Prittlewell
Priory
Opening Times
The Priory
1st March to 31st October:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11-5
Thursday: 11-5
Friday: 11-5
Saturday: 11-5
Sunday: 11-5
1st November - 29th February:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 11-4
Sunday: 11-4
Please note we do not allow buggies, pushchairs, bikes or scooters in the Priory.
Prittlewell Priory was founded by the Cluniac Order in the early 12th century as a cell to the Priory of St Pancras at Lewes, Sussex.
It was one of the lesser monasteries housing not more than 18 monks. In 1536 much of the building was destroyed and what remained was much altered during the 18th Century. Alterations were made again in the early 20th Century, when the Refectory was restored and partly rebuilt. A number of original features do survive, including a 12th Century doorway with chevron and dog tooth ornamentation.
After the Dissolution the Priory was a private residence and it was granted to Lord Chancellor Audley, who conveyed it to Robert, son of Lord Rich. It afterwards passed with the manor to various families. The last family to live there, the 19th Century Scrattons, are explored in an exhibition inside the house. In 1917 the building was purchased by Robert Jones, and in May 1922 it opened as Southend's first museum.
In 2011 works began on refurbishing the existing buildings and the construction of a new Visitor Centre. The £2 million works were in part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Cory Environmental Trust in Southend and were undertaken by The Facility Architects and Ibex Interiors. Works were completed in the summer of 2012 and the Priory re-opened in the June of that year. The new Visitor Centre, adjacent to the Priory, opened in February 2013.
Visitor Centre
1st March to 31st October:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10-5
Thursday: 10-5
Friday: 10-5
Saturday: 10-5
Sunday: 10-5
1st November - 29th February:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11-4
Thursday: 11-4
Friday: 11-4
Saturday: 11-4
Sunday: 11-4
Getting Here
PRITTLEWELL PRIORY
Priory Park
Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS2 6NB
Telephone: 01702 212190
Email: museums@southend.gov.uk
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to Prittlewell Priory is Prittlewell Station on the Greater Anglia line. Those arriving on Southend bound trains should exit the station and turn right onto East Street, those arriving on London bound trains will need to with the station via station approach leading on to East Street. Continue on until you reach the traffic lights and turn right onto Victoria Avenue, after a short downhill walk you will reach a set of traffic lights where Priory Crescent meets Victoria Avenue. Cross Priory Crescent and enter Priory Park.
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Getting Here by BusThe nearest bus stops to Priory park are located on Victoria Avenue and Fairfax drive close the Main Entrances.
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Getting Here by CarThe A127 and A13 link Southend to the M25. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 - 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend is reached via the M25 (Junction 30 - 26 miles) Dartford Tunnel & A13. Parking at Priory Park is free and disabled parking is available
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Closest station to Southchurch Hall is Southend East on the C2C line. Upon arrival exit the station turning right onto Ambleside Drive. Eastbound passengers from Liverpool Street will need to cross over the foot bridge.Turn right and then cross the road taking a left into Victoria Avenue. After a short walk turn left into Southchurch Hall Close follow the perimeter of the park railings and you will come to the entrance gates.
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Getting Here by BusThe nearest bus stop is on Woodgrange Drive close to the main gates. This entrance will not provide wheelchair users access to the Hall.
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Getting Here by CarThe A127 and A13 link Southend to the M25. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 - 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend is reached via the M25 (Junction 30 - 26 miles) Dartford Tunnel & A13. Off either the A127 or A13 follow signs for the seafront and The Kursaal. The Hall is brown signed off the A1160 roundabout, Wood Grange Drive. Parking - There is free on street parking in Park Lane and the surrounding residential roads. Pay and display parking is available at Fairheads Green (Sealife Centre) which is 10 minute walk from the park.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Getting Here by BusThere is a bus hub just outside the Southend Victoria train station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Closest station to Central Museum is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. Upon leaving the station turn right from either exit, passing the station drop off zone, the Museum's banner situated high on the side of the building should be visible. It is a two minute walk.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Getting Here by BusThere is a bus hub just outside the Southend Victoria train station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to Central Museum is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. Upon leaving the station turn right from either exit, passing the station drop off zone, the Museum's banner situated high on the side of the building should be visible. It is a two minute walk.
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Getting Here by BusMultiple bus routes run regularly, with a major bus stop adjacent to Southend Victoria Station.
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Getting Here by TrainTwo direct rail lines operate between London and Southend - Fenchurch Street to Southend Central (C2C line) and Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria (Greater Anglia). The journey time on both lines is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. The closest station to the Beecroft Art Gallery is Southend Victoria on the Greater Anglia line. As you exit the station, turn right onto Victoria Avenue. Walk past the Central Museum. You will see the Beecroft Art Gallery immediately after on your right. If you are arriving at Southend Central, on the London Fenchurch Street line, the gallery is roughly a 5-10 minute walk away. Exit the station and once on the High Street, turn left. Continue straight to the end, taking the path between the Odeon and New Look towards Southend Victoria Station. Cross the road, carrying straight past the station and Central Museum. The Beecroft Art Gallery will be immediately after on your right.
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Getting Here by CarWe are located on the A127 just off the main junction between the A127 and A13. The Museum and Planetarium is brown signed off both roads. Closest parking is at the Beecroft Art Gallery (previously Southend Library) car park just off Great Eastern Avenue (off of Victoria Avenue). It is pay and display. Alternative car parking is available at The Victoria Shopping Centre (SS2 5SP) just off the A127 and A13 junction.
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Volunteer with UsWe have a number of opportunities to volunteer within the front of house team in Southend Museums Service. If you would like to become a volunteer at one of our branches, then email our Volunteer Support Team. Please note the minimum age to volunteer is 17.
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Sponsor a PaverBe a part of the path at Prittlewell Priory The path transports visitors from the visitor centre to the restored Prittlewell Priory and all the special, personal messages engraved in the high quality natural stone pavers will form a permanent feature in the Priory Path. If you'd like to have a paver inscribed and added to the path, please fill in the form using the button below. A member of our team will be in touch to take payment for the next phase. The image below is an example of the heritage brick. Option 1: brick with two lines of text. Option 2: brick with four lines of text. Option 3: brick with historic logo and two lines of text. “ It is a wonderful park and building; a chance for everyone to be a part of Southend’s history.” - Phill Jupitus Please visit Prittlewell Priory or Central Museum to pick up an application form or email museums@southend.gov.uk for more information.
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Donating an Item to Southend MuseumsDo you have an interesting item you would like to donate? Please email an image of your item to museums@southend.gov.uk. We are unable to accept donations without an arranged appointment. Please note that Southend Museums Service only accepts items which fall within its Collection Policies. Our collections policy may be downloaded here.
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Friends of Southend MuseumsThe Friends of Southend Museums is a Registered Charity (No 288219), whose aim is to support and assist Southend Museums and to promote their use and enjoyment by the public. This is achieved principally by raising funds, from which grants are provided to the Museums Service towards the purchase of items for the Museum collections. The Friends have an active calendar of events and meetings, including evening talks (held at the Beecroft Art Gallery), outside visits, and an annual Christmas Party. Members receive a Newsletter three times a year, and are invited to attend private views of exhibitions at Southend’s Museums. Friends of Southend Museum also have free use of the Cliff Lift (on presentation of current Membership Card). The Newsletters, issued in the winter, early summer and autumn, provide details of all the Friends’ meetings, visits and other events, together with the latest reports from the Museums. The Friends of Southend Museums Programme of Events: All talks take place at the Beecroft Art Gallery at 7.30pm, unless otherwise specified. All are welcome to join the meetings, a small donation from visitors is encouraged. For more information please download the PDFs below: 1. Visits - Download 2. Supporting Southend Museums - Download 3. Membership - Download
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Related DownloadsMuseums Taskforce Activity Pack - Download The Priory Times Activity Pack - Download Southchurch Hall Activity Pack - Download
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Related DownloadsEducation Sessions Booklet - Download Loan Boxes- Download Tudor Christmas- Download Southchurch Hall Visit Risk Assessment June 2009 - Download Central Museum Visit Risk Assessment June 09- Download Access Policy and Statement September 2010- Download
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Loan BoxesLoans boxes are available for a period of two weeks only (and this may be restricted to one week in busy periods). Hire charge: £10 Loan boxes are available for the following topics; Palaeontology British Prehistory Romans Anglo-Saxons Tudors Victorians WWI WWII Loans boxes terms and conditions Boxes can be collected from Central Museum on Saturdays. Payment in cash only on collection
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Topic AreasThe Romans The Anglo-Saxons The Tudors The Victorians World War I World War II The Seaside Prittlewell Priory Tours Southchurch Hall Tours
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Educational Session PricesEducational Pricing Adult groups £5 per person Child groups £4 per person Extended sessions are available for an additional £1 per person Please Note: Accompanying adults (teachers, classroom assistants and an appropriate number of supporting parents) are admitted free, (Schools only).
Visitor Information
Gift Shop and Refreshments
Discover unique gifts, toys and stationery in our museum Gift Shop.
Refreshments are available in the exhibition room at the Hall. Visitors can enjoy a freshly ground Fairtrade coffee, premium hot chocolate and speciality teas - from ourdrinks machine. A range cold beverages and biscuits are available.
Prittlewell Priory Accessibility
The Visitor Centre is all on one level, allowing access throughout, and housing a disabled toilet. The Priory is a two-floor building - the second floor is accessible via a self-operated lift. One area is inaccessible in a wheelchair - the Minstrel's Gallery (a small balcony overlooking the Refectory) though the Refectory can be seen from behind the gallery.
Limited disabled parking spaces are available to the side of the Visitor Centre. Access is through the Priory Park car park - on entering the park, keep going straight rather than turning right into the main car park.
The cellar area of the Priory is dimly lit and there is a video playing.
Sponsor a Paver at
Prittlewell Priory
Create a special memory, and let your message become a part of Prittlewell history!
