Westcliff-On-Sea

Westcliff-on-Sea is a seaside resort in the borough of Southend-on-Sea in Essex. It is situated on the northern side of the mouth of the Thames Estuary, about 34 miles east of London. The shingle and pebbles along the stretch of beach have been covered with imported sand. Not far from the Royal Mews are the Prittlewell Square Gardens and further along is the Beecroft Art Gallery in Station Road. The town has three theatres: the Cliffs Pavilion, which has hosted many a variety act throughout its turbulent history; The Palace Theatre on London Road, which first opened in 1912; and The New Empire Theatre in Alexandra Street. Westcliff-on-Sea’s main shopping area is Hamlet Court Road which underwent a £1million regeneration and now has many boutiques, antique shops, speciality stores and restaurants. There are also a wide range of restaurants on London Road. Westcliff-on-Sea is also home to the Thames Estuary Yacht Club and the Westcliff Casino which opened in the 1970s, originally at the Mill House in Station Road. It opened at its present site, formerly an open air swimming pool, as part of The Westcliff Leisure Centre in 1987 and is now the largest provincial casino in the country and the second largest in Britain.