The seaside town of Southend, and the longest pleasure pier in the world, is less than one hour by train from central London.

Shopping. Dining. Entertaining. London has it all. Discover our top highlights when you take the train there.

With its cosy seaside pubs, cobbled streets and authentic cockle sheds, Leigh-on-Sea makes the perfect day out in Essex.

East London – to be added. East London is a vibrant mix of cultures, innovation and the sharpest bars in town.

The London 2012 Olympics firmly put Stratford on the map as a top destination.

The small suburb of Rainham is steeped in history, and is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Thorpe Bay beach is a more peaceful beach-side spot than its bustling neighbour Southend.

Westcliff is an elegant town just west of Southend. It’s also the home of Rossi Ice Cream.

The sleepy sand and shingle Shoeburyness beach is quite the antidote to the flashing lights and arcades of Southend.

Chalkwell beach is a perfect spot for a good old fashioned, cheap as chips, bucket and spade holiday.

Chafford Hundred is home to one of Europe’s largest shopping centre’s, intu Lakeside.

Basildon is home to some great clubs, local markets, restaurants and bars, parks, and of course the famous, ‘Bas Vegas’ festival leisure park.

Tilbury’s history is closely connected to its geographical and industrial roots on the marshy banks of the river Thames.

There’s a sort of romance to the jumble of mudflats, nature reserves, creeks, Dutch houses, 30s modernism, and petrochemical plants