London Southend - read guest experiences 

Ann Brehaut

World Travel - Guernsey 

 

I thought London Southend Airport was very easy to get through, it is fairly small airport and not very busy. With the train station outside it is very easy to get to Westfield shopping centre in Stratford which has hotels in the complex so perfect for a weekend of shopping.

From there if you want to mix it up a bit it is so easy to then get into central London with Stratford Station in Westfield Complex.

Whilst we were there last weekend that was exactly what we did with our time. We went sightseeing in central London and took in a great show in the evening “Rip it Up” sixties dance and song musical.

The next day was my shopping day whilst my husband went and see West ham play at their home ground right opposite Westfield shopping centre at the Olympic Park.

It was a fun packed weekend which we will certainly look to do again once the flights from Guernsey operate.

 

Samantha Fusellier

Wayfarers Travel /
Escape the rock - Guernsey  

London Southend Airport – check-in was smooth. No queues for security. Departure lounge was spacious and well laid out. Train station is right opposite the terminal building so really easy to catch the train. 

On Friday we did a bit of shopping then got the tube into London to go and watch Wicked! We got on the tube during rush hour and even though it was busy, it only took 29 mins to get to Victoria so really really easy!

Saturday involved a bit more shopping (!) and then the West Ham vs Huddersfield game – stadium is a 2-minute walk from Stratford.  What a game – Wes Ham were losing 1-3 but ending up winning 4-3. Neither of us are West Ham fans but as it was so close we thought why not!

We then finished our weekend with a lovely meal at Jamie’s Italian, the food was amazing and again only a few steps from our hotel in Stratford.

Chris Roberts

Travel Counsellors - Guernsey  

Just returned from the new Guernsey London Southend flight where we were off to London for the weekend. I was travelling with my son who had a focus for our visit - WW2 museums, I also had a mission as this was my lad and my first visit to London I wanted to show him some of the iconic images of the UK capital.

I've got to say I was impressed with London Southend Airport, modern, similar size to Guernsey, so easy to get through, nice facilities and having the rail station directly outside makes onward travel so easy, it’s the closest airport to rail I know and as for going into London it’s the easiest airport of all Guernsey’s options.

We were staying at a hotel in the Westfield centre near the former Olympic village at Stratford City. We had some free time Friday afternoon, so after grabbing lunch in the amazing choice of dining options at Westfield I took my lad to see the Thames, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, then through Regents Park to Buckingham Palace. Cinema next and Vue at Westfield Iles is excellent.

Our big day exploring started at the Imperial War Museum, it doesn’t fail to impress with a full size Hawker Harrier Jet and Spitfire suspended from the ceiling, we then walked to the amazing HMS Belfast, gone past it for decades, it’s a fascinating insight into its service years and memorable history, I even found the position my Dad manned on a similar ship when he was 18 years of age and in the war. I had hoped to also do the Churchill War Rooms but we were out of time. We thought of doing a Thames cruise from Tower Bridge which we walked to as this is a great way to sightsee without all the walking, but my lad had done this with school, same with my idea of doing one of the big red hop on hop off buses, so much more interesting than tubing everywhere, but laddo had again done this with school.

We were bushed after being on our feet so long, so it was time to chill back at the hotel before checking out Westfields choice of eateries. And then our trip was over, another nice flight Southend to Guernsey and we were home once more, having had a great time away.

James Bentley Island FM  

I went to London Southend with my friend Jon. We had a couple of days in the heart of London being tourists. It was so easy from London Southend Airport to get to the hotel at Stratford and then the underground within walking distance to get us straight in to the heart of the capital. There was everything we needed in Stratford with the big shopping centre to look around and get an obligatory top from Primark and all the food you could possibly ask for with so many different places to choose from.

While we were in London we went to see the Queen but sadly she wasn’t in and then thought we would pop past for a cup of tea with Tesesa May. We couldn’t even get close to the door as apparently she was recording another episode of the popular drama that is Brexit. A walk through Chinatown and a little visit to Leicester Square. The main thing we wanted to do was go and see a West End show. So we went to see the Book Of Mormon which I highly recommend as long as you are not easily offended.

We also went to see the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing from the Beatles album. This was quite a good laugh as its on a main road and people keep running out into the middle and onto the crossing, stopping all the cars just so they can get a picture from the same place as fab four.

 

Charlotte Robert

Competition winner  

A new route is something that should always be celebrated. London Southend Airport, is located just east of London and offers onward links to destinations such as Amsterdam, Prague, Lyon and Dublin and can be the gateway for passengers travelling anywhere on the East Coast of England.

This route is clearly designed for the leisure market, but an additional option for business travellers can only be a good thing!

I was able to join Blue Islands in the celebration of this route, as a passenger on their special trial flight ahead of the route officially commencing on 20th May. The airline kindly provided transfers into the city. However, as is usually the case, I decided to be a bit different.

On arrival, the luggage was a short wait and it was very easy in the compact airport to be on our way quickly. You certainly don’t find yourself doubling back down tiny corridors just to get out of the terminal.

I am an Essex girl at heart, so hired a car and drove home! Europcar are the only car hire provider in the terminal, but they offered hire options for nervous Guernsey Smart Car drivers as well as larger families and groups.

The flight times were sociable, no bleary eyed red eye travel outbound, or that Sunday scrabble to reset before work starts again on the way back. I took a single day off work and didn’t even need to adjust my alarm time to be in Clacton On Sea in time for a penguin biscuit by the sea. The return flight didn’t leave me feeling like I’d lost out on a day, allowing a leisurely departure time from Essex and a stress free drive with minimal traffic.

Families will be delighted that this route allows easy access to Centre Parcs Elveden, National Trust Standen and London Zoo in under 2 hours.

The ATR 72 covering this route is suited to the arrival airport. London Southend Airport was well equipped to handle Blue Islands, and the flight time of just over an hour feels pretty standard to most frequent flyers from Guernsey.

This additional route from Blue Islands highlights their continued commitment to our air links and I would encourage passengers travelling into or away from London to take advantage of this route and its good value fares.

Naomi Solomons

Competition winner  

We had a great time and stayed in the new Premier Inn on the sea front which had a great restaurant Brewers Fayre and bar. My late Pop's family is originally  from Amhurst Road, London and moved down to Southend on Sea when my Pop was a little boy.

My Pop met my Nan in Southend while she was away, she's was a Guernsey girl sadly neither are with us now. We still have family in Southend on Sea and spent an amazing day with my family members Aunty Ann and Great Aunty Esther who turned 90 years old last week!!! My Husband Danny and I went to my Aunty Esther house and saw lots of great photos from many generations. Then my Aunty Ann took us to see the house my Pop grew up in and his old school when he was a little boy, we even picked up my Aunty Ann's grandchildren from the same school. We saw the haunts my Pop hung out in one being the Kursaal and the stories to go with them!!! To finish of a great day we were shown around Southend on Sea and Old Leigh and New Leigh and learnt about the fishing trade etc.

The second day we has lots of fun in the various bars and even did some retail shopping!!!! We had a wonderful meal at San Fairie Ann a very unique place and a must if you ever go as the food and service was first class.

On the Saturday we couldn't get on the pier as the wind was so strong it was dangerous so they closed it for the public's safety that was one thing we really wanted to do which was a shame we couldn't. We can't thank you enough Blue Islands for our free flights to London Southend, it was fun (even though I'm a terrible flyer) on the way back the lounge area in the airport was relaxing with eateries and a few shops. A very relaxing and quick route either to stay in Southend on Sea or catch a train right outside the airport to go further afield if you wished 😁

P.S. if you want a beach holiday with kids look no further it has everything on the beach front from crazy golf, arcades, mimi go-carts to roller coasters and more.

Rob Shipman

Competition winner  

London Southend Airport was easy to use both on arrival and on departures. The car hire desk was easy to find and it was easy to get out of the airport and back to it as well.

Perfect for exploring outer London, Kent and Essex over a weekend.

I would defiantly consider using this route when travelling to London or Europe as it's an EasyJet hub as well.

Emma Duff

Competition winner  

Friday we stayed in Stratford at the Travelodge a short walk from Westfield shopping center, we walked around the Olympic Park it was great that was right next to the shopping, it was all nice and clean and well laid out. There were so many shops and great restaurants and bars that stayed open until 11 you really could stay there all day. We ate at Wagamamas which was yummy. 

Saturday we got the tube into London very easy, for us it was straight to Holborn station change train then 2 stops to our hotel in Tavistock Square really did only take about 20 mins.

We did a bit of shopping Saturday but then went to Gordon’s the oldest wine bar in London, they only serve wine and cheese and it’s all lit by candles if your lucky enough to get a seat in the dark cellar area. We spent a few hours in here a def must for wine and cheese lovers.

We ate at Wright Brothers a seafood restaurant in Soho in the evening, really like Soho lots of people around and nice atmosphere. 

Sunday we had breakfast then got the tube back to Stratford to go to London Southend Airport, we could check in when we got there, as it was early we hopped in a taxi 5 mins to get KFC for the kids.  Great bar/restaurant in the airport and Costa Coffee too. The whole weekend went very smoothly.  

Charles Coyle

Trafalgar Leisure  

After arriving at the Stratford Westfield centre, we decided to go for a quick lunch - you are truly spoilt for choice for quick dining and leisurely table service. As we were using our time for a shopping break we opted for a quick bite at Mcdonalds!

Then we started our shopping, starting at ZARA men, a shop we love, after this we headed to H&M, River Island, Topman and finally Primark for our basics.

After 5 hours shopping we headed back to the Holiday Inn which was at the entrance to the Shopping mall, dropped the bags off, quick shower and headed out for dinner.

Back to Westfield which is 20 steps from the hotel we went this time to World of Foods on level 3 for a steak dinner at the steak house.

Then off we went to the cinema, AMAZING experience and a PROPER cinema and so reasonable at £6.99 any film, any day, any time!

Next morning we got up and had breakfast at the Holiday Inn - buffet style, full English or continental for only £9.99, to set us up for another full day of shopping!

At a slower pace this time as the mall is open from 9am to 9pm - we knew we had no need to rush and took our time covering the ground level before stopping for lunch at KF, it may sound like we are fast food addicts, but as we don’t have them in Guernsey – this is our treat!

After lunch we headed to level 1 again and visited a few more shops, great choices and as we stayed at the Holiday Inn we took bags back to the room when it got too much!

Saturday night, we decided to try the Chinese street food area and go to the cinema again.

It was such a relaxed trip and we got all our Summer wardrobe sorted without having to head to central London as all major retailers where actually in Westfield, such a busy, vibrant place. Great to sit with a coffee and people watch as well- which we done whilst resting from shopping.

Stratford really is ideal for a shopping break, I would absolutely recommend this route for it and the location of the Holiday Inn was perfect.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience it, London Southend airport is such a spacious and not too busy airport- only a short walk to the rail station with direct links to central London, it made our trip so smooth with its seamless connections to Stratford.

Shaunie Gallienne

Co-operative Travelmaker 

We had an amazing weekend in London!

Friday afternoon we had lunch at one of the many restaurants in Westfield Stratford, we couldn't believe the size of the complex! We then did a bit of shopping - it would of been rude not to.

Saturday we made our way into central London, the train was so easy and only took around 20mins to arrive at Westminster Station. We then took our little girl to the aquarium, followed by lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and a little trip to Hamley's before getting the train back.

I was so impressed with Westfield Stratford, it was a shopper's paradise and the train links to central London worked so easily. I will definitely be returning and using the train service from London Southend Airport.

Southend Airport was such a stress free experience. From landing to our coach in less then 15mins was a joy especially with a baby in tow. There were no long walks to the departure gate and no long queues for security, the overall experience was great.