Local area guide to Garrison Town and the surrounding area
As a Lettings Agency in Southend, our clients often ask us about local amenities in the popular neighbourhoods, especially within the numerous conservation areas around the town. We’ve put together the following information which we hope will give you a feel for the popular Shoebury Garrison Conservation area.
General Information
Shoebury Garrison is an area of national importance. The combination of its historic buildings, archaeology and history make it an interesting destination to explore for a day trip or if you are looking to re-locate, it is also an attractive area in which to live.
Located on slightly raised land at the mouth of the Thames Estuary, Shoebury has had strategic importance since prehistoric times. Evidence of Iron Age and Roman settlements survive today with ramparts and roundhouses remaining intact. In 1797 when a signal station was built at the start of the Napoleonic War, the area began its links with the British military. However, it was the development of weaponry for the Crimean War in 1854 that led to Shoeburyness becoming an arms testing station. Having housed Royal Artillery and Gunnery schools since the early 1800s, the Garrison continued to accommodate residential artillery units until 1976 when the Garrison HQ was disbanded. The site was sold for redevelopment in 2000 and has been renovated and developed to include 465 private homes – a mix of refurbished period properties, new-build cottages, town houses and striking contemporary waterside apartments.
Public access to much of the Garrison is now possible since the end of its military use. Approximately 40 of the historic buildings are listed and several structures within the ancient ramparts are protected by English Heritage as scheduled ancient monuments, including the Viking Rampart.
Part of Shoebury Garrison and the adjacent High Street were designated a Conservation Area in 1981 and extended in 2004, because of the national architectural and historic interest.
Transport
Shoeburyness railway station is less than half a mile from the north entrance of The Garrison and has frequent services to London Fenchurch Street and Basildon. Journey times are just over one hour to and from London with trains running every 15 minutes and more frequently during the rush hour. Train services are provided by the National Express Group train operating company c2c and current timetables can be downloaded here; http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/travel-information/timetables/
Arriva runs a network of bus services that link Shoeburyness to other towns in the area and there are bus stops within the Garrison development. For buses travelling between Shoeburyness and Southend town centre in particular, take a Number 1 bus which is on the Shoeburyness to Rayleigh route. For additional information about routes and fares visit http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/south-east/services/1—shoeburyness-to-rayleigh/?direction=outbound
In Essex, First also operates a network of over 70 bus services linking towns and villages across the county. There is also a limited stop coach service to and from Stansted Airport and regular services to Southend University Hospital. Additional information can be found at; http://firstgroup.com/ukbus/essex/
We’re also lucky to have Southend Airport offering numerous routes within the UK and further afield into Europe. Airlines currently operating from Southend include Aer Lingus, EasyJet, FlyBe and Skyworks. Tour operators include First Choice and Thomson.
Education
Families choosing to live in Shoeburyness can select from five state primary schools within the area, while Shoeburyness High school provides secondary education right on the doorstep.
Essex retains a selective education policy and the Southend Boys and Girls Grammar schools are a short bus journey from Shoeburyness. Essex grammar school admissions are managed by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), Telephone: 01245 348257. The office is open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, term time only.
Healthcare
The Southend University Hospital is the main hospital for the area and has an Accident & Emergency Department. The following link will take you to the ‘Find Us’ page. http://www.southend.nhs.uk/other-information/find-us/
For non-emergency care, The NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4 offers a search facility which will return a comprehensive listing of all local GP surgeries and health centres. There are 6 surgeries listed with a local Shoeburyness postal address, with patient reviews also available.
If you are looking for other types of local healthcare professionals, try a visit to the Neighbourhood Professional website. This is a detailed site, sorting results by postcode, listing many professionals from dentists to opticians, reflexologists to physiotherapists. http://www.neighbourhoodprofessionals.co.uk/regions/ss/proff/healthcare.asp The results show Shoeburyness and the wider area is well-served and offers an excellent choice of treatments and therapies.
Refuse and recycling
To find out which day your refuse and recycling will be collected, please visit the Southend Borough Council website. There is a specific area where by entering your street name, you can determine your collection day. http://apps.southend.gov.uk/whereilive/.
Shopping
As well as enjoying easy access to the larger shopping centres in nearby Southend, Shoeburyness benefits from a supermarket, as well as a selection of small and independent shops located throughout the community. Parking around Shoebury is easy and in most cases free of charge.
The area has a number of pubs and restaurants, with an even wider choice available to those who venture into the neighbouring areas. Clubbing, live music, cinema and theatre are all available in nearby Southend with a selection of reliable taxi services connecting the two after hours.
Thinking of buying property in Garrison Town?
If you’re thinking of buying a property in or around Shoeburyness or Garrison Town, why not give Pace a call? Our team know the area inside and out, and will be able to help you find precisely the right property to meet your needs.
