Aldridge Guest House

The net curtains lift gently in the sea breeze, and you can hear the distant cry of gulls over the rooftops — you're a stone's throw from Southend's seafront, with all the bucket-and-spade charm and Victorian pier magic that comes with it.

This is one for couples after a proper bed and a cooked breakfast, families who want a base for the arcades and adventure island, or anyone fancying a camping pod experience without giving up easy access to the town. The guest house offers traditional B&B comfort, while the pod gives you that hint of sleeping outdoors with a roof overhead. Southend's long shoreline, the world's longest pleasure pier, and those famous estuary sunsets are all on your doorstep — it's seaside England done properly, candy floss and all.

It's open year-round, so winter breaks by the Thames Estuary are on the cards too. Ask ahead if you're bringing a dog, and check about campfires when you arrive. Facilities aren't spelled out in detail, but expect guest house basics — a warm welcome, a key, and somewhere to rest your head after a day on the prom.