Welcome to Southend!

Just treat our website like your own personal tour guide, just without the awkward small talk.

We've got all the info on the best things to do, see, and experience in our city. From rocking rollercoasters and soaking up the sun on the beach to partying it up at night, Southend's got you covered all year round. So, what are you waiting for?

What do you fancy?

Things to Do

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Featured Events

Southend boasts a year round schedule of fantastic events. From vibrant street art festivals, to historic open days, workshops and more.

Wildlife Weekend

30–31 May 2026

Prittlewell Priory

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Sausage and Cider Festival

20 Jun 2026

Priory Park

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Leigh Folk Festival

25–28 Jun 2026

Leigh Library Gardens

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Proms at the Vulcan

4 Jul 2026

London Southend Airport

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Browse all Events

Things to Do

Whether you fancy riding rollercoasters, or stepping back in time at one of our historic houses, we've got you covered.

Southend Pier

Attraction

Central Southend

Take a stroll (or train ride) down the longest pleasure pier in the world for an experience like no other.

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Southchurch Hall

Historic House

Southchurch

Explore Southchurch Hall, one of Southend's unique and entertaining places to visit.

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Central Museum

Museum

Central Southend

Step inside Central Museum to discover fascinating local history and rare collections.

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Adventure Island

Theme Park

Central Southend

Enjoy a fantastic day out at Adventure Island, the UK's number 1 free admission fun park.

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Prittlewell Priory

Historic House

Prittlewell

Explore Prittlewell Priory, one of Southend's unique and entertaining places to visit.

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Beecroft Gallery

Art Gallery

Central Southend

Beecroft Art Gallery showcases inspiring exhibitions from local and national artists.

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Sealife Adventure

Aquarium

Central Southend

Sealife Adventure offers exciting activities and attractions for families and thrill seekers.

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Focal Point Gallery

Art Gallery

Central Southend

Focal Point Gallery showcases inspiring exhibitions from local and national artists.

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Browse all Things to Do

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When to Visit

Southend is a year-round city by the sea, with great things to see and do in every season.

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Plan your Visit

Get the most out of your next visit with essential tips and visitor information.

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Contact Us

Got questions? Then get in touch with our team and we'll be happy to help.

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Southend Blog

12 December 2025

7 reasons to visit Southend this festive season

Get Social

@VisitSouthend #VisitSouthend

What does your Southend look like? Discover a snapshot of Southend through the photos below and share your moments using #VisitSouthend on Instagram.

🎢🌟 THRILL SEEKERS 🌟🧗

Thrill seekers, this half term is for you! 🙌 Scream your way through @adventureisland.uk, swing into competitive fun at @caddiesgolf, then crank up the energy at @indirock_ 💪

Choose your own Southend adventure and chase the thrills. Plan your half term visit here 👉 www.visitsouthend.co.uk

@southendcityc @visitessex #chooseyourownadventure #visitsouthend

HEATWAVE IN SOUTHEND 🔥🌞

It's a bank holiday weekend and it looks like summer arrived in style! 😎

☀️ Don’t forget, it's going to be hot! Slap on your sun cream, stay hydrated, keep cool, follow safety advice and treat yourself to an ice cream (or two 😉)

Plan your visit with our Summer Guide 👇
www.visitsouthend.co.uk/summer

#visitsouthend #southendonsea #

🖼️ 🏛️ CURIOUS MINDS 🏛️ 🦈

Half term is the perfect time to feed your curiosity! Explore the rich history of our city at @southendmuseums, uncover hidden treasures at @southendpiermuseum, wander through Southend’s inspiring galleries, then switch gears with hands on fun at @sealifeadventure.

This half term, choose your own Southend adventure and see where your curiosity leads. Plan your visit here 👉 www.visitsouthend.co.uk

@southendcityc @visitessex @beecroftartgallery @focalpointgallery #chooseyourownadventure #visitsouthend

🎢🎡 PLAN YOUR VISIT 🎡🎢

Super news @adventureisland.uk will be open every day over the May half term! 🎉

Prepare for an action‑packed half term bursting with excitement and adventure 🙌 A brilliant day out for the whole family!

📆 Open every day Saturday 23 May - Sunday 31 May
✅ Then every weekend
⏲ Open from 11am
👉 www.visitsouthend.co.uk/adventure-island

🌳 💚 THE WILD ONES 💚 🌳

Wild ones, this half term is yours! From windswept coastal paths to wide open parks perfect for exploring, Southend is calling. Pack your curiosity, chase the fresh air and discover must see green spaces in our city. 🦆🌸🌼

This half term, choose your own Southend adventure and let nature lead the way. Plan your visit here 👉 www.visitsouthend.co.uk

@southendcityc @visitessex @essexwildlifetrust @cartandwagonshed @southendparksdept @southendmuseums

🏖️💛 SEASIDE LOVERS 💛🏖️

Half term is calling… and Southend is ready for you! From sunny strolls along @southendpier to fish and chips with a sea breeze soundtrack, every moment feels like a mini escape. Add in a nostalgic stop at the seafront arcades, and don’t forget that tasty ice-cream treat… or two! 🍦 🍨

This half term, choose your own Southend adventure and make it unforgettable. Plan your visit here 👉 www.visitsouthend.co.uk

@southendcityc @visitessex #chooseyourownadventure #visitsouthend

GREAT NEWS 🙌

The much-loved motoring event Classic Cars on the Beach is set to return to Southend’s City Beach, bringing heritage, horsepower and nostalgia back to the seafront for 2026.
Hosted by @southendcityc in partnership with the Southend & District Classic Car Club, the event will showcase a stunning line-up of classic vehicles over 25 years old, parked along City Beach and open for residents and visitors to enjoy.

📅 Sunday 31 May | 9am -4pm
👉www.visitsouthend.co.uk/classic-cars-on-the-beach

#southend #visitsouthend #classiccar #citybeach

Don't forget to support local lad @sonnygreenuk tomorrow evening in the semifinals of Britian's got Talent on ITV at 6pm 💪

Check out this throwback from Southend City Day with Sonny's spoken word piece especially curated for the event. ✨✨

When was the last time you visited @southendmuseums Prittlewell Priory? 👀👀
Open Weds - Sun, 11am - 5pm, the priory is a stunning historic building with loads of Southend history facts to uncover. 🔎 #southendonsea #southendhistory #visitsouthend

@southendpier has got a new topper! DJ Gully is getting ready to celebrate the return of On the Decks 🎉🎉
#southendpier #visitsouthend #postboxtopper

🌊 OPEN DAY 🌊

The RNLI Southend Lifeboat open day is coming very soon! 🚤

👋 Meet the crew, say hello to Stormy Stan and learn all about the Southend RNLI
🚤 Lifeboat demonstrations at 12.30pm and 3pm (operations dependent)
📅 Monday 4 May | 11.30am - 4pm
📌 Inshore boathouse - Behind Adventure Inside Play Centre
👉 visitsouthend.co.uk/southend-rnli-open-day

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Welcome to Southend!

​Just treat our website like your own personal tour guide, just without the awkward small talk. ​

What do you fancy?

Things to Do

Get Inspired...

Featured Events

Wildlife Weekend

Sausage and Cider Festival

Leigh Folk Festival

Proms at the Vulcan

Things to Do

Southend Pier

Southchurch Hall

Central Museum

Adventure Island

Prittlewell Priory

Beecroft Gallery

Sealife Adventure

Focal Point Gallery

Join Our Mailing List

When to Visit

Plan your Visit

Contact Us

Southend Blog

7 reasons to visit Southend this festive season

Get Social

@VisitSouthend #VisitSouthend

​

Just treat our website like your own personal tour guide, just without the awkward small talk.