Southend on sea used to have a couple of campsites, now there are none. In a time when more people are staying in the UK and towns try to encourage tourists, it seems strange to me that a major seaside town has no campsite.

Yes there are small CL and CS campsites but they are restricted to 5 caravans. East Beach had a caravan park and although getting tired it was right on the seafront and close to the town, further off there was also a campsite many years back in Pointers lane, both now are closed.

If you want to visit Southend with a caravan, motorhome or tent, you need to either book a 5 van site in advance or stay further afield outside of southend and drive in.

As a town, Southend has a lot to offer the tourist, with a theme park, pier, beach clubs and pubs and much more but unless you want to stay in a hotel forget staying local.

Surely there is a patch of land somewhere close by and surely a nice campsite with full facilities and Southend on the doorstep would be a draw to tourists?

Over the years Southend has gone downhill then back up again and I believe that Southend has improved greatly in recent years but still I see things that make me wonder. The pier so long neglected the cliffs in disrepair and looking to stay closed off for years to come, but other things like the improvements to the town centre and plans to improve the park at Warrior square are all good.

So after moaning, how do we get ourselves a campsite? I really don't know is the honest answer, but I would suspect that it would need to involve one of the big clubs or holiday companies and some help, advice and enthusiasm from the Local Council.

Southend is a great place for families but if those famiies caravan, tent or use a motorhome you won't see them in Southend.

Local Links

Southend on Sea

Adventure Island

Clubs and pubs

Southend Pier  Still the longest pleasure pier in the world