Shoeburyness, Essex

The name of the pleasure boats

There were two pleasure boats operating from the west beach, 'The Prince of Wales' and another, whose name eludes me at the moment.  I think it may have been 'The Queen Mary', but will have to confirm this later.  Up until recently, when they were deemed to be a risk, the manual winches were rusting on the top of the beach... [more]

West Beach 1948 - 1966

This beach was the one we used to make our way to on a regular basis when we were staying at Shoebury Hall Farm campsite. We used to take the boat trip out to the Mulberry Harbour. Cannot for the life of me remember the name of the boat now. Seem to recall there were two operating... [more]

Uncle Toms cabin

Behind these beach huts was, and as far as I know still is, Uncle Tom's Cabin.   Here you could get cups of tea and so on.  The original was constructed mainly of wood, an old brown colour.  It was replaced I think in the 60's by the glass and brick one that was still there on my last visit a few... [more]

The boating pool

The boating pool at Shoebury Common was a must visit every weekend I was there.  In later years they had canoes and we used to sit up on the top of the canoe at the back and not in the cockpit.  Never fell in though.  Would not be allowed nowadays in this health and safety culture.  Just at the back of... [more]

The Pub

When Mum & Dad went to the pub, which was not very often, I would stand outside with a bag of crisps and a lemonade and patiently wait.  They were never in there long anyway.  I think there was a family bar there as well which sometimes we would use.  Opposite the pub was Dolls cafe where we would usually go... [more]

Ring road

This looks like the road that ran round the camp. The building to the left was the toilet block on the east side of the camp.

Good Old Days

I was so pleased to see this photo, as the caravan by the brick building was my grandparents'. We had another one right opposite this one. I had many a happy time on the site. I was born in 1949 & used to be down there every summer until it closed in 1972. My grandparents had them well before I was... [more]

Jellicoe Square

Shoebury Hall Farm was owned by Capt H R Townsend RN and his wife Margaret I think.  There was also a daughter Pamela.  They were like the country squire and his family.  Their house was between the church and the camp site.  I recall going inside the house once with Dad.  He was one of the oldest campers on the site... [more]

Southend Pocket Album

This imposing brick gateway, surmounted by a clock tower, was built 1860-62. A soldier stands to the right of the gate.The post box and telephone box must have been well used by residents at the camp.The Shoeburyness School of Gunnery was founded in the middle years of the 19th century.

Southend Photographic Memories

Camping was a popular, cheap way of spending a family holiday by the sea. The tent in the foreground has a large awning, a useful way of extending the living area. This site is close to a sand and shingle beach. Roof racks were frequently used to carry extra camping

Down the Thames Photographic Memories

East of Southend, the Thames meets the North Sea at Shoeburyness and its long journey ends. Here, on a sunny 1950s summer's day, the shingle West Beach is crowded; in the distance is Southend and its pier. The view is now changed, with 1960s tower blocks of flats on the skyline. Shoeburyness is now the eastern part of a 'Greater Southend'.... [more]