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The Southend Pier Railway is a 3 ft narrow gauge railway in the English city of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It runs for 1.25 miles along the 1.34 miles length of Southend Pier, providing public passenger transport from the shore to the pier head.

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The Southend Pier Railway is a 3 ft narrow gauge railway in the English city of Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It runs for 1.25 miles along the 1.34 miles length of Southend Pier, providing public passenger transport from the shore to the pier head.

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Southend-on-Sea is the closest major beach town from London, especially when you're travelling from East London (Underground to West Ham or Barking, then 1 hour by train in the direction of Shoeburyness). Southend offers a nice alternative to the glitzier, but also gaudier and much more crowded Brighton - and if you just want to spend a few hours on a relatively quiet strip of beach (stony though) near the North Sea, I can safely recommend it. In the last four years it has become my habit to bookend trips to London by going to Southend and walking the 1.34 mile Southend Pier, the longest such pier in the world. The pier itself is also much more quiet than the one in Brighton . Except for a really nice café with outside seating, there are just a few small food stalls here, without the cheap amusements, casinos and carnival. It is truly a pier that you walk along to soak in the maritime atmosphere, and in good weather it offers splendid views. And if you're too lazy to walk, you can always take the short tram ride at half-hour intervals (during the summer, price for an adult is UKP 5.20 for a "return ticket", or the walk & ride option for 4.70). Entry to the pier without the tram ride will cost you UKP 2. To give you an estimate, it usually takes me 25-27 minutes to reach the end of the pier without stopping and with no children to slow me down (If you're with kids, expect 35 minutes at least). The pier and its view have always reminded me of "Shell Beach" in the movie Dark City. I especially like the café, which offers small cakes, scones and sandwiches and a modest range of (non-alcoholic) drinks. From its elevated terrace you have a nice view onto the pier. In rainy or extremely weather there are enough seats inside. There is a lifeboat station which includes a teeny, tiny museum and a small gift shop. Sitting options to relax, unwind and enjoy the view are plentiful. The pier is in good shape, frequent repairs to the wooden surface are evident from the varying color of the planks. Note that at ebbtide you have to walk about a mile on the pier to even reach the waterline.

Thomas Müthing (theviolinproject.de)Thomas Müthing (theviolinproject.de)
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My visit to Southend-on-Sea was nothing short of magical, and the highlight of my trip was undoubtedly the iconic pier train ride. As the longest pleasure pier in the world, Southend-on-Sea offers breathtaking views of the estuary, and the train ride allows you to experience these scenic vistas in a unique and relaxing way. The gentle journey along the pier was a serene experience, providing a perfect blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this attraction is a must-visit for anyone looking to create lasting memories. But the wonders of Southend-on-Sea don't stop at the pier! The surrounding area is rich with attractions, beautiful beaches, and delicious dining options that cater to every taste. To capture the essence of our adventure and to share more about what Southend-on-Sea has to offer, we've put together a detailed YouTube video. From the tranquil shores to the lively town center, join us as we explore the many facets of this enchanting seaside town. For a closer look at our journey and to discover more hidden gems in Southend-on-Sea, make sure to watch our YouTube video. We dive deeper into our experiences, offering tips and insights that could help plan your perfect visit. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more travel content!

Sanjee With RandiSanjee With Randi
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Great way to spend an hour... Not much to do on the pier though, just the view, no arcades or fair attractions just small pop ups that are very expensive for a captive customer base. I'd suggest taking your own snacks and drinks !! The little railway was ok we paid for the train both ways £5.60 each but we decided to walk the mile and a quarter back. Very Courteous and friendly staff at the front of the pier... Easy to purchase tickets ect. However.... 🤨 We went to the shack where Jamie Oliver filmed his Jamie and Jimmy's show As we were talking a few quick pics walking through "with no one else in the shop"... we were asked mid photo (quite abruptly) what we wanted... By the girl serving .. I asked politely for a hot choc please we were again quite sternly told to move down to the till first even though no one else was in the shop or needed serving and we were only a few feet away!! We moved down to the till £2.80 for a not very warm hot chocolate in a take away cup with no pleasantries or appreciation for the business we were giving them. Then we were told to go outside and collect the drink from a window at the side. Just some friendly advice for the girl behind the counter Number 1 if you work in a shack previously used by a celebrity for a show... Your customers will want to take a picture occasionally. Number 2 it costs nothing to be polite and courteous to your customers especially at the prices your charging .... remember they are paying your wages !!

Damian aka Evo.Damian aka Evo.
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Don't moan about the entry fee - it all goes towards maintaining this pier and after the set backs they've had in the past (more info in the museum huts, RNLI station at the end of the pier and pier railway museum below the pier deck on the promenade) it's nothing short of a miracle this pier is still standing and open. Anyway this is a a very well maintained pier and despite suffering setbacks as if they're cursed, the pier still strives forward and develops the best they can. At the end of the pier currently is a Victorian tea room (rarely open) featured on TV, a larger café restaurant and pavilion that can be hired for events and gigs, a small mini golf course, a semi-interactive museum made from various beach huts and an active secondary RNLI small lifeboat station with viewing gallery and gift shop (free to visit but donations welcome, all purchases go to the RNLI- the 'lifesaver tea' is fantastic) . I know more is planned apparently but that's depending on time, politics and money of course. It's well worth a visit. I reccomend a walk and ride ticket (approx £5 per adult) walk there and get the pier train back which is an attraction in itself. Combine with a visit to Adventure Island and you have a full on day out for everyone!

Beer BaronBeer Baron
20
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This was our first visit to Southend, and we loved it. The seafront is a traditional British resort but is well cared for and clean. The pier was the highlight of our visit. Access is through a modern glass frontage with very helpful staff. You can either walk both ways, take the little light train both ways or what we did, walk out, and train back. All prices were reasonable. The actual pier is wooden and arout a mile and a third long. It is a delightful walk with plenty or areas to sit if you need to. We were there as the tide began to come in, and it was great watching the shoals of fish (whitening) following the incoming water. At the end of the pier, there is the cafe used in the Jamie Oliver TV programme. It's much smaller than you would think There are also two cafes that share a modern building with outside and inside seating. The pier invested in modern electric trains, but they broke down after days, so they still use the old engines. To my mind, they are better than the new electric stock. A great way to spend a morning!

martin coxmartin cox
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I was here with my wife on Saturday, 06/04/24. It was a very windy and cloudy day but not so cold. Best to go on a hot day. The train departs towards the sea every 30 minutes at 00 and 30 minutes past the hour. Return train departs every 30 minutes at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. The return ticket costs £7.50. The pier is just over a mile long and the train journey saves you the long walk in the wind. There is a Life Boats building at the end of the pier with a higher level offering beautiful views. The gift shop has many beautiful items on sale. There's also many food and drinks outlets at the end of the pier. The sea is very dirty and the end of the pier would look much better by removing some junk to create more space.

Abdullah YildirimAbdullah Yildirim
10
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Overview

4.5(1.6K reviews)

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+44 1702 212534

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Website

southendpier.co.uk

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Deep Dive

A deep dive into Southend Pier and Railway