Southchurch
Hall and Gardens
Please note Southchurch Hall is closed to the public during August.
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
Visitor Information
Opening Times
1st March to 31st October:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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
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.
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Weddings at
Southchurch Hall
Celebrate your wedding in the beautiful surroundings of Southchurch Hall.
What's on at
Southchurch Hall
There's lots of great events all year round, exploring the history of this iconic building.