Westcliff-on-Sea

Westcliff-on-Sea
Westcliff-on-Sea
 Westcliff-on-Sea shown within Essex
OS grid referenceTQ865855
Unitary authoritySouthend-on-Sea
Ceremonial countyEssex
RegionEast
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited 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 ParliamentSouthend West
List of places
UK
England
Essex

Coordinates: 51°32′09″N 0°41′49″E / 51.5359°N 0.6970°E

Westcliff-on-Sea is a suburb of Southend-on-Sea, a seaside resort and unitary authority in Essex in south-east England. It is situated on the north bank of the Thames Estuary, about 34 miles (55 km) east of London.

Geography

The cliffs formed by erosion of the local quaternary geology give 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 has extensive mud flats. At low tide, the water typically retreats some 600 m from the beach, leaving the mud flats exposed.

View south-east over the Thames Estuary to the Isle of Grain, Kent from the shore at Westcliff-On-Sea

Transport

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.

Architecture

An area of Westcliff bordering Southend town centre has been classified as a conservation area, including Prittlewell Square gardens.

Economy

The main shopping area in Westcliff-on-Sea is Hamlet Court Road, where the department store Havens (department store), established in 1901, remains the anchor store. Hamlet Court Road took its name from a manor house called the Hamlet Court, which stood on land now occupied by Pavarotti's restaurant and the Nat West bank, facing towards the sea with sweeping gardens down to the rail line. The road later developed into a strong independent retail area, and quickly became famous outside the area as the Bond Street of the East Coast. There were many haberdashers and specialist shops, and it was not too unusual to see chauffeurs waiting for their employers to emerge from the shops.

The economic recessions of the 1980s and 1990s saw the area decline. However the road underwent a £1 million regeneration in the early 2000s and a further regeneration in 2010. The street is now known for a large number of restaurants.

Leisure

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.

Opposite the Cliffs Pavilion theatre there is also the Beecroft Art Gallery which changes its exhibitions on a regular basis, often exhibiting local work which features Southend and the surrounding area sites such as Hadleigh Castle and the pier.

There is also an annual Westcliff Art Trail centred on Hamlet Court Road, whose shops showcase the work of local artists.

Westcliff-on-Sea has always had a strong musical culture.

Notable people