DISCOVERY
There’s nothing like a refreshing dose of sea air to lift those spirits. CHRISSY HARRIS rounds up some of the best places to go for a nostalgia-filled day trip to the coast
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ESSEX
Anywhere that has an iconic Victorian pleasure pier is in the business of proper seaside fun. ‘Saaaaafend’, as they say, has held resort status since the 19th century and city status since 2021. This is place that embraces it all, much to the delight of the generations of day-trippers that come here for the arcades, candy floss and the posh restaurants.
WHAT TO DO: The pier. At 1.3 miles, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It even has its own electric train line. Jetstream Tours offer boat trips from the pier to see the Maunsell Forts - armed towers built in the estuary during World War Two.
The kids (including big kids) will go mad for Adventure Island, the free-to-enter seafront theme park.
Southend Cliff Lift is a volunteer-run funicular railway between Clifton Terrace and Western Esplanade.
The open top bus from Southend to Old Leigh is a great way to see everything.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:
Ye Olde Chippy (Marine Parade) for good fish and chips with a side order of a small soft-play area for young diners.
Beaches Bar and Bistro (Marine Parade) is very child and dog-friendly.
Zinnia Southend (Western Esplanade) is ‘pan-pacific’ dining in a glitzy £3.5million venue inside the Clifftown Shore development.
Monti (Southchurch Road) for an authentic, family-run Italian.
Mawson’s (Southchurch Road) is said to be Southend’s first micropub, offering up to six cask ales.
FIND TIME TO: Enjoy a Rossi ice-cream. This Southend staple has been part of life here since 1932. Double scoops all round. See southend.gov.uk; mumsguideto.co.uk
FOLKESTONE, KENT
We used to take the mick out of a friend for being from Folkestone. He took it with good humour and a knowing look of agreement. Now he’s having the last laugh because his home patch is actually pretty great these days. Regeneration and revival, particularly around the harbour, has lifted the look and feel of this port town. The rise in Folkestone’s fortunes has been helped greatly by Sir Roger De Haan of Saga Group fame, who has invested millions in the town where most of his employees are based.
Aside from all of this, Folkestone has a sandy beach and is just a 55-minute train ride from London St Pancras. What are you waiting for?
WHAT TO DO: Visit the Old High Street, as it’s called. It’s char
