A-Z of Southend delves into the history of the Essex coastal town of Southend-on-Sea. Originally Southend was a small collection of buildings at the south end of the village of Prittlewell, but in the late eighteenth century the area became popular as a resort. Famous visitors followed in the next century, including Lady Hamilton and Princess Caroline, wife of George IV, and Southend is mentioned in the writings of Jane Austen and, later, H. G. Wells in The War of the Worlds. The town grew rapidly as a popular seaside resort, benefitting from its proximity to London, and is particularly famed for having the longest leisure pier in the world. Today it is a busy town, and the nearby Southend Airport is one of the major airports serving London. This fascinating A-Z tour of Southend's history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this Essex town.
