Southend Pier Museum will be of particular interest to school children of all ages. Teachers will find it a valuable source of information & fulfils many aspects of the History National Curriculum Key stage 2 & 3.
The hands-on exhibits in the museum help to make learning fun and visitors may climb aboard one of the early pier trains which has been restored to its former glory and operate the levers in an early signal box.  Children (of all ages!) can also enjoy looking at a distorted image of themselves in the funny mirror and play early slot machines with real old pennies.
The Pier Museum building is also of particular interest. It was originally the pier workshops providing maintenance facilities for engineers, carpenters, electricians, and blacksmiths. Over a period of time, the workshops became redundant and were used for storing Pier items and as a deposit for `junk`.
Determined volunteers, wishing to preserve the Pier’s wonderful history for future generations to enjoy, have worked tirelessly to make a disused part of the Pier into something worth visiting. As long as the Museum survives, so too does part of this historic building.
The Museum is open from early April to late September from 11 am until 5 pm (5.30 pm during school summer holidays) but under certain circumstances arrangements for school visits might be made for visits outside normal opening hours and during some winter months.
The Museum archives hold a number of plans of the Pier, literature and information to assist college and university students in a variety of studies. For further information, and an appointment to view, phone 01702 614553/611214.
Our sales area has a wide selection of reasonably priced postcards, books, prints and other items. Souvenir bags are available and prices start at £1.20.
A colourful, illustrated map of places to visit in Southend is available to visitors to the Museum.
Teaching staff are invited to make a free pre-visit to the Museum to discuss any requirements for their group(s). Please e-mail or contact us on 01702 614553/611214 for further information. Proof of identification will be required when visiting the Museum.
We recommend 40-45 minutes per visit and this may include a 10-15 minute talk / guided tour on request, by prior arrangement. The maximum group size we can permit is 30 pupils and the group charge is £16.50. No charge is made for teaching staff although any accompanying adults are charged the normal admission of £1. Please note that all proceeds from ticket, souvenir sales and donations are used to help maintain and improve the Pier Muscum.
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