can't comment on all the oop north stuff but like the others said, stay away from Stansted (miserable buggers!).
Southend (the airfield) is fine, good, helpful ATC, easy to spot from the air (the pier and the river roach both point at the airfield) and loads of rivers, coast line and other easy visual refs. Southend Radar / Approach on 130.77 is very usefull, even from a long way out, as a lot of local flying occurs on that frequency.
As for Sarfend ( the town, or Taaan as the locals say!), well its like blackpool with essex girls!
Local flying is pretty good. On a clear day a flight up the thames to the QE2 bridge gives a pretty good view of the city, although you'll need to turn smartish after the bridge to avoid city airport's airspace.