THESE days Adventure Island in Southend is one of the best theme parks in the country, attracting thousands of daytrippers.
Many will remember the heady days of Peter Pan's Playground, memories which endure with many children of the 1970s and 1980s.
At that time, the theme park was contained on the western side of the pier, opposite the old Fisherman's Wharf and Never Never Land (who remembers that?)
On the eastern side of the pier, off Marine Parade, there was a boating lake where many families took a gentle ride on the boats while taking in the sea air.
In the 1990s, under the council's Lib Dem and Labour administration, Stockvale Group - the company behind Peter Pan's - expanded into the boating lake area.
It was then developed into what Adventure Island is today.
From 1977 to 1985 a miniature railway ran around the boating lake.
Our picture looks up towards the Palace Hotel with the Golden Hind, too.
The Golden Hind was constructed from 1947 and opened in 1949 together with a waxworks.
The ship was replaced by a replica of Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge. This was demolished in 2013
Send us your pictures evoking memories of Southend
Let us know your best memories and send us your pictures
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel