Southend - Westcliff Bay

Southend’s Westcliff Beach is a mix of sand and shingle, interspersed with groynes.  At high tide the beach can be entirely submerged, whereas at low tide a large expanse of wet sand and mud is exposed.  The family-friendly beach is used for bathing, kayaking, paddle boarding and walking. 

Between this beach and Chalkwell Beach a large granite obelisk can be seen out on the mudflats, partially submerged at high tide.  This Crowestone, replacing a much earlier stone, marks the spot where the City of London’s jurisdiction over the River Thames would have ended.

Whilst here, you might want to sample the refreshments at Rossi’s Ice Cream Emporium.  A short walk from the beach is a 24-hour casino and The Cliffs Pavilion, a theatre offering over 300 live performances each year, ranging from operas to musicals, stand-up-comedian performances and, of course, pantomimes.

Southend has all the amusements and entertainments that you would expect from an established seaside resort town and also boasts the longest pleasure pier in the world.  There are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop to be found close to the beach. 

Dogs are not permitted on the beach from the start of May to the end of September.