Discover Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Southend Pier, Southend-on-Sea: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southend_Pier_Autumn_2007.jpg
Author: Damian Dukarski


Southend-on-Sea is a town and seaside resort in Essex, England. It covers 41.76 sq km (16.1 sq mi) and has a population of 165,000 people (2012 estimate). The town is on the north side of the Thames estuary, about 64 km (40 miles) to the east of London.

Southend-on-Sea derived its name from being on the "south end" of the village of Prittlewell. It developed as a seaside resort during the Georgian era, attracting visitors from London to its beaches.

As with many of the seaside resorts in Britain, Southend-on-Sea suffered a decline since the 1960s, as interest in local beaches ebbed in favor of more exotic destinations abroad. Nonetheless it continued to receive some 6.4 million visitors per year, generating an annual revenue of some £220 million.

On 18 October 2021, Southend-on-Sea was given city status, in advance of the closing date of the 2021 submissions for city status to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2022, in memory of Sir David Amess, the MP of the town who was murdered three days earlier. Sir David had long pressed for the status for his town. The city status was granted by letters patent dated 26 January 2022, and presented by Prince Charles on 1 March 2022.

Beach huts, Southend-on-Sea: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beachhuts.jpg
Author: Brian Snelson

Visiting Southend-on-Sea

To reach Southend-on-Sea by road, take the A12 road out of London. At Gallows Corner, continue on the A127 to reach the town.

Places of Interest in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is on the Map of cities in England

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