Southend-on-Sea: the longest pleasure pier in the world

A historic seaside resort for Londoners, Southend-on-Sea overlooks the Thames estuary with the world's longest pier.

An electric train runs the pier; the rest of the center can be visited on foot.

The Pier of Southend, stretching over two kilometers, remains officially the world's longest pleasure pier, walkable on foot or by electric train.

Just steps away, Southend's beach, overlooking the Thames estuary, remains one of the most popular seaside destinations for a day trip from London.

Continuing along the waterfront you visit Adventure Island, a free amusement park with roller coasters directly facing the sea.

Toward evening, fish and chips restaurants along the waterfront serve cockles, small mollusks traditionally collected from the Thames estuary.

The Southend Pier, opened in 1830 and extended several times, measures over 2,200 meters long, a world record that earned it a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Southend-on-Sea became the preferred seaside destination for Londoners as early as the Victorian era thanks to its direct rail connection to the capital, a role it maintains to this day on summer weekends and warm days.