A replica Spanish galleon ship transformed into a floating museum is visiting Southend Pier at the end of May.

The 200ft long ship called “El Galeon” will be docked at the end of the pier and open to visitors between 10.30am to 7pm between Wednesday May 24 and Monday May 29.

Museum staff in period costume will be on the ship to tell visitors more about life on the ship.

Echo: Inside the El Galeon shipInside the El Galeon ship (Image: Southend Council)

The museum is a full-size replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon, which was designed and built to hold more cargo than previous ship designs. Because of this, it is often described as the ship that brought the two halves of the world (east and west) together.

The visit comes following the recent announcement Southend Pier won the prestigious Pier of the Year award from the National Piers Society, earlier this month.

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Scott Dolling, Southend's director for culture and tourism, said: “This really is an exceptional educational experience to learn more about life on a Spanish Galleon and experience aspects of it first-hand, whilst listening to information from the experts.

Echo: Another look inside the shipAnother look inside the ship (Image: Galeón Andalucía/Nao Victoria Foundation)

“It’s a great way to start the half-term holiday or celebrate the late May bank holiday by doing something completely different, as if visiting an award-winning pier isn’t enough of a treat as it is.”

Tickets to board the ship are on a first come, first served basis and will cost £25 for a family ticket (for up to two adults and three children), £10 per adult, £5 per child (aged five to 12 years) and children under five go free.

Visitors will also need to pay the usual pier admission price.