Advantages: North + South Ends of Essex Girls
Disadvantages: Duncan Torr Prefers Kent Girls

...ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JULY 2000 My wife and I wanted to visit a seaside to get away from the drudgery of London. So we travelled to Southend-on-Sea on July 27th 2000 which turned out to be a nice hot day. We got there by taking junction 29 off the M25 + taking the A127 straight to Southend. There are always delays on the M25 so make allowances for this on your journey. Having reached Southend follow the signs to the Seafront for access to the beach. Parking was £2 all day which was ace. There was a great range of eateries along the sea front eg fish + chips, burgers, pizzas etc. The souvenir shops we visited only took cash. We ate at one shop selling fish and chips. The food was plentiful and cheap. Only the soft drinks were a rip-off at 70p per can. The public toilets were clean and free of charge. At 4pm the tide was out... Read review

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Advantages: Some good attractions, long high street
Disadvantages: Not very safe at night

...Southend on sea is on the essex coast and is a typical sea side resort. Durring the summer southend is full of day trippers, and tourists from abroad. Americans, germans and the French mainly. Personaly I cant see the attraction. I left home at 15 and moved to Southend, Westcliff on sea really. Which is still classed as Southend as the two towns are located next to each other. And have never left, I dont like it, but family ties and my husbands work keep us here. Easy to get to. Southend is very easy to travel to there are two train stations, Southend Central which is located next to the high street and Southen Victoria which is located near a museum. There are also many bus routes and coach trips coming into Southend Atractions I supose the main attraction in Southend is Peter Pans ( Adventure Island... Read review

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Advantages: Seaside town
Disadvantages: Litter, Run down, many aslyum "seekers"

...On television, The BBC`s EastEnders go there for a holiday or a day out, you get shown the sea front with its amusements but is it worth going to? No. For a day trip to the seaside then yes, do so. If you want to go shopping in the High Street then go elsewhere. Southend`s High Street is full of vacant shops, and market cheap style shops. The town is very run down and is full of gangs of so called asylum seekers from Bosnia etc. Wallets, Purses and mobile Phone theft is at a high rate, as is litter and pidgeons around the street. During week days large groups of college students congregate on the benches the same even more so at weekends. Southend has had somewhat of a rejuvination, with the rebuilding on the Kursaal local landmark, but all this features is a bowling alley and a pub, The highlight of Southend... Read review

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Advantages: Great for the family
Disadvantages: A little difficult to reach by road

...Contrary to popular belief, Southend, or ‘Saaarfend’ as many prefer to pronounce it, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the South-East of England, not least due to it’s many appearances on EastEnders. Many tourist attractions are currently available to the public, with more and more attractions opening all the time. The most popular of which, the Southend High Street is the most popular of which, very popular with those who are tired of large shopping centers such as Lakeside or Bluewater, and allows shopping in the open air, in a car-free environment. Another popular attraction, Southend’s ‘Golden Mile’ allows visitors to stroll up and down the seafront to admire the beach and passing boats, whilst also relaxing on the traditional English deckchairs, eating ice creams... Read review

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Advantages: Great family day-out
Disadvantages: n/a

...Southend has always been a popular place for a traditional family day out by the sea. It has award winning beaches, winning gardens, illuminations from July to November along the one mile seafront and then there is ADVENTURE ISLAND Part of the Leisureworld Scheme. Adventure Island Sunken Gardens Western Esplanade Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE 01702-443400 Opening Times:- From 11am everday, closing between 6-8 pm Monday to Thursday Closing between 9 and 11pm Friday-Sunday Admission Free The closing times depend on the amount of people in Adventure Island. Wristbands for Unlimited Rides are priced as follows:- Supersaver Wristband £19 (for 1.2 metres and above) Tiny Tots Wristbands £14 (below 1.2 metres) All wristbands are half price from 6pm every night. If you do not want to buy a wristband, you are able... Read review

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