Ideas for Southend

moneylover

Hello,
Grandchildren coming to stay for a few days, with their mum and we want to wow them with days out! We live in Chelmsford and thought we would go to Southend for a day, but am a bit hazy what to do as we havent been since the mum was a child!
Def go on the pier, train one way and walk the other. Not expecting beach weather am now programmed to waiting for that next summer! But, if by some miracle, weather was decent next week what is best beach in area (a bit of sand)
And, more importantly, what else should we do - children are 7,5,and 4.
Would like a walk in the area too if possible! Someone said Leigh is nice these days? Could we walk along promenade maybe?
Any lunch ideas or special icecream?
Many, many thanks

hock79

There is a very good theme park to rival Thorpe Park on the seafront in Southend, either side of the pier. There are lots of amusement arcades along the main road. Plenty of places for ice cream, fish and chips and doughnuts are also a must.

Leigh is nice but too far to walk. You could walk along the sea front to Westcliff though, it's gets less crowded the further you go. I think the beaches will depend on the tide.

moneylover

hock79 wrote: »

There is a very good theme park to rival Thorpe Park on the seafront in Southend, either side of the pier. There are lots of amusement arcades along the main road. Plenty of places for ice cream, fish and chips and doughnuts are also a must.

Leigh is nice but too far to walk. You could walk along the sea front to Westcliff though, it's gets less crowded the further you go. I think the beaches will depend on the tide.

Thanks, is the theme park expensive? Also is it worth going to Leigh with kids or not? Anything there apart from cafes etc?
If we walked to Westcliff how far is this and can we get bus back?

hock79

I think the theme park is quite expensive, but you don't have to pay to get in, you just get a pass for so many rides.
Adventure Island
I'm not sure about buses but Westcliff is only about a 5 min walk along the seafront heading west. I can't think of anything in Leigh for kids, lots of nice cafes and shops though.

Bollotom

moneylover wrote: »

Thanks, is the theme park expensive? Also is it worth going to Leigh with kids or not? Anything there apart from cafes etc?
If we walked to Westcliff how far is this and can we get bus back?

You can purchase bands which give all day rides, there are height restrictions but we found it good value for money. :cool:

http://www.adventureisland.co.uk/

Auntie-Dolly

Do they still have 'Peter Pans Playground'? I used to love it there as a child in the 60's...

Bollotom

Auntie-Dolly wrote: »

Do they still have 'Peter Pans Playground'? I used to love it there as a child in the 60's...

Yes, but renamed Adventure Island and a little different to what it was, obviously. The only remaning item is "The House That Jack Built" crooked house thing. Southend was good, then a real dump and again back to being a nice place with good things to do. And a visit to Old Leigh for the sea food should be made. :cool:

sunshinetours

Nice little mainly sandy beach next to Adventure Island next to the Pebbles cafe which also has little rock paddling pool and a climbing frame. The pebble cafe has a deck on the back overlooking sea as does Sands restaurant next to Adventure island. Tesco vouchers work at Adventure Island. Check their website for opening days though as possibly not open every day apart from summer holidays

Alternatively wander towards Westcliff direction on the sea front to the Arches cafes which are a nice place for lunch. Rossi's ice cream along the way or Tomassi's at sea front end of high street for ice cream's inside.
SeaLife centre on sea front towards Kursaal end of sea front as are new City beach and the fountains.
If driving get kids to take scooters or maybe bikes if room as nice place for a scoot along

Old Leigh is still nice and quaint when it isn't too busy. Nice smallish sandy beach there and mainly pubs, cafes, restaurants and couple of galleries as well as the obligatory shell fish huts. if you wanta nice sea food or fish lunch then Simply Seafood well worth a visit there under the flyover at car park end

classy69

There is also a bowling alley, and a sealife centre on the seafront too. Oh and also a crazy golf if you get desperate!