Kids eat free in Southend-on-Sea

The postcode spread here is the first thing worth clocking. SS1, SS2 and SS3 each hold one venue, which means the three sites are strung out east to west rather than clustered in one spot. No single car park gets you all three. Plan a route before you go. Both chains present are Mitchells and Butlers brands: two Toby Carvery restaurants and one Harvester. The Toby Carvery sites run kids eat free year-round, so the roast-and-pudding format is available regardless of term dates. Harvester is different — the chain gates its free children's plates to holiday windows only, so the time of year you visit will change what is on offer at that one site. Three venues total. Spread your map accordingly.

Holiday-only chains in Southend-on-Sea: Harvester, Lounges. These quietly flip in for half-term and summer; outside the school holidays they drop off the list.

Verified by the kidseatfree.co.uk editorial team.