Southchurch

Hall and Gardens

We are reopening! Subject to government guidelines, Southchurch Hall will reopen May 19th following our summer opening hours.

Southchurch Hall is Grade I Listed Medieval moated house located in the Southchurch district of Southend-on-Sea.

The Hall was home to farming families until the 1920s. In 1930 it was extensively restored and presented to the town of Southend by the Dowsett Family. The Hall has been listed in Jenkins' top 1000 houses in England.

The current hall was built c.1321 – 1364, and has a Tudor and a 1930s extension. The Great Hall is still presented in its 14th Century form. At this time, the Great Hall would have had a central fireplace and original smoke-blackened timbers can still be seen in the roof (although much of the roof was replaced in the 1930s restoration). At the end of the Great Hall is the cross-wing, housing the North and South Solars. These rooms reflect changing fashions for more intimate rooms; the South Solar is a late 16th or early 17th Century extension.

The hall probably stands on the site of a much earlier Saxon hall. The land on which it stands was given to the monks of Canterbury in 823AD and the tenants of the hall subsequently inherited the family name "de Southchurch". This custom survived until the death of Peter de Southchurch in 1309.

Getting Here

Frequently asked questions

Getting Here by Car

The 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.

Getting Here by Train

Two 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.

Getting Here by Bus

The nearest bus stop is on Woodgrange Drive close to the main gates. This entrance will not provide wheelchair users access to the Hall.

SOUTHCHURCH HALL

Southchurch Hall Gardens

Park Lane

Southend-on-Sea

Essex

SS1 2TE

Telephone: 01702 467671

Email: museums@southend.gov.uk

Visitor Information

Opening Times

1st March to 31st October:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 11-4

Thursday: 11-4

Friday: 11-4

Saturday: 11-4

Sunday: 11-4

Bank Holidays: 11-4

1st November - 29th February:

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 11-3

Sunday: 11-3

Bank Holidays: 11-3

The gift shop is closed and refreshments are unavailable due to restrictions caused by coronavirus.

All visitors must wear face coverings when visiting.

Gift Shop and Refreshments

Refreshments are available in the exhibition room at the Hall. Visitors can enjoy a freshly ground Fairtrade coffee, premium hot chocolate and speciality teas - from our self-service drinks machine. A range cold beverages and biscuits are available.

The souvenir gift shop stocks a small range of gifts and toys.

Southchurch Hall Accessibility

There is very restricted access throughout Southchurch Hall.

The Ground Floor Main Hall, Kitchen, and Solar Rooms are accessible via the rear entrance. There is no bell on the rear entrance - to access please send a companion to the front entrance to request assistance or call 01702 467671.

The front entrance - leading to the refreshment and shop area and toilets - has one step and no ramp. There is no disabled toilet facility.

There is no dedicated parking for the Hall, but there is free street parking along Park Lane. It is recommended that you enter the Gardens via the Southchurch Hall Close entrance (off Park Lane) and cross the footbridge to reach the Hall's rear entrance.

Weddings at

Southchurch Hall

Celebrate your wedding in the beautiful surroundings of Southchurch Hall.

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What's on at

Southchurch Hall

There's lots of great events all year round, exploring the history of this iconic building.

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