Explore Southend-on-Sea
Known for
The Pier (the longest pier in the world at 1.33 miles), Peter Pan's Playground, the Kursaal, and an Essex city of traditional British seaside character with the longest pier on earth
A little history
Southend Pier — 1.33 miles long — is the longest pier in the world, built between 1830 and 1889. The electric railway running the length of the pier was the world's first pier railway. The Kursaal, opened in 1894, was one of the world's first amusement parks. Southend became a city in 2022.
Walking the pier is genuinely extraordinary — 1.33 miles of wooden planks into the Thames Estuary. The Adventure Island for families. The Old Town for excellent independent food. The Kursaal for history.
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Food & drink in Southend-on-Sea
Southend has excellent independent food — the Old Town and Leigh-on-Sea are outstanding. Local Thames Estuary seafood is excellent.
Restaurants & cafes
Roam surfaces the Southend-on-Sea food spots locals actually love.
Bars & nightlife
Independent bars and evening spots across Southend-on-Sea.
Independent shops
Local butchers, delis and food shops worth exploring in Southend-on-Sea.
For businesses in Southend-on-Sea
Pier tourism and beach visitors drive Southend. The Old Town and Leigh-on-Sea have exceptional independent food businesses.
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Frequently asked questions
Southend-on-Sea is a place in Essex known for the Pier (the longest pier in the world at 1.33 miles), Peter Pan's Playground, the Kursaal, and an Essex city of traditional British seaside character with the longest pier on earth. Southend Pier — 1.33 miles long — is the longest pier in the world, built between 1830 and 1889. The population is around 182,000.
Southend has excellent independent food — the Old Town and Leigh-on-Sea are outstanding. Local Thames Estuary seafood is excellent.
Yes. Roam is a free local discovery app live in Southend-on-Sea and across Essex. It is available on iOS and Android.
Local Southend-on-Sea businesses can list on Roam for free in around 90 seconds. Add your business name, address, opening hours and a few photos via the Roam website, and your listing goes live in Roam's discovery feed for users browsing Southend-on-Sea and the wider Essex area. There is no subscription fee.
Roam covers Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding area in Essex, including Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Thorpe Bay, Shoeburyness, Hockley, Rochford, Hadleigh and Benfleet.
