Canvey Island Bay Museum

Details

Accessibility: 

Access into the Museum is via a single step from adjacent paving to ground floor level.  Access to first floor level is via 15 steps including 90 degree turn via tapered steps (see photos).  Access from first floor out onto the Observation Platform is over a door threshold and down a single step.  There is no lift in the building.  There is level, albeit uneven, access from neighbouring car park to the Museum.

Brief description:  

Small Museum housing a number of historical military artefacts from the two World Wars, the Korean and Falklands Wars and other 20th Century conflicts. It includes the story of the WWII American B-17G bomber which on returning from a raid over Northern France collided with another bomber plane above the Thames and came down on Canvey Point.  Exhibits are housed in an old WWII Degaussing Station.

Address: 

The Bay Museum, Old M.O.D. Degaussing Station, Western Esplanade, Canvey Island, SS8 0AY

Email:  

TheBayMuseum@Gmail.com

Phone:  

01268 513 718 (Sundays Only) 07899 674 630 (at other times).

Website: 

https://the-bay-museum.co.uk/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68779540

Directions:  

Canvey Island Bay Museum is located to the west of the main seafront attractions along Western Esplanade and adjacent to the Thorney Bay beach.

·    For Sat Nav systems enter the Postcode: SS8 0AY

·    From the A13, follow the signs to Canvey Island; From the A127 or A12, take the A130 towards Canvey.

·    Once on Canvey Island, follow the signs for the Seafront and the Bay Museum is along Western Esplanade.

OS TQ 796825

Opening Times:  

2024: "Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am - Mid Afternoon"

The Museum is open free of charge on Sundays and Bank Holidays throughout the year.  They are also hoping to open on some weekdays through the summer months but check with their website for details. It is open from 10am to 3pm/4pm (closing time depending on number of visitors on the day).  The museum also holds “special” events on specific dates – see their website for full details of upcoming events.  Admission is free although donations welcomed.  The Museum can be opened to parties outside the normal opening hours by special arrangement.

Transport:  

For more travel information go to http://www.traveline.info/ or call 0871 200 22 33.

The nearest railway station is Benfleet on the C2C line between Southend-on-Sea and London Fenchurch Street, and a local bus service from this station travels to Western Esplanade and the Museum, bus number 21. 

Bus routes as at July 2019

Amenities:  

No toilets are available in the Museum but an adjoining café does have toilets available to the café customers including a disability toilet (access to latter toilet by arrangement only).  There are also portable toilets provided by the local council on land adjacent to the paved car park area (these are new in 2019 and it is likely they may only be available during summer months, check with Castle Point Council as needed).  There are no facilities for food or drinks at the Museum but there is the café adjoining the Museum.  Parking is available in an adjacent public car park, free to Blue Badge Holders (badge and time clock must be displayed) and small charge to all others – see photos for details.  The Museum is neighbouring the Thorney Bay Beach (see photos), a beach created and maintained entirely by volunteers.