Southend is the nearest seaside resort to London and was extremely popular during Victorian times.
There are plenty of attractions to keep residents, visitors and holidaymakers busy in Southend.
The pier is l.33 miles long and is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It was built in 1830 and was brought by Southend Local Board in 1875 for the sum of £10,000. It first opened in 1889.
It is now due to be refurbished and visitors and residents are being asked what they would like to see at the end of pier. It is also possible to ‘sponsor a plank’, to help with the rebuilding costs and for £50 for individuals and £250 for businesses (what a way to advertise) you will get a certificate and your name will be added to the Roll of Honour Board.
A diesel hydraulic train runs the length of the pier.
At the entrance to the pier is Adventure Island there are over fifty rides that can be enjoyed by adults and children.
On the seafront is situated the Aquarium and the beach stretches for seven miles.
The Kersaal was one of the country’s earliest amusement parks and was built back in the 20th century. It was closed in 1970 and the entrance, which is a listed building, became a bowling alley run by Megabowl, and a casino. The rest of the ground has been used for housing.
There are three theatres in Southend, The Cliff Pavilion this shows a variety of productions including ice shows. The New Empire Theatre and the Palace Theatre which was erected in 1912 and has two of the steepest circles ever to have been built.
Southend is a town suitable for people of any age or culture all of whom are able to enjoy the other popular places around the area such as museums, art galleries, parks, gardens, music venues, pubs and restaurants.
There are a number of shops in Southend including New Look, Bay Trading, Dorothy Perkins, Baron Jon, Burtons and Adams with larger stores like Wilkinson, Matalan, Primark and Marks and Spencer plus a wide range of smaller shops.
There are plenty of flats and houses to rent in and around Southend with prices from £475pcm for a l bed flat, £650pcm for a 2 bed flat and £700 for a 3 bed house.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are major employers and the central offices for VAT collection are also situated here.
There is recently opened University which has brought more people into the area and again employs a large number of staff.
There are nine railway stations in the Borough and are all well used by the residents a large number of which commute to London. The two major roads serving Southend are the A127 which connects the town to London via Basildon and Romford and the A13 which via Tilbury connects to London Docklands. Both roads join the M25 motorway.
Southend also has its own airport at the moment on Summer Saturdays has scheduled flights to Jersey but is mainly used for business and cargo flights plus pilot training.
It has got planning permission for a new terminus and rail station and this could be operational by 2009. Once up and running it is hoped flights will be made to further afield destinations.
For one week during the season Essex County Cricket Club play County Cricket in Southend. There are two football teams and two rugby clubs in the town.
On the second and fourth Saturdays in the month Southend has one of best farmers markets in the country
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