IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
High Street, BENFLEET, SS7 1NA

The Close is a small hidden alley in South Benfleet Conservation Area. This is the entrance from the High Street. Views further along are Image and Image

A hidden delight of an alley between Benfleet Station and the Church, to the right is a traditional Essex weather board house

The mini-roundabout here is where Benfleet High Road (to the left) meets Essex Way (behind the photographer). The road going straight ahead is High Street Image The building on the left as it bends round is the Half Crown pub Image The one on the right (just about visible) is the Hoy and Helmet pub Image The photographer is standing just outside the Anchor pub Image

High Street, despite its name, is just a short stretch of road between one mini-roundabout Image and another Image As the road bends to the left, the 'Fishmarket' on the bend is, despite its name, a restaurant, not a shop. However the site was, at one time, occupied by a fresh fish and shellfish stall.

Italian restaurant in South Benfleet.

South Benfleet Conservation Area is the name given to the area near Benfleet Station and Benfleet Creek. The station lies just behind the photographer (whose shadow can be seen bottom right). The road leading up to the mini-roundabout from the left is Ferry Road, named (I presume) because it once led to the ferry to Canvey Island. Now it leads to the bridge across Benfleet Creek, to Canvey. Beyond the mini-roundabout, the road becomes High Street. To the left of centre is a gargoyle-like post, whose significance escapes me at present. In the right background is the tower of St Mary's parish church.

This is taken from the bottom corner of the car park, by the exit to Benfleet station. The white posts in the foreground are part of the cycle parking area. The buildings in the background centre and right are on School Lane. The buildings on the left background are on the High Street. This car park is always full during the day. At one time, it was said that Benfleet station was the busiest commuter station in Essex, or the south-east, or Britain (depending on who you believe).

This is the other end of The Close seen in Image and Image The latter is taken further along from this one, showing the whitewashed and clapboard houses close up. The Close lies in South Benfleet Conservation Area Image

A small branch off Benfleet Creek, now cut off by a sluice and culverted behind the camera, but evidently at least semi-tidal.

Grade II listed - https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1123692?section=official-list-entry.