Heathrow Airport 1 hr 42
Mangapps Railway (8 min)
Steam and diesel locomotives run along this heritage railway, with a museum of train memorabilia. Old Leigh Studios Gallery (43 min) Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park (21 min)
Working farm with sheep, bunnies and ferrets, plus tractor rides, a bouncy castle and magic shows. Sealife Adventure (48 min)
Sea life aquarium with sharks in walk-through tunnel tank, plus rays, turtles and insect displays. Hadleigh Castle (41 min)
Ruined 1200s castle, refortified by Edward III in the Hundred Years War, affording marsh views. Adventure Island (49 min)
Free-admission fun park with more than 40 rides and attractions from rollercoasters to ghost trains. Osea Island (44 min)
Estuary and beach RHS Garden Hyde Hall (25 min)
Site run by horticulture charity, including bird hide and Dry Garden with bold architectural plants. Southend Pier and Railway (49 min)
Seasonal museum on the pier with 19th- & early-20th-century train cars, slot machines & costumes. Promenade Park (22 min)
Victorian riverfront park with ornamental lake, woodland walk and kids' adventure play areas. Chalkwell Beach (46 min)
Pebble & sand beach with a large granite obelisk from the 1800s & a promenade with snack kiosks. Southend Central Museum & Planetarium (44 min)
Exhibitions of local natural history and archaeological treasures including a haul of Saxon gold. Bell Wharf Beach (45 min) Prittlewell Priory (42 min) Wallasea Island (1 hr 1)
Accessed by a ferry, this peaceful island features farm & wetlands, wildlife, camping & a marina. | 
