It was Sir John Betjeman who said “The Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier”, and he certainly had a point.
About Manchester was down on the Essex coast sampling a short break and staying at the Roslin Beach Hotel
Situated between Southchurch Village and Shoeburyness, it overlooks the Thorpe beach and makes an ideal base for exploring the area.
Our room was faultless, decorated in turquoise, it included a balcony looking over the sea front, and a separate living space with table and settee.
The bathroom was ample size for two with both bath and walk in shower with two jet heads and a range of toiletries provided along with bath robes and slippers .
The room came with all the usual trimmings including a retro phone, yes one of those that you had to rotate the dial.
Dinner was served in the elegant AA two Rosette Restaurant,starters of Burrata,Heritage Beetroot, Pine Nuts, Black Figs,Basil Pesto and Croutons for myself while my other half ate Grilled Mackerel, with Ponzu Dressing, Avocado, Cucumber.
Neither could be faulted as was the main’s, mine a delicious Thai fish curry which melted in the mouth nor my other half’s Smoked Haddock with creamed Potato.
Our only complaint, being left the sweet menu and forgotten about for over half an hour by which time the appetite for something sweet had gone.
Breakfast, may I also say was wonderful and set you up for the day, either hot buffet classic and or cold as in fruits,grains, breads and jams or in our case both.
We didn’t indulge but the hotel also has spa and treatment services and caters for weddings and other numerous events.
The breakfast set us up for a walk into Southend, the esplanade follows the beach, there are plenty of bars and cafes to break up the journey, without stopping you can be at the famous pier in half an hour.
The first pile was driven in the mud of the Thames Estuary in 1829, today it may be better known as where Jamie Oliver, that Essex lad, films his Friday night feast cafe.
It holds the record as the longest in the world, first built to entice tourists to stop at the town as they steamed out of London on the way to Margate. Stretching half way into the Estuary, it literally trapped them into sampling the delights of the Essex Town.
It has a connection to the North West too, replaced with a iron version in 1880, which was designed by James Brunlees, who built Britain’s first iron leisure pier at Southport.
A victim of its own success, it was extended continually until in 1929, it became the world’s longest.
It has survived a number of disasters, including a massive fire in the 1970’s and threat of closure and another fire in the 1990’s and today if you don’t fancy the 1.3 mile walk, you can catch the train which will take you to the pier head.
About Manchester was a guest at the Roslin Beach Hotel
For further information see the Hotel’s Website https://www.roslinhotel.com
