Priory Park and Prittlewell Priory, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Details
Accessibility
The museum comprises Prittlewell Priory and a modern, purpose-built Visitor Centre set within Priory Park.
The Priory building is on two floors; there is a self-operated, disabled-Access Lift between the ground/first floors. The Priory building is open to wheelchair users but does not permit prams, mobility scooters or cycles. It has a flagged floor surface within the Priory building which is uneven and in some areas within the building, the floor is on slightly different levels connected by one or two step access. The Minstrel's Gallery above the Prior's Refectory has staircase access only. The Access Lift’s self-operation control must be kept depressed by the user whilst the disabled Access Lift is in transit. The Lift contains an Emergency Alarm bell to alert Priory staff in the event of an emergency. There is good interior lighting in most areas of the Priory building except the Cellar which is dimly lit.
The Visitor Centre is single storey with even, level access and is accessible throughout, to Wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and prams; It includes the visitor toilets (including a disability toilet). There is good interior lighting throughout.
Parking: All parking is free. There is limited disabled parking available, adjacent to the Visitor Centre (go straight on through the Priory car park toward the visitor centre instead of turning into the main car park. There are additional disabled parking bays in the main car park .
There is bicycle parking in the main car park and adjacent to the front of the Visitor Centre.
Most of the Park is accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooters with well laid-out footpaths although there are some stepped and sloping areas which may be slippery during wet or icy weather.
Brief description
Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea is a large park of approximately 45 hectares, within easy reach of the city centre. In addition to Prittlewell Priory and its Visitor Centre , the park has a lake, gardens, children’s play area, a café , bowling green, tennis courts and a bandstand. Band concerts and other events regularly take place in the park during the year.
Prittlewell Priory was founded in the 12th Century by the Cluniac Order . Although the Priory’s original building was destroyed in Tudor times during the Dissolution of the Monasteries after which it passed into private ownership as a family home until the early 20th century (during which it underwent much rebuilding and restoration) , parts of the original building and historical artefacts remain. Prittlewell Priory is now a Grade 1 listed building. The Priory became Southend’s first museum in 1922. It has a new, purpose-built Visitors Centre. There is an exhibition in the museum about the history of the Priory and the history of the Priory and Park including the park's natural history and wildlife.
Address
Prittlewell Priory Priory Park, Victoria Avenue,
Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6NB
Phone
Website
https://www.southendmuseums.co.uk/prittlewell-priory
Directions
SAT NAV: SS2 6NB
Prittlewell Park and Priory is situated between the A127 and A1159 roads, just off the A1159 on Priory Road, situated approximately 2.8miles (4.5 kms) from Southend city centre, in the Prittlewell district of the city. The main pedestrian and car park entrance to Priory Park is on Priory Road.
Local area Map - showing locations of Prittlewell Station and road and pedestrian routes to Prittlewell Park and Priory: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/posters/PRL.pdf.
Opening Times
Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change.. (Note: As at Sept 2020, due to COVID 19 restrictions, opening days and visiting hours are limited and subject to change)
Transport
By Rail: Nearest train station – Prittlewell Station (approx. 5 minutes’ walk) on the London Liverpool Street – Southend Victoria (‘Greater Anglia’) railway 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 exit the station via station approach leading on to East Street. Continue 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. Proceed to cross Priory Crescent and enter Priory Park.
Visitors travelling to Southend on the alternative London Fenchurch Street – Southend Central (‘ctc’) rail service:, complete your journey to Prittlewell Park and Priory either on foot (approx. 20 minutes’ walk), by local bus services or by taxi. All three Southend train stations provide disabled access but please note that step-free access to Prittlewell Station is limited to Platform 1 (London-bound platform) only; if wheelchair or step-free access is essential , visitors are advised to travel on to Southend Victoria Station and make your way to Prittlewell Park and Priory from here. Hearing loops are available at Southend Central and Southend Victoria Stations.
(Note: Prittlewell Station has no toilet facilities. Radar Key operated disabled toilets are located at Southend Central and Southend Victoria Stations
Train timetables and further details: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
By Bus: Priory Park is on several bus routes operated by 'First ' and ‘Arriva’ buses, from Southend city centre, with stops outside Southend Central station and at Southend Victoria station interchange. The bus journey takes approximately 3-4 minutes. The nearest bus stops to the main gates of Priory Park are at the junction of Victoria Avenue with Fairfax Drive and Priory Crescent. ‘PlusBus’ tickets purchased with train tickets are available on these routes. Bus route maps and up to date travel information and timetables available at: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus and www.arrivabus.co.uk.
Amenities
The Visitor Centre has a Refreshment area and toilets, including a disability toilet combined with a baby changing facility .The Visitor Centre includes a gift shop.
Priory Park has an additional, disability toilet near the bowling green. There is a café in Priory Park offering refreshments situated near to the Visitor Centre.
There are also a wide variety of alternative refreshment facilities and visitor accommodation in Southend City Centre.
Travel Information
For further travel information please see: www.traveline.info
Or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge)
Location
Nearest Venues
1,202 metres*
Southend-on-sea, Beecroft Art Gallery
1,308 metres*
1,552 metres*
Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-on-Sea
1,554 metres*
*Distances are calculated in a straight line from the current venue, please allow extra time/distance based on available paths or roads.