Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Southend-on-Sea

We've collected top 10 mentioned free attractions in Southend-on-Sea from other articles such as yably.co.uk, The Crazy Tourist, thomsonlocal.com.

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Southend-on-Sea

Southend Pier and Railway
Southend Pier and Railway
4.5 (1191 ratings)4 (1789 ratings)
Seasonal museum on the pier with 19th- & early-20th-century train cars, slot machines & costumes.
Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EE, United Kingdom
Historical landmarkSights & LandmarksPiers & Boardwalks
Mentioned by travelaboutbritain.com
Explore Southend-on-Sea on the Essex Coast
"Located at the pier's entrance, this living museum portrays the history of the pier and life in the resort. Just outside the museum you can take the famous electric train to the end of the Pier, where you will find a Lifeboat Centre, cafe and shop. Opening times: daily from 10:15am - Admission Charges for Museum & TrainLocation: Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1HTel: 01702 611214Website:southend.gov.uk/pier"
Mentioned by Love Southend
Southend's Top 15 Attractions According to TripAdvisor
"The pier is certainly one of Southend’s most iconic landmarks and is known as the longest pleasure pier in the world. At 1.34 miles, most visitors opt to take the pier train to the pier head, where you can find a small museum, a café and the new Royal Pavilion where you can catch the occasional concert or exhibition. Amazing views looking out into miles of water."
Mentioned by Essex Explored
11 Best Things To Do In Southend Essex
"Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world, at a length of 1.34 miles. It was first built in the early 1800s and was only 600ft. The pier was extended several times, with the full extension being completed in 1929."
Chalkwell Park
Chalkwell Park
4.4 (1588 ratings)4.5 (126 ratings)
297-hectare park featuring ornamental gardens & a cafe, plus 2 playgrounds & athletic courts/fields.
Chalkwell Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8NL, United Kingdom
ParkNature & ParksGarden
Sealife Adventure
Sealife Adventure
4.2 (2371 ratings)4 (697 ratings)
Sea life aquarium with sharks in walk-through tunnel tank, plus rays, turtles and insect displays.
Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2ER, United Kingdom
AquariumNature & Parks
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
15 Best Things to Do in Southend (Essex, England
"Southend has the most visited aquarium in the southeast of England, at Sea Life Adventure on the Eastern Esplanade. There are 40 displays to take in, featuring clownfish, rays, sharks, starfish, sea snakes, otters, penguins, dwarf caiman, poison art frogs and giant snails. Kids will have every chance to get involved at the Interactive Education Room, which has two rockpools where they’ll be able to touch a crab and starfish."
Mentioned by thesevenhotels.com
About Southend – The Seven Hotel
"The Aquarium hosts like to talk about all of their family of creatures, they are passionate about the animals in the aquarium and want to share that passion with you!"
Priory Park
Priory Park
4.5 (1887 ratings)4.5 (134 ratings)
Green space with a fishing lake, museum & playground, plus courts for tennis & basketball.
Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ND, United Kingdom
ParkNature & Parks
Southchurch Park
Southchurch Park
4.4 (1392 ratings)4 (88 ratings)
35 Northumberland Cres, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2XB, United Kingdom
ParkNature & Parks
Southchurch Hall Gardens
Southchurch Hall Gardens
4.3 (182 ratings)
Woodgrange Dr, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2SE, United Kingdom
Park
Essex Wildlife Trust Thameside Nature Discovery Park
Essex Wildlife Trust Thameside Nature Discovery Park
4.5 (494 ratings)4.5 (102 ratings)
Mucking Wharf Rd, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0RN, United Kingdom
Visitor centerNature & ParksNature & Wildlife AreasParks
Bonchurch Park
Bonchurch Park
4.2 (46 ratings)
Bonchurch Ave, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3AP, United Kingdom
Park
Southchurch Park East
Southchurch Park East
4.3 (101 ratings)
Lifstan Way, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 3AN, United Kingdom
Park
Hardie Park
Hardie Park
5 (29 ratings)
Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0PB, UK
ParkNature & ParksPlaygroundsState Parks

Best Cake Places in Southend-on-Sea

Patisserie Valerie - Southend
Patisserie Valerie - Southend
4.1 (469 ratings)
Long-standing chain patisserie serving coffee and light meals, plus fancy pastries and cakes.
52 High St, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1JG, United Kingdom
PatisserieCafeCake shopCoffee shopRestaurant
Mentioned by squaremeal.co.uk
300 Local Restaurants near Southend On Sea
"Our Southend Café is a short walk away from the Southend Central railway station. We have hand-made cakes, tea, coffee & much more with your name ..."
Creams Cafe Southend
Creams Cafe Southend
4 (627 ratings)
42 London Rd, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NT, United Kingdom
Dessert restaurantCake shopCoffee shopDessert shopHalal restaurantIce cream shopTakeout RestaurantPancake restaurantPatisserieVegan restaurant
“For Goodness Cake”
“For Goodness Cake”
Ruskin Ave, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5HA, United Kingdom
Cake shop
Mentioned by happy-go-lica.com
Essex Food Guide : My Top 10 Restaurants in Southend
"The Mews’ website refers to themselves ‘Southend’s best kept secret’ and they certainly aren’t wrong!. The Mews serves European/Asian influences cuisine, with a particular focus on seasonal ingredients and quality. The restaurant is tucked away off the main highstreet so it really is in a ‘need to know’ location."

Cheap Places to Eat in Southend-on-Sea

Subway
Subway
3.8 (152 ratings)
Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.
Unit G4, 33 Southchurch Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2NG, United Kingdom
Sandwich shopFast food restaurantTakeout RestaurantRestaurant
Mentioned by gb.centralindex.com
Japanese Restaurant in Southend On Sea
"Unit 3 The Royals High Street, The Royals Shopping Centre, The Royals Shopping Centre, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1DQ. Your local Subway® Store, located at Unit 3 The Royals High Street. And it's one of the only places on the planet that can offer..."
The Fish House
The Fish House
4.5 (449 ratings)
11 East St, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6LQ, United Kingdom
Fish and chips takeawayFast food restaurantRestaurant
Mr Tang
Mr Tang
4.7 (71 ratings)
556 Rayleigh Rd, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5HX, United Kingdom
Chinese restaurantRestaurant

Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Southend-on-Sea

Stop The World Cafe
Stop The World Cafe
4.6 (522 ratings)
Relaxed local eatery for drinks, shakes, cakes and light bites from breakfast to afternoon tea.
113 Broadway, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PG, United Kingdom
CafeBreakfast restaurantRestaurant
Mentioned by c2c
The best restaurants in Leigh on Sea | Trains to/from London, Southend & Essex withRail
"Visitors dropping in for chocobanana waffles, homemade granola or sourdough bread piled high with Gruyere scrambled eggs and crispy pancetta. If you’re watching your weight, it’s best to avert your eyes upon entering – the counter groans under the weight of colourful, freshly baked cakes, biscuits and macaroons. Gold Digger brownies or a slice of Pimm’s O’ Clock loaf go best with a cup of tea, but if you’re really celebrating we recommend a rather large slice of Peach Melba Chiffon cake."
Mentioned by c2c
Top 10 restaurants for outdoor dining in South Essexs Guide
"Stop the World Cafe has a small, covered outdoor seating area on thriving Leigh-on-Sea Broadway. This relaxed venue has some delightful breakfast and lunch options, using fresh, high-quality ingredients. There’s also afternoon tea on offer, including sandwiches, sweet and savoury scones and homemade cakes."
Osborne Bros Cafe
Osborne Bros Cafe
4.6 (584 ratings)
Billet Wharf, High St, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2ER, United Kingdom
CafeSeafood restaurant
Starbucks
Starbucks
3.9 (387 ratings)
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its signature roasts, light bites and WiFi availability.
188-190 High St, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5SG, United Kingdom
Coffee shopCafeCoffee storeSandwich shop

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Southend-on-Sea

The Coast Guard's Apartment
4.3 (9 reviews)
The Coast Guard's Apartment
apartment
$105 /night
View deal
Creeksea Place Barns
4.5 (135 reviews)
Creeksea Place Barns
lodge
$136.5 /night
View deal
Preston Mews Flat 1
Preston Mews Flat 1
apartment
$133 /night
View deal
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