Escot Properties’s guidebook
My recommendations for families
Having brought up two children in the area, I thought it may be useful to share some tips of places to visit in and around Southend!
Absolute must-see for families and thrill seekers! With a wide variety of rides whatever your age, there is something for everyone and I have yet to meet a child who doesn't love this place!
Best part is that you can enter the theme park for free and have a look at the rides before you decide whether or not to get an all-day wristband. (You can buy tickets for individual rides but this works out much more expensive).
Top Tip: In the summer holidays it's open late (until 10/11pm on warm days) and you can buy wristbands for half price after 6pm.
50 lokale inwoners raden aan
Adventure Island
Western EsplanadeAbsolute must-see for families and thrill seekers! With a wide variety of rides whatever your age, there is something for everyone and I have yet to meet a child who doesn't love this place!
Best part is that you can enter the theme park for free and have a look at the rides before you decide whether or not to get an all-day wristband. (You can buy tickets for individual rides but this works out much more expensive).
Top Tip: In the summer holidays it's open late (until 10/11pm on warm days) and you can buy wristbands for half price after 6pm.
This place has been much improved in recent years and even has some animals you wouldn't expect to see at a Sea Life Centre, including Meerkats!
Top Tip: If you buy a wristband at Adventure Island, you can upgrade it to include Sea Life Centre entry for around a fiver - that'll keep everyone amused for the whole day!
26 lokale inwoners raden aan
Sea Life Adventure
Eastern EsplanadeThis place has been much improved in recent years and even has some animals you wouldn't expect to see at a Sea Life Centre, including Meerkats!
Top Tip: If you buy a wristband at Adventure Island, you can upgrade it to include Sea Life Centre entry for around a fiver - that'll keep everyone amused for the whole day!
This is Southend's most famous park and is just a two minute walk from Park House. Lots of things to see there including children's playground, beautiful sculptured gardens, Prittlewell Priory (containing a small, free interactive museum) as well as a café.
Top Tip - in the summer months you will find live music playing from the Band Stand next to the café every weekend - great for taking a picnic for a day in the park! Check out the Southend Council Events page to find out more.
12 lokale inwoners raden aan
Priory Park
This is Southend's most famous park and is just a two minute walk from Park House. Lots of things to see there including children's playground, beautiful sculptured gardens, Prittlewell Priory (containing a small, free interactive museum) as well as a café.
Top Tip - in the summer months you will find live music playing from the Band Stand next to the café every weekend - great for taking a picnic for a day in the park! Check out the Southend Council Events page to find out more.
Just a short drive away down the A127 to nearby Rayleigh you will find this fantastic trampoline park. It also has a really nice café upstairs so parents can relax and watch the fun from a raised platform.
Top Tip: It's best to book online in advance as there are a limited number of spaces per session and it can get really busy at peak times.
Base Jump Trampoline Park
26a Brook RdJust a short drive away down the A127 to nearby Rayleigh you will find this fantastic trampoline park. It also has a really nice café upstairs so parents can relax and watch the fun from a raised platform.
Top Tip: It's best to book online in advance as there are a limited number of spaces per session and it can get really busy at peak times.
This is a little gem of a place just down the road from Southend off the A13 in Hadleigh.
Kids can get up close to farm animals and feed them if they wish and there is a lovely play area for small children.
Top Tip: while you're there, check out neighbouring Hadleigh Castle with its fabulous views across the Estuary to Canvey Island and Kent.
Salvation Army Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre
Castle LaneThis is a little gem of a place just down the road from Southend off the A13 in Hadleigh.
Kids can get up close to farm animals and feed them if they wish and there is a lovely play area for small children.
Top Tip: while you're there, check out neighbouring Hadleigh Castle with its fabulous views across the Estuary to Canvey Island and Kent.
If you want to have a day at the seaside a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of central Southend, there are several miles of seafront either side of the Pier to choose from.
My favourite is Chalkwell because there is plenty of parking and there is a paddling pool - so even if the tide is out, there is somewhere to paddle or go crabbing.
There are shops and cafes nearby too.
Top Tip: Don't worry if you forget change for parking, as you can download an app called Mobon and pay for parking that way - so much easier!
19 lokale inwoners raden aan
Chalkwell Beach
If you want to have a day at the seaside a little bit away from the hustle and bustle of central Southend, there are several miles of seafront either side of the Pier to choose from.
My favourite is Chalkwell because there is plenty of parking and there is a paddling pool - so even if the tide is out, there is somewhere to paddle or go crabbing.
There are shops and cafes nearby too.
Top Tip: Don't worry if you forget change for parking, as you can download an app called Mobon and pay for parking that way - so much easier!
With a fabulous adventure playground, modern and bright visitor centre with café and free parking - these woods are maintained beautifully by the Essex Wildlife Trust and are highly recommended.
There is a pitch n putt course providing great fun for the whole family as well as a full public golf course within the woods.
There is also a newly refurbished restaurant on the edge of the woods - 'The Inn at Belfairs' serving meals and afternoon teas.
Belfairs Woods
Belfairs WoodsWith a fabulous adventure playground, modern and bright visitor centre with café and free parking - these woods are maintained beautifully by the Essex Wildlife Trust and are highly recommended.
There is a pitch n putt course providing great fun for the whole family as well as a full public golf course within the woods.
There is also a newly refurbished restaurant on the edge of the woods - 'The Inn at Belfairs' serving meals and afternoon teas.