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The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
The Beecroft Art Gallery
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Beecroft
Art Gallery
Opening Times
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11-5
Thursday: 11-5
Friday: 11-5
Saturday: 11-5
Sunday: 11-5
Bank Holidays: Closed
Beecroft Art Gallery has a permanent collection of over 2000 works, ranging from 17th-century Dutch paintings to contemporary works.
The collection includes examples by artists such as Molenaer, Ruisdael and Berchem plus 19th-century artists including Rossetti, Constable and Edward Lear. There are works by Carel Weight, the Great Bardfield Group and Jacob Epstein. The local artist Alan Sorrell is represented by his Drawings of Nubia series depicting a visit to Egypt prior to the building of the Aswan Dam. The Thorpe Smith Collection of local landscape views contains paintings, drawings and prints from as early as 1803.
The gallery has a programme of ever-changing temporary exhibitions and displays presenting pieces from the permanent collection on rotation. The Beecroft Art Gallery is also the home of Southend Museums' Fashion and Textile exhibitions.
Southend Museums Service has been acquiring fashion as part of its social history collection since opening in the 1970s. The collections have subsequently been re-housed at the Beecroft Art Gallery and fashion history exhibitions take place there once a year.
The collections' main strengths are the decades from the 1920s to the 1970s but there are important earlier pieces, most notably a rare, 17th century slap sole shoe. Not surprisingly, beach wear is a major area of collection: in 2009 Southend received a donation of 500 bathing suits from private collector, Mavis Plume. They date from around 1900 to the 1980s and include several rare pieces.
Current Exhibitions
Getting Here
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to Prittlewell Priory is Prittlewell Station on the Greater Anglia line. Those arriving on Southend bound trains should exit the station and turn right onto East Street, those arriving on London bound trains will need to with the station via station approach leading on to East Street. Continue on until you reach the traffic lights and turn right onto Victoria Avenue, after a short downhill walk you will reach a set of traffic lights where Priory Crescent meets Victoria Avenue. Cross Priory Crescent and enter Priory Park.
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Getting Here by BusThe nearest bus stops to Priory park are located on Victoria Avenue and Fairfax drive close the Main Entrances.
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Getting Here by CarThe A127 and A13 link Southend to the M25. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 - 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend is reached via the M25 (Junction 30 - 26 miles) Dartford Tunnel & A13. Parking at Priory Park is free and disabled parking is available
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Closest station to Southchurch Hall is Southend East on the C2C line. Upon arrival exit the station turning right onto Ambleside Drive. Eastbound passengers from Liverpool Street will need to cross over the foot bridge.Turn right and then cross the road taking a left into Victoria Avenue. After a short walk turn left into Southchurch Hall Close follow the perimeter of the park railings and you will come to the entrance gates.
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Getting Here by BusThe nearest bus stop is on Woodgrange Drive close to the main gates. This entrance will not provide wheelchair users access to the Hall.
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Getting Here by CarThe A127 and A13 link Southend to the M25. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 - 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend is reached via the M25 (Junction 30 - 26 miles) Dartford Tunnel & A13. Off either the A127 or A13 follow signs for the seafront and The Kursaal. The Hall is brown signed off the A1160 roundabout, Wood Grange Drive. Parking - There is free on street parking in Park Lane and the surrounding residential roads. Pay and display parking is available at Fairheads Green (Sealife Centre) which is 10 minute walk from the park.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Getting Here by BusThere is a bus hub just outside the Southend Victoria train station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Closest station to Central Museum is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. Upon leaving the station turn right from either exit, passing the station drop off zone, the Museum's banner situated high on the side of the building should be visible. It is a two minute walk.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Getting Here by BusThere is a bus hub just outside the Southend Victoria train station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to Central Museum is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. Upon leaving the station turn right from either exit, passing the station drop off zone, the Museum's banner situated high on the side of the building should be visible. It is a two minute walk.
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Getting Here by BusMultiple bus routes run regularly, with a major bus stop adjacent to Southend Victoria Station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to the Beecroft Art Gallery is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. As you exit the station, turn right onto Victoria Avenue. Walk past the Central Museum. You will see the Beecroft Art Gallery immediately after on your right. If you are arriving at Southend Central, on the London Fenchurch Street line, the gallery is roughly a 5-10 minute walk away. Exit the station and once on the High Street, turn left. Continue straight to the end, taking the path between the Odeon and New Look towards Southend Victoria Station. Cross the road, carrying straight past the station and Central Museum. The Beecroft Art Gallery will be immediately after on your right.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Volunteer with UsWe have a number of opportunities to volunteer within the front of house team in Southend Museums Service. If you would like to become a volunteer at one of our branches, then email our Volunteer Support Team. Please note the minimum age to volunteer is 17.
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Sponsor a PaverBe a part of the path at Prittlewell Priory The path transports visitors from the visitor centre to the restored Prittlewell Priory and all the special, personal messages engraved in the high quality natural stone pavers will form a permanent feature in the Priory Path. If you'd like to have a paver inscribed and added to the path, please fill in the form using the button below. A member of our team will be in touch to take payment for the next phase. The image below is an example of the heritage brick. Option 1: brick with two lines of text. Option 2: brick with four lines of text. Option 3: brick with historic logo and two lines of text. “ It is a wonderful park and building; a chance for everyone to be a part of Southend’s history.” - Phill Jupitus Please visit Prittlewell Priory or Central Museum to pick up an application form or email museums@southend.gov.uk for more information.
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Donating an Item to Southend MuseumsDo you have an interesting item you would like to donate? Please email an image of your item to museums@southend.gov.uk. We are unable to accept donations without an arranged appointment. Please note that Southend Museums Service only accepts items which fall within its Collection Policies. Our collections policy may be downloaded here.
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Friends of Southend MuseumsThe Friends of Southend Museums is a Registered Charity (No 288219), whose aim is to support and assist Southend Museums and to promote their use and enjoyment by the public. This is achieved principally by raising funds, from which grants are provided to the Museums Service towards the purchase of items for the Museum collections. The Friends have an active calendar of events and meetings, including evening talks (held at the Beecroft Art Gallery), outside visits, and an annual Christmas Party. Members receive a Newsletter three times a year, and are invited to attend private views of exhibitions at Southend’s Museums. Friends of Southend Museum also have free use of the Cliff Lift (on presentation of current Membership Card). The Newsletters, issued in the winter, early summer and autumn, provide details of all the Friends’ meetings, visits and other events, together with the latest reports from the Museums. The Friends of Southend Museums Programme of Events: All talks take place at the Beecroft Art Gallery at 7.30pm, unless otherwise specified. All are welcome to join the meetings, a small donation from visitors is encouraged. For more information please download the PDFs below: 1. Visits - Download 2. Supporting Southend Museums - Download 3. Membership - Download
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Related DownloadsMuseums Taskforce Activity Pack - Download The Priory Times Activity Pack - Download Southchurch Hall Activity Pack - Download
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Related DownloadsEducation Sessions Booklet - Download Loan Boxes- Download Tudor Christmas- Download Southchurch Hall Visit Risk Assessment June 2009 - Download Central Museum Visit Risk Assessment June 09- Download Access Policy and Statement September 2010- Download
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Loan BoxesLoans boxes are available for a period of two weeks only (and this may be restricted to one week in busy periods). Hire charge: £10 Loan boxes are available for the following topics; Palaeontology British Prehistory Romans Anglo-Saxons Tudors Victorians WWI WWII Loans boxes terms and conditions Boxes can be collected from Central Museum on Saturdays. Payment in cash only on collection
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Topic AreasThe Romans The Anglo-Saxons The Tudors The Victorians World War I World War II The Seaside Prittlewell Priory Tours Southchurch Hall Tours
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Educational Session PricesEducational Pricing Adult groups £5 per person Child groups £4 per person Extended sessions are available for an additional £1 per person Please Note: Accompanying adults (teachers, classroom assistants and an appropriate number of supporting parents) are admitted free, (Schools only).
BEECROFT ART GALLERY
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS2 6EX
Telephone: 01702 212511
Email: museums@southend.gov.uk
Visitor Information
Gift Shop and Refreshments
Our gallery shop offers a range of unique and original books, jewellery, toys, cards, homewares and gifts. Our shop offer is sourced from independent retailers and makers.
Hot and cold drinks can be purchased from our gallery shop alongside a small range of snacks. Please note food and drinks must be consumed in the designated seating area.
Gallery Accessibility
The front entrance is one level and all floors are full accessible by public lifts. An accessible toilet is available on the ground floor.
Limited disabled parking is available to the rear of Southend Central Museum, adjacent to the Beecroft Art Gallery. Access is via Great Eastern Avenue, and through the Beecroft Art Gallery staff car park, which is located to the south of the multi-story car park.
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