What to do in Southend-on-Sea

Activities, attractions and tours

Southend-on-Sea which includes a sunset, general coastal views and a sandy beach
Southend-on-Sea which includes a sunset, general coastal views and a sandy beach
Epping Forest which includes forest scenes
Epping Forest which includes landscape views, hiking or walking and forests
Southend Pier featuring signage

Southend-on-Sea Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Southend-on-Sea has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Southend-on-Sea, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Southend-on-Sea with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Southend-on-Sea, and make it a breeze to explore Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Southend-on-Sea to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Southend-on-Sea, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Southend-on-Sea.

Southend-on-Sea attractions

Southend-on-Sea has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Southend-on-Sea to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Southend-on-Sea.

Looking for things to do in Southend-on-Sea can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Southend-on-Sea or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Southend-on-Sea attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Southend-on-Sea

Number of things to do
1
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
RHS Garden Hyde Hall: £14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Southend-on-Sea

Popular places to visit

Adventure Island featuring rides

Adventure Island

Home to some of Britain’s most exciting amusement rides, including the infamous Rage rollercoaster, this theme park has attractions for all ages and budgets.

Adventure Island
Southend Pier

Southend Pier

Among the longest in the world, this iron pier protrudes far into the Thames Estuary and is a favorite among local fishermen.

Southend Pier
Shoeburyness @UK

Southend Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Southend Beach during your trip to Southend-on-Sea? Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its lively bars.

Southend Beach
Lovely red sky overlooking Southend on sea, Essex

Thorpe Bay Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Thorpe Bay Beach during your travels in Southend-on-Sea? Stroll along the area's seaside or simply savour its lively bars.

Thorpe Bay Beach
Roots Hall in the early evening sunshine

Roots Hall Stadium

Catch an event at Roots Hall Stadium during your trip to Southend-on-Sea. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

Roots Hall Stadium

Shoebury East Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Shoebury East Beach during your travels in Shoeburyness?

Shoebury East Beach

Southchurch Park

Explore the great outdoors at Southchurch Park, a lovely green space in Southend-on-Sea. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its lively bars.

Southchurch Park

Sealife Adventure

See the exotic and native animals who live at Sealife Adventure during your travels in Southend-on-Sea. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.

Sealife Adventure

Prittlewell Priory

You can learn about the history of Southend-on-Sea with a trip to Prittlewell Priory. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its lively bars.

Prittlewell Priory

Explore areas of Southend-on-Sea

Beautiful sun rise in Thorpe bay Essex

Thorpe Bay

Travellers like the beaches in Thorpe Bay, and Thorpe Bay Beach is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Thorpe Bay

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Southend-on-Sea

Sunset at Westcliff, near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, United Kingdom

Westcliff-on-Sea

500px provided description: Southend Rail [#sunset ,#travel ,#train ,#architecture ,#building]
Photo by Buriable (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)

Rochford

Brandy Hole Marshes Incoming Tide on the River Crouch
Photo by John Myers (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Hockley

Footbridge at Leigh-on-sea

Leigh-on-Sea

Great Wakering: St Nicholas' churchyard, Essex Taken standing in St Nicholas' churchyard on Great Wakering Common. You can clearly see many of the interesting and ancient graves in the foreground, plus the old cottages of New Road behind the churchyard. This area was once a bakery. The following is a picture I recently found of this area depicting old baker's shop on the junction of New Road and Shoebury Road. http://www.peter-owen.myby.co.uk/postcards/greatwakering/gtwk05.jpg
Photo by Julieanne Savage (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Great Wakering

Sunset over the River Crouch at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, UK

Burnham-on-Crouch

The wave.

Shoeburyness

Frequently asked questions

Is Southend-on-Sea worth visiting?
With a mix of family-friendly attractions and views, there are plenty of things to do in Southend-on-Sea. While you're here, check out Southend Beach, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Southend-on-Sea?
Begin your day with a visit to Southend Beach and Thorpe Bay Beach. Then, tour other areas of Southend-on-Sea for tasty eats and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Southend-on-Sea?
You can't go home without exploring Southend Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Southend-on-Sea.
Is three days enough to stay in Southend-on-Sea?
Three days in Southend-on-Sea is more than enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many travellers spend two days on average. Southend Beach, Thorpe Bay Beach and Shoebury East Beach are among the most popular sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Canterbury.
Is Southend-on-Sea a walkable city?
It comes down to what you want to do and see in Southend-on-Sea. Several top attractions, like Southend Beach, are accessible on foot. If you feel like a wander through one of Southend-on-Sea's vibrant neighbourhoods, Thorpe Bay is 3 kms (2 miles) away from the city centre.
What are some activities to do in Southend-on-Sea with kids?
Deciding what to do in Southend-on-Sea with kids has never been so simple. Whether you have teenagers or toddlers, there are many family-friendly activities to keep them happy here.

What to do in Southend-on-Sea for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Southend-on-Sea, with experiences for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Southend-On-Sea Pier Museum or Prittlewell Priory.
Are there free things to do in Southend-on-Sea?
In Southend-on-Sea, Southend Beach is a must-see spot for anyone planning to experience the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's an easy way to discover the best free things to do in Southend-on-Sea.

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