Get your tickets now for unique event taking place on world-famous Pier

September 19, 2021

Image attached of 1939 postcard of Southend Pier.

A unique cultural event is taking place on the iconic Southend Pier this week, celebrating how it became HMS Leigh during World War 2 (WW2).

Find out more about the heroic history of Southend during WW2, how the longest pleasure pier in the world became a naval battle station, and how it remained a secret in plain sight for 76 years after the war ended.

Schools’ events are taking place on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th September from 10am to 4pm, with half-hour slots for up to 120 pupils. A ticketed HMS Leigh community event is also taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September from 10am to 5pm. General public admission to the Pier on these days will be from 5pm to last entry at 7pm.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism says: “This will be a fantastic and unique event that brings some local history and heritage to life, and I am delighted that the council has been able to support it.

“Actors will be there to bring HMS Leigh to life and local schoolchildren and residents will be able to see exhibitions revealing the lives and events of WW2 Southend.

“Please note that access to the Pier from 10am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday will be for school visits and on Saturday and Sunday for those with an HMS Leigh event ticket, so please do get yours now for this unique opportunity to discover more about the fascinating role our Pier played in WW2.”

Tickets for the weekend community event start are £5.60 for children, £7.90 for concessions and £10.20 for adults.

Buy tickets for HMS Leigh - The Bravest Pier in the World | HMS Leigh

Read more about the event on their website