From it's 18th-century origins as the "South End" of Prittlewell Parish,  Southend has expanded dramatically in size over it's 300 years. Southend now includes six separate parishes. Prittlewell, Leigh on Sea, Eastwood, Southchurch and South and North Shoebury.

The Royal Terrace (built in 1793) got it's name after Princess Caroline arrived in Southend in 1803 and stayed in what was then called the Grand Terrace for three months. Shortly after in 1805, Nelson's mistress, Lady Hamilton also stayed in Royal Terrace.

The guest house in Royal Terrace is named after the famous Pier. Sir John Betjeman (English poet, writer and broadcaster) said that "The Pier is Southend, Southend is the Pier."

To this day the grade II listed building with the famous train running the 1.33 miles is the longest pleasure Pier in the World.

In the photo of the pier on the right you can see in the distance (top left) buildings on the Royal Terrace.