Southchurch Hall
Southchurch Hall was formerly the Manor House of Southchurch. The hall is surrounded by a deep moat watered by two springs, and until the early 1920s served as a farmhouse known as Whiffen’s Farm. In 1925 it was presented to the Southend Corporation, with the surrounding area, by the family of the the late Mr Thomas Dowsett. The Corporation adapted the whole area for use as a public recreation ground. Restoration of Manor House started in 1929, and the building was restored and preserved. Southchurch Hall which dates from the early half of the Fourteenth Century, consists of an open central hall with two storey wings at the East and West ends. It contains some good timber work and is of special interest as being one of the oldest domestic buildings now surviving in Essex. In medieval times it had its private chapel dedicated to St. Katherine. The Manor, Belonged to the monks of Canterbury Cathedral, but was, from very early times, let “at farm.” For nearly two centuries (c1150 - c1350) it was held by members of the de Southchurch family, the most famous of whom was Sir Richard de Southchurch, who was sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire, in 1265-7, gained an unenviable notoriety for his abuse of the royal powers vested in him.

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Southchurch Hall before the restoration of 1929 Image from the Terry Herbert Collection
Southchurch Hall before the restoration of 1929 Image from the Terry Herbert Collection
Southchurch Hall Today
Southchurch Hall Today
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