Here are Basildon and Southend's twin towns in Europe

We’ve had a look at what our twin towns have to offer so you can visit them once we’re able to travel after the coronavirus pandemic.

Town twinning was conceived after the Second World War in 1947, with the intention of fostering friendship and understanding amongst different cultures.

Basildon is twinned with two towns – Heiligenhaus in Germany and Meaux in France.

Basildon sign

Heiligenhaus, Germany

Heiligenhaus is a small town between Essen and Dusseldorf in the North Rhine Westphalia region.

People have been living in Heiligenhaus since the Roman times but the town grew siginifcantly after the end of World War Two as new homes and schools were built for people that had lost their homes.

Basildon has a long tradition of attending the town’s annual football tournament at Whitsun.

Groups from Basildon also attend darts, canoeing and handball events in their twin town.

Mo Larkin met some young people from Heiligenhaus, Germany, through the Twinning Association

Each year, Basildon sends a group to a “Stadtfest” music and beer festival, to promote Basildon and local English goods and companies.

Meaux, France

Meaux is situated 25 miles north east from the centre Paris and stands on the banks of the River Marne.

Around 51,000 people live in the ancient town.

In the heart of the town lies the beautiful Meaux Cathedral.

Meaux is famous for its brie cheese and locally made mustard.

The town become famous as the site where the German advance towards Paris was halted at the Battle of The Marne in 1914.

It’s home to the Museum de la Grande Guerre, the world’s largest World War One museum in the world.

People of Basildon, Heiligenhaus and Meaux came together to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the war

Noted for its art and culture, Meaux holds exhibitions and festivals throughout the year.

Basildon is invited to send a stand to their Christmas Fayre to promote their goods.

Football and rugby players from Basildon have also been invited to join their sport tours.

Southend has been twinned with Sopot in Poland since October 1999.

Sopot, Poland

Sopot is situated in the north of the country on the Baltic coast.

It’s one of the smallest but also one of the most beautiful Polish towns.

Chase High School, Westcliff, visit the Sopot’s deputy mayor and delegates visiting the school for lunch with Sally Carr

Sopot is known for it’s beaches, pubs, restaurants and hotels – an attractive spot for summer holidays.

Both Southend and Sopot have a pier that is the pride of the town.

Tourists only have to take a four hour train to get to Poland’s capital, Warsaw.