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The herd has arrived!
From 14th July - 4th September, Southend will have some special guests! Herd in the city is a fundraising event, raising vital funds and awareness for Haven's hospice
46 large elephant sculptures and 72 baby elephants have been placed in different locations around Southend, Leigh-On-Sea and Shoeburyness. Each elephant has its own unique design created by local and national artists, plus schools and community groups.
Here's everything you need to know about the trail
- You can download the 'Herd in the City' app from the App Store or Google play for £1.99 and use the map to navigate your way through the trail. Collect unique 4-digit codes from each sculpture to unlock rewards! The app also shows you what elephants are nearby.
- If you would like a trail map, you can get one at the following locations for a suggested donation of £1
• Herd HQ - (Located in The Royals Shopping Centre)
• Havens Hospices Charity Shops
- You can start anywhere you like and of course, it doesn't all have to be completed in one day
- Large elephants are accessible at all times however small elephants are located indoors so check opening times beforehand if you want to see the small ones too.
Getting around
As the trail is spread from Leigh to Shoeburyness, it is likely that you will either use public transport or drive between the trail. Particularly with young children, we decided to separate the trail into four/five areas which we will visit whilst out and about in the holidays.
Southend Town - The elephants are spread out across the high street and down towards the seafront. The further towards Westcliff being outside Thames Yacht Club and in the other direction, near Southchurch Park. We used our Southend parking pass to park on the seafront so we could have a visit to Adventure Inside on the way back but there are plenty of car parks to choose from here.
Whilst you're there...
- Southend Central Museum - If you have walked up this far from the town centre, stop and have a wander around the museum. You can find 5 large elephants and 8 smaller ones nearby.
- The Ironworks - Lots of small elephants here and a perfect place to have a break and stop for a coffee or small bites. Also with a children's play area!
- The Forum - More baby elephants in here and why not tie in with a quick stop in the library for the summer reading challenge!
- Ye Olde Chippy - You'll find 'Clowning about' just over the road and a great place to stop for lunch along with a bit of free soft play! (Read our review here)
- Indie Rock - Stop for a little bit of soft play/rock climbing or even just in the coffee shop and let the kids play in the play area
- Adventure Island/Adventure Inside - If you go on a rainy day like we did, take shelter in Adventure Inside soft play, ideal for all ages.
- Southchurch Park - You'll find 'Marina' just over the road so an excuse to pop over to the park too!
Priory Park - There are three elephants located in this area so you may want to get back in the car/bus or do these on a separate occasion to the ones located on the beach/high street. Priory Park is a perfect location to spend a few hours so you can make the most of the trip once you have seen the elephants and the cafe is lovely too!
Leigh-On-Sea - These are mostly dotted around The Broadway, Leigh Road and Old Leigh so once you have parked, you can easily walk to see them all in one go. If you are longer than a couple of hours, you may want to park in Elm Road car park, located behind the Community Centre. This is a Southend City council run car park and you can use the Southend Parking pass if you have one.
Where to stop on the way
- Library Gardens - Perfect for a picnic and a play in the park
- Leigh Library - Another opportunity to stop off for the summer reading challenge
- Piggy went to market -Perfect place to stop on the Broadway for a coffee or bite to eat
- Wilma's Bakery - With 'Ecophant' just around the corner, I highly recommend a visit to Wilma's. Serving the best cupcakes, brownies and drinks and one of the must visits in Leigh
- The Essex Soft Play- Small soft play for under 5's with food and drinks being served from Egg Bro's downstairs
- The Phabulous Cafe - Located on Leigh Road, you'll find Elovephant and 4 smaller elephants close by!
- The Hatch - Stop off in Old Leigh for a coffee or an ice-cream and find lots of baby elephants inside!
Shoeburyness -
The elephants are more spread out across Shoeburyness than any other location so its worth knowing where you can stop off during the trail. Some points of interest are
- Shoebury Common Park - One of our favourites, with lots of play equipment perfect for all ages
- Shoebury East Beach- Lovely, often quiet beach with a park too
- Parsons Barn - You can't really go wrong with a Wetherspoons for a pit stop!
- Serendipity Cafe - A lovely cafe nestled within the Garrison, open every day of the week.
If you are using the app, you can upload your photos or tag Herd in the City on Instagram. We would love to see your pictures too!
Would you like to take home your own elephant? Enter the Herd In The City Raffle to take home part of the trail! You could win a beautiful baby elephant, Stellarphant, plus other fantastic prizes in the Herd In The City raffle. Find out more at www.herdinthe.city/raffle
Herd In The City is supporting Havens Hospices, raising vital funds for your local children's and adult's hospice. The money raised through Herd In The City will help Little Havens to support families to make every day of their lives count.
