Westcliff

Westcliff-on-Sea is a suburb of Southend-on-Sea, a seaside resort and unitary authority in Essex in south-east England. It is situated on the north bank of the Thames Estuary, about 34 miles (55 km) east of London.GeographyThe cliffs formed by erosion of the local quaternary geology give views over the Thames Estuary towards the Kent coastline to the south. The coastline has been transformed into sandy beaches through the use of groynes and imported sand. The estuary at this point has extensive mud flats. At low tide, the water typically retreats some 600 m from the beach, leaving the mud flats exposed.TransportThe London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line arrived in the 1880s, connecting the town with London and shortening travel time to and from that city. Westcliff railway station in Station Road is now managed by c2c.ArchitectureAn area of Westcliff bordering Southend town centre has been classified as a conservation area, including Prittlewell Square gardens and the Grade II listed building, Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen's Church.