Canvey to Hoo Inner Thames Boom
In the Second World War, access to the River Thames was controlled by two defensive ‘booms’. The first at its very mouth ran from Shoeburyness …
Admiral Jellicoe Pub, Canvey
Canvey’s list of historic pubs have declined over the years, most have been converted into retail space (Silver Jubilee and the King Canute) however the …
The Vange Wells, No. 5
During the 1920s a London publican, Edwin Cash, decided to run a ‘get rich quick’ scheme in which he sunk five wells to the rear …
Cressing Temple Medieval Farmstead
How does Cressing Temple reflect what was going on in the wider world? Cressing Temple is located in North Essex and the two surviving Medieval …
Fisons Fertiliser Factory, Stanford-le-Hope
Fisons Plc was a British pharmaceutical, scientific instruments and horticultural chemicals company established by Edward Packard in 1843. In 1863 he was joined in business by his son, …
St Mary’s Church, Benfleet
St. Mary’s is located at the top of the hill in Benfleet highstreet. After the Norman conquest of England in 1066, a small church was …
Norsey Wood WW1 Trenches
Located in the heart of Billericay, Norsey Wood is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with history spanning the centuries. Discoveries such as …
Warley Hospital
Warley Hospital was the first County Asylum to be built in Essex, following the passing of the County Asylums Act. The first patients were first …
Southminster Mega Pillbox
This heavily-defended concrete strongpoint has been described as the ‘monster’ pillbox, and is potentially the largest in Britain. It is located in the flat expanse …
Carby House, Victoria Avenue, Southend
Victoria Avenue in Southend began to be developed in the post-war period as a centre for tall brutalist offices and civic buildings. These remained largely …
Canvey’s Dutch Sea Walls & Reclaimation
Sometime roughly around 1622, a Canvey land owner known as Sir Henry Appleton called upon expert Dutch engineer Cornelius Wasterdyk Vermuyden to reclaim Canvey’s constantly …
Fairleigh Court Anderson Shelters, Leigh-on-Sea
Behind Fairleigh Court in Leigh on Sea remains an impressive set of six Anderson shelters. Anderson shelters were issued free to all householders earning £5 …
Colchester Zoo Church
If you happen to be walking past the orangutan enclosure at Colchester Zoo, keep an eye out for the ruins of the All Saints’ Church. …
Oozedam Farm & WW2 Defences, Fobbing
We visited Oozedam Farm in January of 2018, on a trek across Fobbing Marshes which saw us head from the farm to discover a lost …
HMS Wilton
The HMS Wilton was a Royal Navy minesweeper and minehunter ship built in 1970. It was the first ever warship constructed from fibreglass which gave …
The Peasants Revolt of 1381
Pictured above are a set of eerie wooden sculptures of the rebels at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea, Essex. Whilst the park does not in …
Canvey 2000 Seafront Project
‘Canvey 2000’ was an attempt to rejuvenate Canvey Island’s seafront in 1997, hoping to restore it to reflect some of the glory as a tourist …
Essex Police Museum
The Essex Police Museum covers the history of the police force prior to it’s establishment in 1840 up till the present day. With dozens of …
Essex Police Headquarters
Essex Police first dates back to 1840 when it was established as the Essex County Constabulary, based in the old military barracks in Arbour Lane, …
Radio Caroline
Photos from Offshoreechos.com and Thevoguevibes.com Radio Caroline, one of the most famous radio stations in the UK was launched 50 years ago today, just off …
Behind Lakeside Shopping Centre
Pictured above is the planned lake hotel artist’s impression, original pre-2005 Lakeside logo, the new Intu facade c.2013, and construction of the centre c.1993. Although this …
Shell Haven Refinery Jetties
The Shell Haven Oil Refinery existed behind the Coryton refinery that dominates the skyline of the surrounding area, which ceased oil production in 2012. It …
Chafford Gorges
Transformed from chalk industry giants of the 20th Century, these huge craters in the landscape now form nature reserves due to the mineral-rich soils. What’s …
London Gateway Container Port
DP (Dubai Ports) World began to construct a huge shipping container port over the site of the Shell Haven oil refinery in around roughly 2010, …