Best Beaches near(ish) to Southend?

[prairiegirl81]

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend a nice - preferably sandy beach to keep four kids (10, 8, 8, 5) happy all day? We've just come back from Kent and they loved it, but it's just too far for us to do more often (we live in East London). I've taken them to some Essex beaches before and we've found pebble-land, it wasn't popular! I know there are some beautiful beaches in Essex, do any of you locals know where? Many thanks, x

I was just coming on to ask the same question!
We have only Been to Southend beach but it gets so busy (and is a bit bleugh when the tide goes out)
Hopefully Someone will be along soon

Generally further away from London, nicer the beach is, so Thorpe Bay and East Beach in Shoebury is where we go...