UK seaside city with huge 1.3-mile pier ranked the best in the entire country
Southend boasts the longest pleasure pier on the planet, which also holds the world record for having the longest railway on a public pier, according to the Guinness Book of Records
Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant waterfront destination on the Essex coast boasting a world-famous pier that was recently voted the best in Britain in a study carried out by the Telegraph.
Located in the gaping mouth of the Thames Estuary, Southend isn't technically a seaside destination, but undoubtedly offers the full British seafront experience and atmosphere, complete with a bustling promenade, Blue Flag Award -winning beach — guaranteeing clean, safe and beautiful surroundings — and a lively city centre.
Its easy access from London makes it a popular getaway for families, couples and day-trippers alike. Beyond the beach, Southend boasts a variety of attractions, from amusement arcades and adventure parks to historic hotels and cultural venues.
But above all, it is the pier that defines Southend's identity and draws visitors from around the globe. Opened in 1830 and rebuilt in iron in 1889, Southend Pier is not just the longest pier in the UK, it's the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching an astonishing 1.33 miles (2.14 km) into the Thames Estuary.
As poet Sir John Betjeman famously put it: 'The Pier is Southend; Southend is the Pier.'
The pier is so long that it has its own railway — the first built on a pier in the UK — offering a charming and practical way to reach its head. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it holds the world record for the longest railway on a public pier.
At the pier's end, the striking Royal Pavilion hosts live performances, exhibitions and community events. Visitors can enjoy refreshments in quirky beach huts or at the café, all the while taking in panoramic estuary views. For those interested in history, the Pier Museum offers fascinating exhibits on its construction, railway and role in local life.
There's a fairground featuring a ferris wheel, wacky walk of mirrors and crazy golf course, meaning there's a wide range of entertainment for people of all ages. Anglers will find the pier a hotspot for fishing, with flounder, bass and mackerel among the common catches.
Southend Pier has twice been named Pier of the Year by the National Piers Society, first in 2007 and then in 2023. Recent investments include new eco-friendly trains, upgraded facilities and creative use of historic train carriages as seating, all contributing to record visitor numbers and glowing reviews.
In short, Southend Pier offers an experience you simply cannot find anywhere else in the world, never mind the country.
Whether you're walking further out into the water than you can anyplace else on the planet, riding on the iconic train, enjoying a show at the Royal Pavilion, or just soaking up the sea air, Southend Pier is without doubt the definitive British pier.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Lenham the charming Kent village just an hour from London
Lenham is a small market village in the Maidstone district on the edge of the North Downs and is surrounded by scenic views. Lenham is just an hour and 10-minute train journey from the capital with direct trains from London Bridge. You can also easily drive to the village, which takes on average around an hour and a half. The Lenham Cross is a chalk cross carved into the hillside. (Image: Getty Images) Why you should visit the Kent village of Lenham The Kent village is the perfect place to visit, whether you fancy a break from London and want an easy weekend or fancy a weekend of long walks. If you're a keen walker, the North Downs Way 9 from Lenham to Wye is the perfect route to follow. The 9.3-mile walk goes through the famous hillside with a chalk cross cut into it and the Grade II-listed World War I memorial. The walk takes you through the scenic Weald before moving towards the Westwell Vineyard and the outskirts of the village of Westwell. You can find out more about the walk via Explore Kent. Away from walks, Lenham offers plenty to enjoy with highly-rated pubs and restaurants, including The Bow Window Cafe and The Wishful Thinker. On the online review website TripAdvisor, The Bow Window Cafe has a 4.5/5 rating and is described as being "super cute and a lovely space". Recommended Reading Lenham is also home to the popular Chilston Park Hotel, a four-star boutique accommodation set in a Grade I listed castle. The hotel has 22 acres of parkland and a two AA rosette restaurant, and describes itself as being a "classic British country house hotel with plenty of style and charm." One recent guest at the hotel said: "Beautiful hotel surrounded by English countryside."
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
EasyJet rules for visiting major holiday hotspots in Europe this summer
easyJet states that post-Brexit, Brits travelling to the EU will need to ensure their travel documents meet certain requirements - specifically when it comes to their passport's validity If you are one of the many sun-seeking Brits preparing for a European holiday, there are some rules that you should know. easyJet has shared its guidance for those travelling to certain countries in the EU to ensure all passengers have a smooth flight. Under the ' travel documents and information' section of its website, easyJet states that passengers 'need to have some form of identification on both domestic and international flights'. Below are the specific guidelines for travel to Spain, Portugal, Greece and France. Spain Under post-Brexit regulations, easyJet confirms UK passport holders travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland need to meet certain passport criteria. UK passport holders travelling to Spain must have a passport that is valid for 'at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries'. Additionally, passports 'must be no more than 10 years' old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries'. According to the UK government's latest guidance, those with a full British citizen passport from the UK can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Portugal easyJet passengers flying to Portugal are also reminded that entry is permitted for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. Portugal follows Schengen area rules as well, meaning your passport's validity must fall within the prescribed 10-year and three-month rules. Your passport must have a 'date of issue' less than 10 years before the date you arrive and have an 'expiry date' at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue). easyJet also states that extra documents are required for children entering or leaving Portugal without a parent or guardian. According to the airline: 'Children aged 17 and under, must carry written authorization to be able to travel to and from Portugal if they are travelling without their parent or legal guardian.' easyJet's guidance continues: 'The letter must include the details of the adult who will be responsible for them during their stay in Portugal. For full information about the requirements please see the web pages of the Government of Portugal and the Government of the United Kingdom . Greece Given that Greece is also part of the Schengen area, easyJet passengers that are UK passport holders are subject to the same passport and visa regulations as those travelling to Spain and Portugal. Meaning that those with a full British passport will also be able to travel without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Additionally, the UK government website advises that even if you are visiting multiple countries 'your total stay in the Schengen area must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. 'It does not matter how many countries you visit. The 180-day period keeps 'rolling',' the website confirms. Additionally, if you are considering adding on a trip to Cyprus on your Greece journey, remember that Cyprus is not in the Schengen area. That said, the UK government confirms that British passport holders can stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Cyprus without a visa. More importantly, any time you spend in the Schengen area does not affect the number of days you can spend in Cyprus. France France, also being part of the Schengen region, does not require British passport holders to travel with a visa for stays under 90 days. Non-EU passport holders travelling to the Schengen area are once again obliged to ensure that their passport is valid for at least three months from the date of their departure from the Schengen member country, according to the UK government website. Though this requirement does not apply to holders of a Schengen issued residence permit or long-term visas.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited 24,000 boozers on 40 year pub crawl - these are my favourites'
Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK in a 40 year pub crawl quest to visit every CAMRA guide pub Real ale fan Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK. He celebrated his 69th birthday in the Elephant & Castle, at the Black Country Living Museum, in Dudley, as he continued his quest to visit every pub in the CAMRA guide. He has enjoyed a pint in every corner of the UK along with his drinking crew – the Black Country Ale Tairsters – and has even had a pint in pubs on 69 islands around the UK. The retired engineer has travelled over 400,000 miles since he started in 1984 and logs every pub he has visited at his West Bromwich home. He said: 'Every pub is logged, since number one, and I have over 300 lever arch files with photos, cards and a write up of the pubs. I leave a calling card which I have signed by a pub team member to prove I have been in.' In every pub he visits Peter asks the landlord to make a £1 donation to the Midland Air Ambulance and has so far raised over £35,000. He said: 'Some give a quid, some give a tenner, some £20 and some give nowt. But it's a great charity.' Peter started his journey when he and his pals started visiting pubs listed on a map handed out by Wolverhampton based Banks brewery. After visiting 300 pubs in a year they decided to continue. He said: 'It's taken me 41 years but I've now visited 24,000 pubs, but there are still hundreds more to go. We all love our real ale, but we don't overdo it, 'We have visited every single island with a pub around the British Isles, 69 of them. We've been to the Shetlands, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey. It's been a great adventure. I'm going to North Yorkshire next weekend for four days and then Essex after that, so we'll chalk up a few more on the list. Sometimes I'm on my own, but mostly it's a really good crew I travel with. It's brilliant fun. 'We've travelled across Europe too, to the military sites, the Somme, the Maginot line, the British war graves. We learn about the history and we visit the local pubs too, but they don't count on the list. One of the greatest people we found was a guy from World War 2 who used to look after the SAS war graves in France, He was 92 when we met him.' Peter added: 'I love unusual pubs, pubs with something that makes them stand out. Pubs full of character and antiques. We love our real ales but we also try the stouts and milds.' Peter also backed The Mirror 's Save Our Pubs campaign - which calls for a "fighting fund" to help struggling pubs, recognising good pubs are the heart of the community. The campaign is crucial because pub closures have a significant impact on communities, leading to job losses and the loss of important social spaces. More than 400 pubs closed for good in England and Wales last year meaning the number of locals has dropped below 39,000 for the first time. Peter said: 'The local pub is vital in so many areas. You can meet for a chat and a laugh. But the prices are ridiculous now. You can pay £7 for a pint. 'There's the business costs, the taxes, the minimum wage doesn't help. Landlords have to cover the costs and it's a shame so many are closing. The government does need to do more to help.' Peter's top five pubs: Yew Tree Inn, Caulden Staffs: 'You've got to see it to believe it. It's fantastic, full of antiques.' The Mug House, Claines, Worcester: 'A cracking old pub next to a church yard.' The Black Lion, Consall Forge, North Staffs: 'Amazing scenery, next to an old steam railway and canal. It was hard to find, but it's easy now with Sat Nav.' The Rising Sun, Tipton: 'My local, I can't leave that out.' Payton Arms, Stoke Lyne, Oxfordshire: 'A fantastic, unique place. If you like character and cobwebs, this is the one.'
