| Westcliff-on-Sea | |
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Westcliff-on-Sea
Westcliff-on-Sea shown within Essex |
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| OS grid reference | TQ865855 |
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| Unitary authority | Southend-on-Sea |
| Ceremonial county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WESTCLIFF-ON-SEA |
| Postcode district | SS0 |
| Dialling code | 01702 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Southend West |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Westcliff-on-Sea is a suburb of Southend-on-Sea, a seaside resort in the East of England and unitary authority in Essex. It is situated on the northern bank of the Thames Estuary and about 34 miles (55 km) east of London.
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The cliffs formed by erosion of the local Quaternary geology afford views over the Thames Estuary towards the Kent coastline to the south. The coastline has been transformed into sandy beaches through the use of groynes and imported sand. The estuary at this point is marked by extensive mud flats. At low tide, the water typically retreats to some 600m from the beach, leaving the mud flats exposed.
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line arrived in the 1880s, connecting the town with London and shortening travel time to and from that city. Westcliff railway station in Station Road is now managed by c2c.
An area of Westcliff bordering Southend town centre has been classified as a conservation area, including Prittlewell Square gardens.
The main shopping area in Westcliff-on-Sea is Hamlet Court Road, where the department store Havens, established in 1901 remains the anchor store. The economic recessions of the 1980s and 1990s saw the area decline. However the road underwent a £1 million regeneration in the early 2000s.
The two main theatres in Westcliff are the Cliffs Pavilion, which overlooks the seafront, and the Palace Theatre.
Westcliff-on-Sea is also home to the Thames Estuary Yacht Club and the Westcliff Casino, which is the largest provincial casino and the second largest casino in Great Britain.