Southchurch
Hall and Gardens
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
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.
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.
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
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