Every day shopping is well catered for within Southend, with the Royals Shopping Centre and the Victoria Plaza playing host to a number of high street chain stores together with independent outlets. Waitrose, Sainsbury and Tesco also have large stores within easy reach.

The area is full of natural beauty from the award-winning Jubilee beach, stretching from Southend Pier to Thorpe Bay and its collection of pretty beach huts, through to the numerous parks and gardens throughout the area; ideal for enjoying the open air on a weekend.

Thorpe Bay is in the perfect location for travel, be it local, national or international. Commuting from Thorpe Bay station, just over half a mile away, into London’s Fenchurch Street Station is popular, with journey times from 58 minutes. Road travellers have the the benefit of the nearby A127 and A13 with direct routes to the M25, around half an hour away, and via the A13, London's Docklands, thereby providing flexibility for individual travel. Chelmsford is around 20 minutes away, under clear driving conditions, with Colchester a further 20 minutes. International travellers have the option of flights from either London City Airport, approximately 35 miles away, or Stansted, around 40 miles distant.