NEVER NEVER LAND: Remembering the Childhood Magic of Southend-on-Sea
If you grew up in Southend or visited during the 20th century, the name Never Never Land likely conjures up images of glowing castles, fire-breathing dragons, and a sense of magic that felt entirely separate from the “real world” just outside its gates.
While the park as we knew it is gone, the land it occupied remains one of the most nostalgic spots on the seafront. Here is the story of Southend’s lost fantasy world.
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The History of Never Never Land, Southend
The Golden Era (1935–1972)
Opened in 1935 in the area known as “The Shrubbery,” the park was inspired by the magic of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. By the 1950s, it had become the jewel of the seafront. At night, thousands of multicoloured lights transformed the cliffs into a miniature world of goblins, fairies, and nursery rhyme characters. A model railway snaked through the trees, and no one could forget the legendary smoke-breathing dragon!
However, by 1972, tastes were shifting toward “white-knuckle” thrill rides, and the gates were closed for the first time.
The High-Tech Revival (1987–2001)
After 15 years as an open park, the council invested £250,000 to bring the magic back. This version featured holographic “talking heads” and the famous Giant Gulliver (who now stands guard at the entrance to Adventure Island).
It was during this time that Peter Pan’s Playground next door rebranded as Adventure Island (1995)—though like most locals, I still find myself calling it by the old name!
The Final Closure and the “Ghost” Years
Sadly, high maintenance costs and vandalism took their toll, and the attraction closed for the final time in January 2001. After a year of decommissioning—where the lights and characters were carefully removed—the security fences were pulled back in 2002/2003.
The site was integrated back into the Southend Cliff Gardens as a free public walk. For many of us, those early years were bittersweet; it was lovely to see some of the Never Never Land features again, but it felt like a “stripped-out” version of the wonderland we remembered.
A Southend promotional video from the 90s sends us back to a time of Never Never Land in all its glory. Pure 90s nostalgia.
Never Never Land Today
I visit Southend often, and I still make a point of stopping at Never Never Land. For years, I felt that one day it would be gone forever, and I always wanted to capture “one last photo” before it disappeared.
However, 2025 was a great year for local heritage! The Shrubbery Garden (including the remnants of Never Never Land) was granted Grade II listed status by Historic England, protecting it for future generations.
Today, the site is a public park, but if you look closely, the “ghosts” of the attraction are still there:
- The Fairy Castle: An original concrete castle that still stands near the entrance.
- The Waterfall: Though now more of a trickle, the structure remains.
Summer transforms the attraction as nature flourishes over the fairytale ruins, with the sun catching the algae-dappled waters to create a truly enchanting look.
The grandeur might be gone, along with the characters and the model railway, but these remnants are a beautiful memory of what once was.
Where is Never Never Land in Southend?
Never Never Land is located at the bottom on the steep, wooded hillside of The Shrubbery on Western Esplanade in Southend-on-Sea. Situated directly across the road from the beach and just west of Adventure Island and the Southend Pier.
The Future: Never Say Never
There is exciting news on the horizon! As part of the Southend Civic Pride Action Plan, the city council is working on a redevelopment project to breathe new life into the site. While it won’t be a direct replica of the old park, the plan is to create a modernised, illuminated walk that honours that original “enchanted forest” vibe.
Do you have any old photos of the dragon or the castles from back in the day? I’d love to see them – drop a comment below and share your favourite Never Never Land memory!
Looking for things to do in Southend? Why not head over to our Ultimate Guide to Southend-on-Sea: More Than Just A Beach Town