• 5 minute walk from Southend East railway station
• Free entry
• Check the Southchurch Hall website for opening times.

A rare example of a Medieval Moated Manor House, the current hall was built in the 14th century though a hall is believed to have stood on the site since at least the 9th century. The home of Tudor lords and the medieval de Southchurch family, the hall still features original features including smoke blackened timbers, a Great Hall and 16th century solar extension. Learn about the history of this ancient hall, find out about the way people lived in the medieval past and make sure to visit the beautiful gardens and water features that surround the hall. You will also find a small café and gift shop on site and do check our website for details of events including Tudor themed days and Mousechurch Hall

Visit Southchurch Hall

• 10 minute walk from Southend Central railway station
• Free entry
• Open Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm

The largest public art gallery in Essex, The Beecroft Art Gallery hosts the city of Southend’s permanent art collection featuring over 2000 works including pieces by the likes of Rossetti and Constable. Housed in an architecturally stunning brutalist building, the interior features ceramic tiles showcasing a rare example of the design work of Fritz Steller. The gallery has rotating temporary exhibitions featuring art, photography and sculpture and also showcases Southend Museum’s Fashion and Textiles collection with highlights including an extensive collection of historic swimwear. Visit our website for details of exhibitions and events including film screenings in the gallery’s lecture theatre and regular guided tours.

Visit Beecroft Art Gallery

• 10 minute walk from Southend Central railway station
• Free entry
• Open Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm

Southend Central Museum hosts displays of archaeology, natural history, social history and a yearly programme of temporary exhibitions. Built in 1905, the building was commissioned and paid for by the Andrew Carnegie Trust. Highlights include the internationally significant Prittlewell Princely Burial, one of the most important finds from the early Anglo-Saxon period and objects from the wreck of the 17th century ship the London. Our rotating temporary exhibition space showcases amazing objects from Southend and the surrounding area and exhibitions have included Ekco:100 years of design and innovation in Southend and Wunderkammer: Southend’s Cabinet of Curiosity. Visit our website for further details of exhibitions and special events including Space Day and regular guided tours.

Visit Southend Central Museum

• Based in Southend Central Museum
• 10 minute walk from Southend Central railway station
• Pricing
  • Adults: £6.80
  • Child/Concession: £4.60
  • Family Ticket: £21.00
    (2 adults & up to 3 children)
  • Children under 7 are not admitted
  • Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal adult.
• Show times
  • 2pm, Saturday & Sunday (term times)
  • 2pm, Wednesday – Sunday (school holidays)

Southend Planetarium at Central Museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky in our custom-built planetarium. A rare example of its kind and the only planetarium facility in the south-east outside of London, all presentations are given live by one of our knowledgeable lecturers. Shows last between 45-60minutes and range in content with subjects including the moon, mythology in the night sky and keep an eye out for our new mindfulness experience ‘Relax amongst the stars’. Pre-booking is essential, suitable for children aged 7 and upwards and please note the planetarium is situated on the first floor of the museum and we regret that this floor is only accessible via stairs.

Visit Southend Planetarium

• 30 minute walk from Southend Central railway station
• Priory opening hours 1st March – 31st October
  • Wednesday – Sunday & Bank Holidays, 11am – 5pm
• Priory opening hours 1st November – 29th February
  • Saturday – Sunday & Bank Holidays, 11am – 4pm

The oldest continually occupied building in Southend, the Prittlewell Priory was founded in 1110 as a priory of the Cluniac order of monks and would later become the private residence of Tudor lords and more recently a Victorian manor house. Located in the beautiful priory park, the Priory was gifted to the people of Southend by the philanthropist R.A Jones and opened as Southend’s first museum in 1922. Today’s museum tells the story of this grade one listed historic house and our on-site visitor centre boasts a café and gift shop. Visit our website and keep an eye out for special events at the priory including our Anglo-Saxon weekend, Halloween film screenings in the refectory, Christmas at the priory and regular guided tours.

Visit Prittlewell Priory

• 10 minute walk from Southend Central railway station
• Open year-round
  • 11am – 5pm weekends and Bank Holidays (excl. Christmas)
• Free entry (donations appreciated)

Displaying the full 130+ year history of pier trains, some previously unseen recovered items from the pier fires and relics from Southend’s maritime past, the Museum is located in the the Old Pier Workshops underneath the train station at the shore end.

The Museum will bring back fond memories for some and will be a brand new experience for younger generations. Remember days gone by with an original c.1890 “toastrack” tram, three original c.1949 train carriages, a working signal box, pictorial displays, some original “just for fun” working penny slot machines, and much more.

Visit Southend Pier Museum