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Essex Parks

Child Friendly Southend-on-Sea: Playgrounds Close to the Beach in Southend!

The Southend-on-Sea Beach Playground Guide


Who doesn't love a visit to the British seaside? There are many beaches surrounding Southend-on-Sea including Shoebury Common, Bell Wharf Beach, Chalkwell Beach, Jubilee Beach, Thorpe Bay Beach and the Three Shells Beach and Lagoon. The 7 miles of sea front stretches from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoebury. Whether you are looking for a quiet stretch of beach on the Southend seafront, or are visiting to experience the hustle and bustle city beach, there is a beach to suit all.


There are so many great things to do with children in Southend-on-Sea, There are great family friendly attractions on the seafront including Adventure Island, Adventure Inside and the Sealife Centre.



If you are looking for free things to do in Southend-on-Sea, there are plenty of excellent playgrounds in Southend. You can check out our Top 10 Playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea.


Beach Playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea


This Southend Beach Playground Guide features the following playgrounds (click to scroll to the playground):




📍Three Shells Beach

Western Esplanade

Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE


Distance from the Beach: On the Beach


Three Shells Beach Lagoon Southend-on-Sea
Three Shells Beach Lagoon Southend-on-Sea

Three Shells Beach Playground
Three Shells Beach Playground

This beachside playground is located close to Southend's top attractions including Southend Pier (the longest Pier in Europe) and Adventure Island. The Three Shells Lagoon is very family friendly. The lagoon is always filled with water for splashing and the beach is sandy.


There is a small playground most suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. There are two pieces of play equipment - a climbing frame and sand chute equipment. There are toilets and showers close by. There are several beach front food stalls selling traditional seaside food.


🅿️ Parking - where to park for Three Shells Beach Playground

Southend Council Eastern Esplande Code 602102

Up to 1 hour - £2.80

Up to 2 hours - £5.50

Up to 3 hours - £8.30

Up to 4 hours - £11

Up to 5 hours - £13.80



📍Jubilee Beach (Listed as Poodles Playpark on Google Maps)⁣

Southend-on-Sea⁣

SS1 2EL ⁣


Distance from the Beach: On the Beach


This beach playground is located close to more Southend Attractions including the Sealife centre, water fountains, toilets and a heap of seaside food outlets. ⁣It is also less than five minutes walk from Adventure Island and Southend Pier. The playground is suitable for smaller children. There is a climbing frame with tunnels and pulleys, a separate slide and balancing equipment.

Jubilee Beach Poodles Play Park Playground
Jubilee Beach Playground

🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Jubilee Beach Playground

Southend Council Fairheads Green Car Park Code 602009

Up to 1 hour - £2.80

Up to 2 hours - £5.50

Up to 3 hours - £8.30

Up to 4 hours - £11

Up to 5 hours - £13.80




📍Southchurch Park

Northumberland Crescent

Thorpe Bay

Southend-on-Sea

SS1 2XB


Distance from the Beach: 2 minutes walk


Southchurch Park is located only a stones throw away from Thorpe Bay Beach. The Park has several pitches and courts, a model boating lake and gardens. The large playground has equipment for toddlers and big kids too. There are many different climbing frames, swings, a roundabout, climb on equipment and lots of spinning equipment.


Southchurch Park Playground Southend

🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Southchurch Park

Free Parking in car park on Northumberland Crescent

There is also unrestricted on street parking around the park



📍Shoebury Common Playground

Shoeburyness

SS3 9HQ


Distance from the Beach: Next to the Beach (across a road)


This playground is located close to the beach and Thorpe Bay's beautiful beach huts. The beach here is a mix of sand and pebbles. The playground has a nautical theme, there are boats, ship climbing frames and sea creature climb on equipment. There are a variety of swings, interesting sensory equipment and games. The playground is enclosed and there are plenty of picnic benches inside the playground. There is lots of open space around the playground and also outdoor gym equipment.


Shoebury Common Playground Southend
Shoebury Common Playground

Shoebury Beach Playground Southend
Shoebury Common Playground

🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Shoebury Common Playground

Southend Council Shoebury North Code 602014

Up to 1 hour - £1.10

Up to 2 hours - £2.20

Up to 3 hours - £3.30

Up to 4 hours - £4.40

Up to 5 hours - £5.50



Gunners Park, Shoebury

📍Gunners Park

Warrior Square Road

Shoeburyness

SS3 9QB


Distance from the Beach: 2 minutes walk


This small playground is perfect for toddlers from toddler swings, climbing frames and a small merry go round. There are unique and interesting play equipment including a scoop pulley system and lots of educational interactive equipment including facial features and a clock. The car park is conveniently located next to the playground and Serendipity Cafe, inside the Cart and Wagon Heritage Centre. The Cafe serves good hot and cold food and is a community interest company. Adventurous toddlers will enjoy exploring the nearby Gunners Park Nature Reserve too.


Gunners Park Playground Southend
Gunners Park Playground

🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Gunners Park Playground

Free parking in car park



East Beach, Shoebury

📍East Beach

Shoeburyness

SS3 9AB

Distance from the Beach: Beachside


If you are looking for a quiet beach, head to East Beach. You won't find traditional seaside attractions here, but you may find some beachy treasures here like seaglass and the occassional interesting pottery. The beach is a mix of stone and sand and it is a great crabbing spot when the tide is out. There is a large climbing frame with a slide here. Suitable for children 4+.

East Beach Southend
East Beach Shoeburyness

East Beach Playground Southend
East Beach Playground

🅿️ Parking - Where to park for East Beach

Southend Council East Beach Code 602016

Up to 1 hour - £1.10

Up to 2 hours - £2.20

Up to 3 hours - £3.30

Up to 4 hours - £4.40

Up to 5 hours - £5.50





BONUS! Southend Pier, Southend-on-Sea

📍Southend Pier

Western Esplanade

Southend-on-Sea

SS1 1EE


Distance from Beach: 30 minute walk, 5 minute pier train ride


Southend Pier is the longest pier in Europe, stretching 1.33m in length. Did you know there is a large sandpit at the end of Southend Pier?


You can either walk the length of Southend-on-Sea pier, or catch the pier train. The pier is open every day from 10.15am until 6pm. Last entry to he pier is one hour before closing. You can buy your tickets on the day of your visit from the till points at the Visitor Information Centre or the Pier Walkway entrance. You can find pier entry and train prices on the Southend Pier website.


Southend Pier Sandpit

As well as this giant sandpit, you can also find the RNLI shop, a cafe and food outlets at the end of Southend Pier.


🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Southend Pier

Southend Council Eastern Esplande Code 602102

Up to 1 hour - £2.80

Up to 2 hours - £5.50

Up to 3 hours - £8.30

Up to 4 hours - £11

Up to 5 hours - £13.80


Need More Park Inspiration?

Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex. Over 100 parks and playgrounds are listed



Last Updated April 2024

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