But it’s not always been a buzzing holiday resort, originally the “south end” of the village of Prittlewell, Southend was simply home to a few fishermen’s huts and farms. The first settlement at Prittlewell is thought to have been a 6th or 7th century Saxon village, close to St Mary’s Church, which possibly contains evidence of a Saxon arch on its north side. It became a busy market town in the Middle Ages and became more prosperous in both the 15th and 16th centuries.
New to the city? Need a reminder? Then Southend Museums provide a plethora of fantastic facts and events at Central Museum, Prittlewell Priory, Beecroft Art Gallery, Southchurch Hall and Southend Planetarium. In 2022 Southend was granted city status as a memorial to the Conservative MP, Sir David Amess and Prince Charles presented a letters patent to the mayor of Southend to mark its city status. Southend is rightly proud of some iconic landmarks.
..including the pier.
The original wooden pier, at 600ft, was too short to use at low tide, so it was extended several times until in 1929 its 1.34-mile length made it famous as the longest pleasure pier in the world. There’s also the iconic Cliff Lift which was constructed more than a century ago.
Located on Western Esplanade it has fantastic views of the pier and the estuary and is a much-valued part of Southend’s rich heritage and run entirely by volunteers. For families there’s Adventure Island and Sealife adventure and a wide range of green spaces .