JOINT VISIT PHOTOGRAPHY AND LOCAL HISTORY: Monday 19 May 2025
Visit to Cliff Town Conservation Area, Southend-on-Sea
Members of the Local and Essex History group joined with the Photography group for this visit (some of us are members of both groups) gathering around the one of the smallest museums in the country, a red telephone box. Sadly, this was locked but we were able to listen to an account of the history of the area, introduced by Helen Mirren, a former local resident.
The Cliff Town Conservation Area includes the Royal terraces, Pier Hill and the Cliff top gardens. The building of the Cliff Town estate commenced in October 1859, ready for the coming of the railway in 1865. The estate provided 5 different classes of terraced housing and shops (in nearby Nelson Street) The houses have design variations, reflecting their status and position in the estate. The largest most opulent properties are on the cliff top and were the last to be completed. The most modest faced the railway! The estate's layout, around open spaces, gardens and carefully aligned streets enabled estuary views from most of the houses.
The estate attracted residents from London whilst also providing accommodation for the increasing number of visitors brought by the railway. the most notable residents were the mountaineer Edward Whymper (the first to conquer The Matterhorn) and Benjamin Waugh who founded the NSPCC.
Our group walked around the bowling green, past Le Petite Petanque restaurant (great for lunch or afternoon tea) admiring the ornate ironwork adorning the houses and trying to identify the different styles of houses. We were amazed at the chimneys (which showed just how many fireplaces the houses had!) and many other interesting architectural features. One member discovered a blue plaque identifying the former site of Southend Water works Company.
The park in Prittlewell Square was disappointing as the lack of rain meant the flowers were scruffy and dying. The elegant archway entrance complete with clock framed the view of Southend Pier enhance by clear blue sky and sea.
From here to the Clifftown Parade and gardens including the Floral clock (again no flowers) and the Cenotaph designed by Luytens. The beautiful Victorian Bandstand has been removed to Priory Park because of unstable cliffs. Coming back towards the High Street we found the Statue of Queen Victoria, presented to the town by Mayor Bernard Wiltshire Tolhurst to mark the Queen's Diamond Anniversary. It used to stand at the top of Pier Hill where she was said to have pointed towards the public toilets. Now she points over the tree tops and out to the Estuary!
We made our way on past the Georgian Royal Terrace built in the 1790s and named 'Royal' after visits from Princess Caroline, wife of the Prince Regent, in 1803. The Shrubbery fronting the buildings was laid out as a private garden for residents and Royal Mews to the rear were their stables.
We ended our visit with a stop at Tomassi's where some of us indulged in their famous ice cream sundaes. Another fascinating delve into the history of our local area.
Why not take a trip and explore for yourselves?
Marion Coleman
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