Essex, England, United Kingdom

Southend Beach

Southend Beach is a popular family destination located near London. The beach is known for its beautiful, clean sand, although some areas can be a bit stony with grass growing in places. Despite this, it offers a lovely atmosphere and is a wonderful place for a walk, even during off-seasons.

The beach is equipped with plenty of amenities including food and drink stands, toilets, and souvenir shops on the promenade. There's also a theme park, arcades, and a pier, providing a variety of entertainment options for visitors. A small playpark for children aged 2 - 7 and a water fountain area are also available for enjoyment during hot weather.

Parking is available, though it may not be the cheapest option. The beach can get quite busy, particularly during peak hours, so some visitors prefer to go in the evenings. Despite its popularity, the beach maintains a good level of cleanliness, although some visitors have reported occasional unpleasant smells.

Explore accommodation options near Southend Beach and enjoy its beautiful sandy stretches and lively atmosphere.

Accessibility to the beach can be a challenge for some, as ramps for prams or wheelchairs may not be readily available. Despite this, Southend Beach remains a favourite among both locals and tourists for its variety of attractions and natural beauty.

What to do at Southend Beach?

Amenities

Southend Beach amenities include parking and toilet.

Restaurants

Best restaurants near Southend Beach include Rose Restaurant, Pieno-Lleno, Las Vegas Grill, Dining-Saurs, Beaches Cafe Bar Bistro, Il Pescatore and Nando's Southend.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the beach's family-friendly atmosphere, with amenities such as a theme park, arcades, and a pier being particularly popular. The beautiful scenery and the variety of activities available for all ages are also appreciated. However, complaints were made about the occasional unpleasant smell in the water and on the beach, as well as the difficulty in accessing the beach with a pram.

Where to Stay near Southend Beach?

Most visitors to Southend Beach choose to stay in Southend-on-Sea due to its proximity to the beach and the variety of accommodations available within walking distance. Others may opt for nearby towns like Leigh-on-Sea or Westcliff-on-Sea, which offer a quieter stay while still being a short drive away from the beach.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is Southend Beach?

Latitude: 51.5324634 / Longitude: 0.7210207

Southend Beach is located in Essex. The following map of Southend Beach shows the exact location.

Southend Beach: Weather Today

📅 Monday, June 8, 2026
Today is not a suitable day for a trip to the beach. You can expect frequent light rain throughout the day, accompanied by significant cloud cover that will keep the sun hidden. Conditions are quite blustery, with strong winds that will make relaxing on the sand uncomfortable. The air temperature is cool, reaching a maximum of 17.7 °C, and the water is far too cold for swimming at 16.0 °C. Given the persistent wet conditions and the restless nature of the air, it is best to postpone your visit to the coast until the weather clears up and temperatures become more inviting.
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Air

Low / High13.7°C/17.7°C
Feels Like (High)15.4°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature16.0 °C
Wave Height0.3 m
🌧️

Rain

Rain Chance97%
Rainfall3.7 mm
Rain Duration12 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset04:39/21:12
Sunshine Hours8.4 hrs
UV Index3.85
Cloud Cover84%
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Wind

Speed27.4 km/h
Gusts49 km/h
DirectionSW

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