As a counterpoint to Yuri’s excellent Gallery, specialising in documenting the developing story of this year’s Festival, I have added my own Gallery highlighting a couple of jewels in the City of Southend crown; local interest only a few minutes’ walk from the Festival venue.
Southchurch Park is close by 5-10 minutes’ walk – turn right out of the venue, take the second right down Kensington Road Map here
Even nearer is the delightful Southchurch Hall and park, located on a site directly behind the college. There is a line of suburban housing between the college and Southchurch Hall and park. Left out of the college, left into Park Road, entry in Southchurch Hall Close. Map link below.
Southchurch Hall has a long history, a timber framed house the oldest part of it said to be medieval in origin. Though it has been modified and added to in the centuries between, the more recent being Victorian and 20th century, it was lived in until the 1930s after which it was presented to the town of Southend (now City of…). Google Maps describes it succintly as a “Lush green space housing a moated 14th-century manor house with Tudor kitchen and Victorian bedroom.” Unfortunately the house does not appear to be open to the public at the moment, but there are plenty of photos submitted by visitors and owners. More dedtails here: Southend Museums | Google Maps
Ian Hunnable
Tournament Directo
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Southend Easter Chess Festival 
Thanks Ian. We haven’t seen the Church Hall & Park So might take that in today. The lake , is well worth the 10 minute walk though and the cafe is not bad there either. I think we have rain later this evening so todays the day to visit.
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Thank you, Philip. Just a point of clarification: The location which is 10 minutes’ walk away is Southchurch Park. Southchurch Hall and park is the nearer, to the rear of the college where we’re playing and no more than 5 minutes’ walk away. The lake in the featured image at the head of this post, to which I expect you are referring, is Southchurch Park.
Ian
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