Best end-of-pier attractions

For a ride out to sea

Southend Pier, Essex

Southend needed Britain's longest pier to be able to land passengers from steamers at low tide, and a century ago the pier reached 2,157 metres out to sea. For the keen walker, the almost three-mile round trip to the end may seem fun, but, for the rest of us, it might be more pleasurable to ‘let the train take the strain'. In 1888 work began on an electric railway, and today the pier is served by two diesel trains.

Single journey: adults, £3, concessions, £2; £3.50/£3 return (01702 215620, www.southend.gov.uk).