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London's Theme Park

Southend-on-Sea is the largest town in Essex, with a population of around 176,000. Located at the mouth of the Thames Estuary, the town is the closest resort to London, being only 40 miles east of the capital. Situated in what is regarded as the driest part of the country, Southend has now developed a more cosmopolitan atmosphere with excellent shopping facilities and numerous restaurants, wine bars and pubs. and has grown into a vibrant seaside resort, and London's favourite 'theme park' all year round.

Southend is a busy tourist destination and shopping centre, with a world famous Pier, 7 miles of sea and foreshore, with all its associated leisure facilities and attractions.  There are two direct railway lines to London, and the M25 motorway is less than half an hour away. In addition, Southend also has its own airport.

Southend has long boasted of its world famous pier, but it now has a multitude of exciting new visitor attractions, thrilling adventure rides and spectacular events. You can also relax on award winning beaches or esplanades, stroll through some of the most magnificent parks and gardens in the South East, or just wander through the town that combines the charms of the traditional seaside resort with a superb range of restaurants, splendid shopping facilities, exciting theatre and musical performances.

There is a year round calendar of events in the town, ranging from the yearly Jazz, Folk and Beer Festivals to the annual Southend Airshow each May, which is the largest free air show in Europe.

Southend boasts many fine leisure facilities, ranging from the five Leisure Centres (including three pools at Warriors and Belfairs Swim Centres, and Shoeburyness Leisure Centre) to football and rugby pitches, cricket squares, bowling greens, croquet lawns and netball and basketball hoops. The seafront also offers a wide range of sporting opportunities and showcases speedboat races each year. Windsurfing, sailing, swimming and much more are on offer on the seafront.

Southend town centre has a lively nightlife with clubs attracting regular clubbers and tourists alike, along with a number of dance DJ club nights at other venues in the town. Southend also has many venues for alternative nights offering a mixture of bar and club atmospheres and with nearly 20 pubs in and around the town centre, there are a multitude of choices available. And for a serious clubbers night out, London's West End is only a train and tube ride away.

The town offers over 300 restaurants ranging from award-winning French restaurants to traditional fish and chips, and caters for every taste from Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Indian through to Mexican cantinas and American diners. Southend also boasts its ever-popular archway pavement cafes in addition to many national brand restaurants and themed restaurant pubs.

Film lovers can soak up the latest movies at the Odeon eight-screen cinema complex on the High Street. The refurbished Kursaal, along Southend's famous Golden Mile of amusement arcades, houses a 30-lane bowling alley. The Cliffs Pavilion, Palace Theatre and New Empire Theatre offer a wide mix of West End shows, ballets, concerts, touring productions, comedians and bands as well as providing venues for student productions such as the annual student fashion show.