Southend History
HMS Leigh - Bravest Pier in the World
FAQ
Covid-19 Information:
This event is following Southend Borough Council and Southend Pier's Covid-19 precautions.
Please scan the NHS Covid-19 track and track poster on entry to the Pier
Please wear face masks in all indoor spaces unless exempt. Face masks are available to purchase via dispensers in the North Station.
Please observe social distancing guidelines whenever possible.
Please do not attend the event if you have Covid-19 symptoms, have had a positive Covid-19 test, or a subject to isolation for whatever reason.
For the latest Southend Borough Council guidelines please see their website:
https://www.southend.gov.uk/homepage/438/coronavirus-advice-and-support
Walking the Pier:
Southend Pier is 1.3 miles long and takes approximately 25 minutes to walk (on a good day).
Pier Podcast:
To accompany your Pier walk the HMS Leigh team have produced a Podcast to accompany you on your journey. This is free to all and can be accessed on your smartphone via scanning the QR codes on the Podcast Posters. We suggest you bring your own headphones or earbuds however, a limited number of headphones will be available to purchase from the Ticket Booth on the day on a first-come-first-served basis.
Southend Pier Railway:
Trains run from the North and South stations every 15 minutes.
One of the carriages has specific wheelchair access, please ask station staff for assistance.
Wet Weather:
This is an open-air event that is subject to the vagaries of British weather, so please bring appropriate footwear and clothing as it can get cold and wet out there.
In the event that Southend Pier Managers decide that the weather is too bad to use the Pier walkway, the event will utilise the Pier Railway for both journeys.
The weather can also come and go on the Pier, so if it is raining too much for your comfort then a visit to the Southend Pier Museum may allow time for the sun to come out.
Toilets:
There are public toilets available to use on both ends of the Pier.
The Visitor's Centre has toilets and a disabled toilet available.
The Pier Head also has a block of toilets between the Pier Railway Station and the Royal Pavilion.
Dogs on the Pier:
While no dogs are allowed on the Pier at any time, they do welcome assistance dogs but request that they are kept on a lead at all times.
First Aid:
First aiders are on site should they be needed, please ask a member of Pier staff for details. The first aid room is next to the public toilets in the North Pier Railway Station.
Southend RNLI Open Days:
Southend Lifeboat Station Open Weekend Southend Pier Head, Southend on Sea Sat 25th & Sun 26th Sept 2021 11:00 ‘til16:00 Alongside the HMS Leigh Community Event*, Southend RNLI are welcoming you to their Open Weekend!
View the lifeboats, meet the crew, visit the shop, say hello to Stormy Stan and learn all about Southend RNLI! Lifeboat demonstrations at 14:15 and 16:15 both days (subject to operations)
Find out more at facebook.com/southendlifeboat * Find us at the end of Southend Pier * *Entry to the Southend RNLI Open Day is free however a valid ticket to the HMS Leigh Community Event will be required in order to get on the Pier.
You can purchase tickets to the HMS Leigh Community Event at: https://www.hmsleigh.org.uk/event-details
Getting to Southend Pier for the HMS Leigh Bravest Pier in the World Event
By Road: Satnav Postcode: SS1 1EE
The A127 (from North) and A13 (from South) both link Southend to the M25. Once in Southend, numerous brown tourist signs direct you towards the seafront and the Pier.
Parking: Although there is no parking at Southend Pier, there is parking along the seafront and the two nearest large Car Parks are the Seaways Car Park and Royals Shopping Centre Car Park which are a 5 minute walk to the Pier, with bays for disabled parking. Cars may drop passengers off at the drop off point at the West entrance to Southend Pier, next to Adventure Island. For charges please see the Southend Borough Council website:
By Rail: Two rail lines run between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (c2c Rail) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). Journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes and while Southend Central is the closer station, just a 10 minute walk from the Pier, Southend Victoria isn't much further, taking around 15 minutes to walk to the Pier.
By Bus: First Essex run a number of services to and from Southend Travel Centre every 15-30 minutes. Services to catch: 20, 21, 21A, 21B, 23, 24, 25, 25A, 26, 27A, 28. For timetable information visit the First Essex website.
International Visitors: Southend Airport is the closest airport to Southend Pier, the quickest route is by car and it’s only 5 miles away!
Accessibility:
This access statement aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that are offered to all guests/visitors to Southend Pier.
There are three entry points onto Southend Pier, all with step-free access. The west entrance has ramp access for wheelchairs and automatic doors. The east entrance has step-free level access with push/pull doors. The upper walkway level entrance has step-free level access from Pier Hill and has ramp access down onto the Pier walkway.
The Pier walkway is accessed by a lift from the main entrance. There is a ramp down to the Pier walkway. As the Pier consists of deck boards some wheelchairs with narrow wheels may not be suitable. There is a wheelchair available to hire at the Pier reception if required.
Public toilets are located at the Pier entrance, and at the Pier Head. There are disabled facilities in all public toilets on the Pier.
Trains and Pier walkway: the main entrance of the Pier is undercover and sheltered all being wheelchair accessible with overhead lighting.
The Pier trains can easily be accessed with step free level access from the Pier station platforms. There is a disabled friendly carriage with wider entry doors for larger wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
If assistance is required please speak to a member of staff.
At the end of Southend Pier you will find The Royal Pavilion which has ramp access into the building. There is seating at the top of the veranda to enjoy the sea views as well as picnic benches on the Pier deck including those suitable for wheelchairs.
The RNLI gift shop has ramp access to view the vessels housed in the boathouse as well as the souvenir gift shop.
The Tea with the Tide tearoom has a small entry ramp into the building and customers can enjoy a cream tea where the famous ‘Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast’ is filmed for Channel 4.
There are various beach hut style outlets open during the peak season offering takeaway fish and chips, ice cream, and souvenirs. Southend Pier Crazy golf is open again during peak season with the course accessed on the flat deck surface. The golf hut also serves drinks, ice cream and seaside confectionery. There is bench seating available at the beach huts and the crazy golf, including a bench suitable for wheelchairs.
We look forward to welcoming you on your visit. For any accessibility enquiries please contact Southend Pier on 01702 212534 or email vic@southend.gov.uk