Visit Essex and c2c Join Forces to Showcase Top Days Out this Autumn

27th October 2025

Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, has partnered with local train operator c2c to showcase top days out this Autumn. 

The collaboration has been set-up to inspire people to visit destinations along the c2c line and enjoy a visit to leading attractions and luxury stays in Essex. The two organisations hosted a special tourism promotion at Fenchurch Street station on 23 October. 

Councillor Mark Durham, Chair of Visit Essex is excited about the partnership. He said: “Essex has so much to offer, whether it’s a family day out, a romantic coastal getaway, or an active countryside adventure. By working with c2c, we’re making it even easier for people to discover these amazing places and extend the visitor season beyond the summer months.”

Visitor highlights along the c2c line include:

Southend-on-Sea
Southend is a classic seaside destination boasting the world’s longest pleasure pier. This Autumn check out the pier’s many attractions, including its electric train. The pier will also be home to 110,000 handmade poppies, from 5-16 November, which will create a dramatic display to mark remembrance. 

Other attractions include the Sealife Adventure, which boasts over 40 different species. There’s also Funtopia an indoor play centre. For outdoor thrills head to Adventure Island, and if you dare, join them for a ‘Fright Fantastic’ this Halloween. Enjoy pantos and theatrical productions at the Cliff’s Pavilion. Make sure to buy your ticket to see Cinderella this Christmas as Rylan Clark is starring as the Fairy Godmother!

Leigh-on-Sea
A charming town renowned for its independent high street, fishing shacks, welcoming pubs and seafood restaurants. Take a walk or bike ride from Leigh Station to Hadleigh Castle or Hadleigh Country Park. There’s lots to explore including breathtaking views over the Thames Estuary and top mountain biking tracks. 

Thorpe Bay
Thorpe Bay offers a more tranquil coastal experience, complete with pretty beach huts and quiet stretches of beach. Choose a relaxing short break at the contemporary Roslin Beach Hotel, opt for fine dining and spa treatments. Or head to the Camelia Hotel for beachfront views, warm hospitality and fine dining. 

Tilbury
Historians will love to explore the historic Tilbury Fort, an iconic landmark of national maritime heritage.

With quick and convenient rail connections from London, travellers can easily escape the city and explore picturesque coastal towns, historic landmarks, and beautiful countryside, all less than an hour away. 

Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c, said: “Our line connects London with some of the most beautiful and vibrant destinations in Essex. We’re proud to partner with Visit Essex to encourage more people to hop on board and explore what’s right on their doorstep.”

For more information about places to visit and how to get there, go to www.visitessex.com and for c2c www.c2c-online.co.uk. 
ENDS

Notes to the Editor
VISIT ESSEX
Visit Essex is the official tourism organisation and the only body specifically marketing the whole of the county to the visitor market. We work with visitor attractions, leisure/activity providers, accommodation establishments and other tourism related businesses (including the travel trade, media and wider partners), to ensure that the county remains a leading visitor destination.
Our work encompasses major marketing campaigns, high profile PR work, business support, and the management and promotion of the official Visit Essex brand. Visit Essex will ensure that the county gets the recognition it deserves as a desirable place to visit in the 21st century. We will work closely with partners to develop a sustainable tourism offering for the future, identify new markets and harness visitors at the county's major gateways of Stansted, Harwich, Southend and Tilbury.

FIND OUT MORE
•    Hilary Collins, Big Wave PR, hilary@wearebigwavepr.co.uk, 01206 231807