Southend-on-Sea: town, shore and so much more.
 

Southend-on-Sea's exciting new seafront is set to make faces smile even more this year. With state of the art lighting displays, fountains, landscaping, event space and more room to enjoy the seaside, visitors will notice big changes.

With its seven miles of coastline, you'll be surprised just how much there is to see and do. Enjoy traditional seaside fun aplenty in the shape of award-winning beaches and family attractions like Adventure Island, where you can test your mettle on the thrilling vertical drop RAGE rollercoaster or take a gentler ride with your little pirates on the Jumping Jolly Rogers. Alternatively, come nose to nose with a reef shark at the Sealife Centre or board the railway to the end of the longest Pleasure Pier in the world and learn about its eventful history at the Pier Museum.

You'll also discover a thriving cultural scene in museums, historic houses and a range of art spaces. Size up the Old Masters and contemporary British works at the Beecroft Art Gallery while soaking up the sea views or step into the past at the half-timbered manor house of Southchurch Hall. Or choose from a feast of festivals, from fighter planes and aerobatic aircraft at the annual summer Air Show to the Christmas Spectacular, complete with Christmas lights, parade and fireworks. There's also fine dining and nightlife to suit all tastes while two theatres offer up everything from stand-up comedy to blockbuster West End musicals, often at a fraction of West End prices.

Southend-on-Sea is bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2017. Southend’s seaside and world famous Pier are popular destinations, but the hidden cultural treasures are much less obvious. Historic houses, theatres, parks, gardens, museums and galleries offer a different dimension to the seaside town. The Saxon treasure find is also being exhibited on multiple occasions this year. So delve a little deeper and discover the cultural side of Southend-on-Sea. For more information visit our website www.visitsouthend.co.uk and www.southend2017.org