Mud or Sand thats the question! (Short Breaks from Southend-on-Sea)

Member Name: David A. Brett

Product:	Short Breaks from Southend-on-Sea
Date:	23/04/01 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: short breaks ok

Disadvantages: no good for longer

Is it Southend on Sea OR Southend on Mud? That really depends! Southend on sea certainly has a beach, and when the sun shines its sort of pebbly/sandy. But when the tide is out, it turns into mud, and quite ugly to look at! But that’s just one thing, what about the rest?

Trains

Arriving at one of the three train stations in Southend (Victoria, Central, or East) - Victoria, it was sun shining (Don’t worry it didn’t last too long). However, we began our walk to the well sign-posted sea front. It was a simple and almost straight walk to the sea front, which lasted around 15 minutes, or so. Around seven trains an hour arrive in Southend on sea, mainly from London Fenchurch Street or London Liverpool Street. Of course from the station you can get a taxi from the station, or take a stroll. We opted for the latter.

Southend accommodation

Southend is Essex’s largest town, and as being a seaside town – you’d automatically assume they’d have plenty of accommodation! Wrong! Yes they do some several guesthouses and a few hotels scattered over the place, but not nearly enough.

We arrived on a Wednesday only to traipse around streets to search for a suitable abode for a few days. We had no success for our (what seemed) hours of walking. Every place we visited was full, or a couple could only offer one room! Eventually, desperate and tired - we visited the tourist information centre. They rang around and eventually found us a suitable hotel, in Westcliff. They kindly ordered us a taxi, which soon came and took us to our home for the nest few days.

The hotel was lovely, clean, and the breakfasts were fabulous. And as we got our bearings, the walk into Southend main seafront really wasn’t that long (probably about 15 minutes).

Southend fun

But what did Southend have to offer? Well, quite a bit really. To start with, there is the world famous pier, which spans
a massive 1.3 miles into the sea. You can take a train, or for around £1.50 per (1/2 price available for normal cases) you can walk along the pier, and ride the train back. However, the end of the pier is less than entertaining. There is a small amusement arcade, a small shop, and a few cafés. If it wasn’t for the fact of saying ‘I’ve been on the worlds longest pier’ the effort is hardly worth it.

The town also has a fun fair, named ‘Peter Pan’s playground’. This is quite expensive at £15 for an all day wristband (compared to Great Yarmouth’s £7 last year). But the kids had fun, and probably got their wristband value in rides. Peter Pans has the usual fruit machines, and amusements, as well as a selection of rides for the younger child. Cheaper tickets are available after 6pm (when I visited). Walking along the sea front there is a wide range of amusement arcades, varying in size. The famous Kursaal is still in place. It contained a range of ‘amusements’, and games.

Southend refreshments

Along the front are the obligatory fish and chips shops, and pubs, which make for the normal seaside town. We found a very nice little restaurant (owned by a Greek man). He was very helpful, and the food to a very high standard. I didn’t notice the name, but it sits under the arches near the entrance to Peter Pans. A couple of places we found unacceptable for food were Clarke’s and Pebbles (Both on the sea front). Both the meals were and dry (though edible). The service was also poor in these two establishments.

Southend shopping

I guess Southend on sea must be a shoppers dream. It has masses of shops, from local ones to high street ones. Littlewoods, Boots, Iceland, Electronic boutique, all make up the hundreds of stores available. There is also an excellent £1 shop! There is also an indoor undercover shopping arcade, called ‘the Royals
217;. Which is one of the best for cleanliness I have ever seen. It is bright and friendly.

General

It took less than an hour from London Liverpool Street to get into Southend Victoria Station. If the weather had been brighter, (we had just about everything you can imagine), and the accommodation easier to find, our trip would have been more pleasant. But as it was, we still enjoyed ourselves greatly. But I don’t honestly think I could of spent more than a few days there. Attractions are limited (like accommodation). Some of the people were extremely helpful and polite, while others were the opposite. If you can I would advising trying it for a day trip maybe, otherwise an over night stay, but make sure you book your hotel first!

Summary: