Westcliff-on-Sea facts for kids
Westcliff-on-Sea is a fun town located in Southend-on-Sea, a popular seaside resort in Essex, England. It sits right on the northern shore of the lower Thames Estuary, which is a large river mouth. Westcliff-on-Sea is about 34 miles (55 km) east of London, making it a great spot for a day trip or a holiday by the sea!
Quick facts for kids Westcliff-on-Sea |
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 The Cliffs Pavilion above the Thames Estuary |
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 Westcliff-on-Sea
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| Population | 21,108 (2011 Census. Chalkwell and Milton Wards) |
| OS grid reference | TQ865855 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| 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 | |
Contents
Exploring Westcliff's Location
Westcliff-on-Sea gets its name from the cliffs along its coast. These cliffs offer amazing views over the Thames Estuary. You can even see the Kent coastline on the other side!
The coastline here has been changed to create sandy beaches. This was done using special structures called groynes and by adding sand. When the tide is low, the water goes out very far, sometimes as much as 600 meters! This leaves wide, flat areas of mud exposed.
A Look Back at Westcliff's History
The southern part of Westcliff was once known by a different name: Milton. This was true until around 1860-1880. At that time, the land was sold to people who wanted to build new things, and they preferred the name Westcliff-on-Sea.
When the train station opened in 1895, it was called Westcliff, not Milton. This shows how the new name had really taken hold! Some areas, like the one between Milton Road and Hamlet Court Road, were even planned as a "high class suburban retreat" by the original builders.
Getting Around: Transport in Westcliff
Westcliff-on-Sea has its own train station, which opened in 1895. It's part of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line. Today, the station is managed by a train company called c2c. This makes it easy for people to travel to and from Westcliff.
Cool Buildings and Architecture
Westcliff has several areas that are special because of their old and important buildings. These are called "conservation areas." Some of these include Clifftown, Shorefield, and Milton.
Many buildings in Westcliff are "Grade II listed." This means they are important historical buildings that need to be protected. Some examples include:
- The former Wesleyan Chapel (now Park Road Methodist Church), built in 1872.
- Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen's Church.
- The Church of Saint Alban the Martyr.
- The old Havens department store.
- Westcliff Library.
- The Palace Theatre.
Shopping and Business: Hamlet Court Road
Hamlet Court Road used to be the main shopping area in Westcliff-on-Sea. It was home to the famous Havens department store, which opened in 1901 and was a big part of the street until it closed in 2017.
This road was once known as the "Bond Street of Essex" because it had so many fancy and special shops. You might even have seen chauffeurs waiting for their bosses while they shopped! Over time, the area faced some tough economic times, but it has had money invested in it to make it better again.
Fun Things to Do: Leisure in Westcliff
Westcliff-on-Sea has some great places for entertainment!
- The Cliffs Pavilion is a large theatre that overlooks the seafront. Many big shows and concerts happen here.
- The Palace Theatre is another popular theatre in the town.
- If you like sailing, the Thames Estuary Yacht Club is located here.
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