Southend (EGMC)

Matthew Stibbe

15 years ago

Nearest town: Southend-on-Sea (7 miles by car), Essex

Opening Times: 24 hours

Longest Runway: 1605m, Asphalt with friction course

Fuel: AVTUR JET A-1, AVGAS 100LL, Water/Meth 45/55/0

Phone: 01702 608100

Landing fees: £20 for every tonne of aircraft weight or part thereof

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Handling: Southend Handling (01702 608150, handling@southendairport.com)
Taxis: Available from the taxi rank outside the arrivals area
Car Hire: Avis (01702 480481, www.avis.co.uk), Enterprise (01702 522822, www.enterprise.co.uk), Hertz (01245 269726, www.hertz.co.uk), National (01702 616574, www.nationalcar.co.uk), Thrifty (01702 391411, www.thrifty.co.uk)
Facilities at airport: Coffee shop
Charters: Kudos Aviation (08452 303141, www.kudosaviation.com), The Flight Centre (01702 546420, www.theflightcentre.net), 24/7 Jet (01702 531500, www.247jet.biz)
Flying Schools: Southend Flying Club (01702 545198, www.southendflyingclub.co.uk), Seawing Flying Club (01702 545420, www.seawing.co.uk), Willowair Flying Club (01702 531555, www.willowair.co.uk), The Flight Centre (01702 546420, www.theflightcentre.net)

The Cornucopia, Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea (01702 460770). Tiny little pub but makes up for it with plenty of character, a friendly welcome and very good ales.
The Sutton Arms, Southchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea (01702 469400, www.suttonarms.com). Conveniently located near the town centre, this pub hosts some good live bands and other entertainment over the weekends.
The Spread Eagle, Victoria Avenue, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea (01702 213674). Close to the Southend United Football Club, this can sometimes get packed with supporters, but interestingly, the landlord promotes different ales each week.

The Glasshouse, 43, Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea (01702 348088). High end European restaurant that serves some delicious food with dessert being the highlight.
The Bank, 1470, London Road, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 719000, www.thebankonline.co.uk). A comfortable and popular restaurant in what used to be a bank. Offers cafe-style food as well if all you want is a bite.
Zabrano, 127, Leigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 476999, www.zabrano.co.uk). Excellent Italian cooking and a decent wine list make this a good option. Their Sunday roasts and steaks receive good reviews too.

Pier View, 5, Royal Terrace, Southend-on-Sea (01702 437900, www.pierviewguesthouse.co.uk). A Georgian period hotel that’s been renovated to offer modern amenities. Has lovely views of the Southend pier and estuary.
Ilfracombe House Hotel, 9-13, Wilson Road, Southend-on-Sea (01702 351000, www.ilfracombe-hotel.co.uk). A family run hotel with about 20 comfortable rooms and friendly service. Plus, it’s close to the seafront.

Belfairs Park Golf Course, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea (01702 525345). A parkland course that is open to visitors, with prior booking.
Garon Park Golf Complex, Eastern Avenue, Southend-on-Sea (01702 601701, www.garonparkgolf.co.uk). Large course with 27 holes including a 9 hole par 3 course ideal for beginners.
Thorpe Hall Golf Club, Thorpe Hall Avenue, Thorpe Bay (01702 582205, www.thorpehallgc.co.uk). A 100-year old golf course with a fine bar for the thirsty golfer.
Rochford Hundred Golf Club, (01702 544302, www.rochfordhundredgolfclub.co.uk). A flat parkland 18-hole course in beautiful surroundings.

A visit to Southend Pier and Museum. While Southend Pier is well known as the longest pier in the world, the Southend Pier Museum (www.southendpiermuseum.co.uk) is a little more hidden away. Worth a visit for its displays of old trains, trams and machines.
Take the funicular ‘Cliff Railway’ from the seafront up to Clifftown. This is a relic of Southend’s heydays in the 1950s when day-trippers from London would besiege the town on weekends.
Art lovers will find the Beecroft Gallery (01702 347418, www.beecroft-art-gallery.co.uk) of interest with some valuable permanent exhibits (including 17th C. Dutch paintings) as well as many exhibitions through the year.
If you have the time, there are many beaches in the vicinity of Southend, including the Bell Wharf, Westcliff Beach, Three Shells Beach and Jubilee Beach.