you only pay if you want to play. With over 60 rides and attractions, there’s something for everybody to enjoy… Scream through the loops and twists of Rage – with its 75ft drop and 360 degree barrel roll it’s the only ride of its kind in England, and was voted the most thrilling rollercoaster in the UK by BBC1’s Blue Peter.

Throughout the themed Aquarium you will come face to face with many marine creatures that you would find locally in the Thames Estuary, such as Rays, Crabs, Starfish and many more. We also have a vast tropical section with an array of creatures from more exotic waters such as Lionfish, Porcupine Puffer fish and a very famous Clown fish, as well as our Tropical Sharks exhibit! Penguins and even monkeys can also be seen at Sea Life Adventure.

The Lawn Wedding Venue is located 3 miles away from the hotel and offers special rates for their wedding guests at our hotel as they are a non accommodation wedding venue. Call now to find out more about The Lawn wedding groups at the Holiday Inn Southend.