Amlin Entertainment, Spielberg's company, also owns this stadium. It's also known as Water-cressing…read moreRoad, because it's where salad was invented, specifically watercress. And Mustard Cressing Road of course. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I've yet to see a game at this stadium, but Dave and I toured all of the Essex and London stadiums a few years ago and this was a pretty decent shiny and new one. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** Braintree play here, and their tiny stadium is also known as Cressing Road can only hold 4,500 people, and only 500 of them can be seated. I wonder if there might be a heart-tree or even a genital-tree next to the brain-tree, though.

Ashton playing fields are great on numerous levels…read more There is a great astro-turf pitch; which is great for a variety of sports. Most commonly people play football, rugby and American football on there. They also have a big grassed area further on. The real attraction comes with the athletics track which is to a professional standard and size - and it's very well kept, in great condition. There is also a hall which is great for events- I DJ'ed a party there once and I've also been to a wedding reception there. It's great when you find a venue like this that's so multi-functional. When I was a kid my football team used to train there, when I was a teen we used to hang out there, when I was a bit older I used to DJ there - it's weird, I'd never thought about it until now but this place has been a part of my life through the ages!. Which is, I realise, a profoundity that is of no interest to any of you. Anyways, the main point is - if you're into sports and need somewhere to train; Ashton Playing Fields is a great place to go. And if you need a hall for an event; the unusually circular shaped hall could be just the place.

I think back in the Clint Eastwood movies, the houses were amazing. Yes I definitely prefer those…read moreold "Weston Homes." First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I've seen one game only at Keepmoat, and I was very very impressed by how shiny and new and state-of-the-art it is. It also has a very cool name. I came here with my friend Jo and we also went ot an Ipswich game. She's a sort-of fan of both teams and knew people there so it was really lovely to be with a genuine local. I was impressed by both stadiums and gave them both 4. I am pretty sure it was 2005 when I saw a game here, although I visited the stadium twice since, in 2011 and 2014. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** In any case, this is a brand new stadium with nice facilities, so congrats to the town for building it. On the other hand, it has open corners and is very nondescript and nothing special, so I definitely wouldn't give it more than a 3 and it doesn't create much atmosphere though it does look symmetrical which is, maybe, sort of, nice. Also it's kind of out in the middle of nowhere.

Great modern football stadium. New & clean facilities, great also for disabled spectators. Good for…read moreother uses such as meetings and functions. Match days here are always a high standard.

Romford Dog Stadium has always been a good evening out. I've been here with friends a few times and…read moreit's always great fun! I'm not a big gambler so I always only put £2 on per race. It's a nice place to come with friends and I also see lots of families here. Drinks are cheap, good bar selection and there's food available if you get a bit hungry. Always a friendly atmosphere. Entry fee is low but luckily for me I've never had to pay entry as I know a few people who work there, so I get on the VIP list ;) Staff are quite pleasant (even when I told the guy on the betting booth that he looks like Frodo Baggins from LOTR) and will have to organise a evening here again soon!

Well, where to begin. In terms of cultural experiences, this is definitely an interesting…read moreexperience! I guess that I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but the drinks were cheap (two beers and two mixed drinks for ten pounds). To view the races you either have to stand outside or watch it on the screen inside. The betting lines were quite short even on a Saturday night. It's not exactly a clean venue, but what can one expect? It's the kind of place that serves drinks in plastic cups and has small children about well into the night! While we had a good evening, I wouldn't make this a regular occurrence. Though if you want to experience Essex life or a different side to English culture, this is an interesting place!

I've only ever been here once as a guest, and that was to watch football, play snooker and drink…read morecheap beer. For all of the above, this is the perfect place! The drinks are very cheap indeed, but don't go expecting salubrious surroundings, this is what a proper village club should be, down to earth and social! They have the odd event on, including an annual beer festival, and I think it's available to hire for private parties. There are two distinct areas of the club too, so you can sit and do the bingo with the olds or watch the footy and play snooker with the boys.

This is favourite place in Southend. The ancient house has been vamped up to form an informative…read moretour of different parts of It's history.The beauty of the walled gardens is breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil. Other spots are wild and tadpole and frog hunts in the small are organised - only educational and observation. There's a big play area and bandstand with bands sometimes and a quite good cafe. Football and tennis activities bike riding and joggers around. But the best part is the cultural and age mix from ladies and parents to the elderly all out to enjoy themselves and dogs properly under control.WONDERFUL !!!!

Priory Park is a huge park just outside of Southend. If you have kids its a must as there is loads…read moreof space for them to run about and play including a large kids playground! Although its not only kids that would enjoy it, the park features a walled garden with bedding displays and borders with climbing roses and shrubs, as well as the 12th Century Priory Museum. Some parts of a Cluniac monastrey still remain forming part of the museum. Walking around the park the amount of wildlife you see is amazing! From the ducks and swans on the pond, to the rats and voles running around the edge of the pond and the squirrels running across the path in front of you! Park opening times vary throughout the year, depending on the time of the year obviously being open later during the Summer compared to the Winter. Entry to the park and museum as well as all the facilities apart from the cafe are free so its a nice cheap day out too!! Facilities Include Basketball Courts Bowling Cafe/Restaurant Childrens Playground Fishing (Although you do need a licence) Football Pitches Museum Parking Picnic Area Tennis Courts Toilets Nature Reserve The Walled Garden Large Pond (Great for feeding the ducks with the kids!)

Originally the Player's Club was the Premier friday night spot in East Ham (ok so it was the only…read moreFriday night spot in East Ham). You'd have to ensure to get there by 10pm in order to get in (security lock the gates when they reach capacity). The dress code was classy, the music would keep you rocking until chucking out time, and if you just fancied grabbing a leather couch and people watching you could. Thisngshave changed a bit since the early days - the club has now been renamed and the clientele is a litte rougher than before. Still - the music is as good as ever, and it's a great way to start a local night on the town. Worth passing by if you're ever in the neighbourhood.

Southchurch Hall and gardens have so much potential and could be a really special place…read more Unfortunately the gardens are too often full of people having one too many drinks, at times the rats are a little too obvious (used to be known locally as the Duck Park, now more commonly the Rat Park) and the water in the ponds is stagnant. Having said that the gardens are beautiful and fantastically maintained - I had my photos before my wedding taken there. The Hall can be used for weddings but only seats maybe 30 people. There is some interesting history and displays inside but again not used to full advantage - and not open many days. Do some excellent seasonal events there though e.g. Victorian Christmas days

Lovely setting hidden between the houses on Southchurch Road, you wouldn't even know it was there…read more A quiet park with a large duck pond although not that well kempt. The museum is a slice of history and weddings can be held here too. Southend Shakespeare often perform on the clearing in the summer - a must visit!