How Southend became cool – unlikely seaside town dubbed ‘a slice of Miami’ is now a magnet for British celebs

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA has become an unlikely hotspot for some of the UK's best-known TV personalities.

The Essex town has seen a surge in popularity, thanks to its colourful beach huts, award-winning hotels and stunning coastline.

Dubbed the British Miami by fans because of its long golden beaches, the town often welcomes celebrity visitors.

Fool Me Once actress Michelle Keegan spent her first Mother's Day as a mum, at the Roslin Beach Hotel on Thorpe Bay.

On Sunday 30 March, Michelle was spotted there with her husband, Mark Wright and their new baby, Palma, as well as other family members including Jess Wright.

They aren't the only ones; the Roslin Beach Hotel has also opened its doors to Gary Barlow, Tyson Fury, Denise van Outen, and TOWIE stars including Frankie Essex, who have all visited.

And it will no doubt continue to draw in high-profile visitors as it is about to undergo a £10million makeover.

Currently, the Roslin Beach Hotel has 37 bedrooms, but with the extension, it will have an extra seven rooms.

They also want to add a spa, a new wedding venue, and add outdoor restaurant facilities.

In The Times, writer Cathy Adams wrote: “Our first stop is Southend, one of the UK’s newest cities, and the Roslin Beach Hotel — a slice of Miami on the seafront of Thorpe Bay.”

Thorpe Bay is a popular spot and much quieter than the main other beaches as it's away from the main strip.

One of the more popular areas along the coast is the Three Shells Beach, which is the closest beach to the pier and a little busier.

Three Shells Beach is popular with families because of its shallow lagoons, allowing children to paddle safely.

Also along the coast is the Thames Estuary Yacht Club; the clubhouse sits right on the water's edge in Westcliff-on-Sea with stunning sea views.

The Roslin Beach Hotel's own restaurant is Two AA Rosette award-winning and received a Visit England Rose Award.

Elsewhere, the ‘Food in Southend' restaurant was on the Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants in 2024.

They offer seasonal menus where you can enjoy two courses for £28, or three for £35.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “First-class restaurant, easily the best in Leigh. I had the chef's signature tasting menu, and everything was faultless.”

As for sweet treats, Southend also has an award-winning ice cream parlour called Rossi.

Steeped in history, having started making ice cream in Essex since 1932, the Westcliff parlour has recently undergone a makeover.

Rossi is styled to look like an American diner with white washed walls and a striped awning where they serve what people call the “best ice cream in the world”.

The seaside town is an hour's drive from London, and a 35-minute drive from Chelmsford.

Here's Where British Celebrites Love To Visit

Here are some of the popular celebrity hotspots here in the UK...

Cornwall on the south-west coast of England is a hotbed for celeb spotting. After all the south coast, dubbed the Cornish Riviera, has lots of beautiful backdrops that are ripe for photo opps. Recent visitors have been Peter Andre, who went crabbing on Crantock beach and surfing during his break there with wife Emily and youngest children Theo and Amelia.

Devon is a common holiday destination for celebs. Property guru, Kirstie Allsopp owns a house in the county, while model and TV personality Kelly Brooks is among the celebs who visited the region last summer.

North Wales is known for two things – rugged natural beauty and for attracting a fair share of A-list visitors. Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen have holidayed in the region numerous times. They've also welcomed Andrew Lincoln and his wife Gael Anderson, who went surfing in Snowdonia.