At 1.33 miles in length, Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. It was first built, in wood, in 1830 to allow boats to dock even at low tide when the sea is out a mile or more. Later - in 1875 - an iron pier took its place. Three fires later, it still stands, and visitors can walk or catch the train to the pier head, where there's a lifeboat station and a gift shop.
