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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to go to Southend on Saturday during heatwave?

35 replies

Sandrine1982 · 11/08/2022 06:04

posting here for traffic mainly.

I live near Barking and I'm thinking of taking my 2 year old on a day trip to the beach in Chalkwell / Southend on Sea on Saturday. But it's going to be 35 *C !!

I haven't been to Southend in a while so I have no idea how busy it gets these days. Can people post their experiences? How busy are the c2c trains? Will the beach be completely packed?
will it the trip be a nightmare with a buggy?

thanks in advance.

:)

OP posts:
Ebonyhorse · 11/08/2022 06:12

That’s extremely hot, why would you want to subject a two year old to that weather?!

SavoirFlair · 11/08/2022 06:14

I haven't been to Southend in a while so I have no idea how busy it gets these days.

how busy is “busy” and what would actually put you off?

How busy are the c2c trains?

at what time are you prepared to travel in order to take advantage of fewer people?

Will the beach be completely packed?

at what time do you want to be there? Then I can tell you.

will it the trip be a nightmare with a buggy?

….. depends on time…

SavoirFlair · 11/08/2022 06:14

Ebonyhorse · 11/08/2022 06:12

That’s extremely hot, why would you want to subject a two year old to that weather?!

I completely agree.

Somanysocks · 11/08/2022 06:18

Rest assured it will be heaving. And hot.

Original poster
Sandrine1982 · 11/08/2022 06:21

We would go around 10am and head back about 5 or 6pm.

I know 35*C is hot. I come from a country that gets similar temperatures regularly. Daughter would have a shaded buggy .. parasol .... we'd be swimming... otherwise in shade...

But I'm still not sure if this is all a good idea..

OP posts:
lothermand · 11/08/2022 06:25

It'll be heaving..go down towards Shoebury where it's less busy. You're so close to home, you can leave when you like. I think a lot of locals go by car, so trains shouldn't be too bad..

DDivaStar · 11/08/2022 06:27

Personally when it gets hot a crowded beach is the last place I want to be.

I'm lucky to have a garden so at home with shade access to cold drinks, loo etc much more comfortable.

DontKeepTheFaith · 11/08/2022 06:46

We are going to Southend for the night Saturday. We will get there early and mostly walk, Leigh on sea for lunch and toward shoeburyness later in the day. We’ve got meals booked and will try to avoid the crowded bits as best we can. Need to do the pier though.

We don’t have kids with us though, if I did I would probably stay home and only venture to the beach early morning or late in the day.

MrPakora · 11/08/2022 06:51

Horrible idea

CaramelWaferAndTea · 11/08/2022 07:34

I’ve done that trip lots with toddlers. It’s possible.

However, you say that you come from a hot country - in a hot country typically small children are not outside 12-3. I am contemplating taking the children this weekend but leaving when they wake up and then coming home during the lunchtime nap, so we will arrive at 8 and leave by 12 at the latest. Is that an option?

balalake · 11/08/2022 07:36

There is a train strike on Saturday, not sure if C2C is affected.

There are three more weeks of school holidays and often pleasant weekends in September for such a trip.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 11/08/2022 07:37

Aren't there rail strikes on Saturday? Might be worth checking.

hairycabbage · 11/08/2022 07:40

There are rail strikes on Saturday and I don't think any overground trains are running in London

greenbirdsong · 11/08/2022 07:43

I was there yesterday. It was horrendously busy.

Weekend will be worse and even hotter.

Up to you. But I wouldn't go personally.

Fair also on in chalkwell adding more people to the mix.

KilmordenCastle · 11/08/2022 07:54

Ugh no it will be heaving, boiling hot, no shade, long queues for dirty toilets etc. My idea of hell with a toddler personally.

Wait until its not so hot.

twilightcafe · 11/08/2022 07:58

You and half of east London will have the same idea to go to Southend. The beach and trains will be really crowded. I doubt it will be fun.

BarbaraofSeville · 11/08/2022 07:58

I'd go early and come back after 2/3 hours. Thankfully most people go at the same time later on so if you can get up and go out early, it's not as crowded or hot and I wouldn't have thought a 2 YO would want to stay there all day anyway.

Thefruitbatdancer · 11/08/2022 08:04

Is there a train strike this Saturday and will you be affected? Check first.

Bad idea, I went to Brighton once when it was around 28 degrees and it was really busy. There were queues for everything, loos, ice creams & cafes etc. I wouldn't go with a 2 Yr old, it'll be uncomfortable for them. Their skin is much more delicate than adult skin so prolonged exposure to the sun without shade isn't ideal.

Pack a picnic and head to the woods, it'll be lovely and cool and less busy.

Bubblegum88 · 11/08/2022 08:09

Train strike does affect C2C so you should be fine with that . . . But it might be busy because the other line into Southend (greater anglia) is striking!
As for beaches Chalkwell beach is always busy as is city beach in the centre of Southend near adventure island and sealife etc. I would personally avoid those beaches! If you want a more quiet beach go for Thorpe Bay beach - but not where the beach huts are.
I live here and have similar age kids and would never go to the beach on days like that. In fact I avoid the seafront like the plague when the sun comes out!

Bubblegum88 · 11/08/2022 08:10

Bubblegum88 · 11/08/2022 08:09

Train strike does affect C2C so you should be fine with that . . . But it might be busy because the other line into Southend (greater anglia) is striking!
As for beaches Chalkwell beach is always busy as is city beach in the centre of Southend near adventure island and sealife etc. I would personally avoid those beaches! If you want a more quiet beach go for Thorpe Bay beach - but not where the beach huts are.
I live here and have similar age kids and would never go to the beach on days like that. In fact I avoid the seafront like the plague when the sun comes out!

should say doesn’t affect c2c . . .

UncomfortableSilence · 11/08/2022 08:10

The strike isn't affecting C2C on Saturday but they have said they expect trains to be busier than usual as they are accepting Greater Anglia tickets too.

It will be heaving, maybe try Shoebury or Thorpe Bay which was quieter when we were there, I would also leave early and come home at lunchtime like a PP said.

PerfectRun · 11/08/2022 08:12

I wouldn't go into Southend Centre, I'd head for Chalkwell or Southchurch.

Original poster
Sandrine1982 · 11/08/2022 10:36

The reason I want to go to the beach is because DD really loves swimming in the sea, and so do I. I'd happily go in the morning but the high tide is around 2pm, and you can't really swim there when the tide is low, as far as I can remember?

Also is Chalkwell busier than Westcliff beach?

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 11/08/2022 10:46

It will be very busy but I would recommend either getting to Chalkwell EARLY and getting a good spot. Or, if you go to Southend, walk past all the arcades and towards the sealife centre - the beach is much, much emptier.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 11/08/2022 10:52

No.