Last Saturday, I took a trip out to Billericay in deepest Essex to watch a woefully under-performing Dulwich Hamlet lose to the local football team.
I didn’t have a lot of time in the town but here’s some photos I captured on my brief visit.
Excitement builds as the train from Liverpool Street nears Billericay.
I only ever got to know of the place through the song ‘Billericay Dickie‘ by the wonderful Ian Dury, but this town of some 36,000 souls has a history dating back to the Bronze Age. [—]
A meeting of the Pilgrim Fathers before they set off in the Mayflower is said to have taken place in Billericay, a fact echoed by some local place names, while in 1916, the town had a close call when a giant German Zeppelin airship was shot down after an aerial battle, narrowly missing the High Street.
This striking, semi-derelict building on Norsey Road can be found close to the railway station.
The plaque describes the building as Elizabeth Cottage, 1903.
Abandoned for many years, the building was recently saved from an untimely and illegal demolition – but only after the dastardly owner had taken off the roof tiles and removed a chimney.
Further down Norsey Road is three grade II* listed cottages, dating from the 14th century.
Started as far back as 1945, the Billericay Spiritualist Church/Centre can be found at 16 West Park Crescent in Billericay.
It wouldn’t be Essex without some modern mock Tudor homes.
The modern lines of Billericay Methodist Church, which opened in 1964.
Inside Billericay Town’s football ground.
The White Hart pub at 138 High Street, which describes itself as ‘ the home of live music in Billericay.’
High Street view.
Sign for the Red Lion pub, a former coaching inn on the High Street.
Old church, now used as a restaurant. Update: according to the restaurant’s web site, the building was formerly a police station.
The attractive Victorian old Reading Rooms, built in 1886.
In the 1960s, the building served as the Billericay Recreation Rooms.
Chapel Street. The plaque reads, “The Woolpack, 1450, extended 1570, front rebuilt 1850-1953.”
In this Chapel Street view (left to right) is The Chequers pub, Goodspeeds fishmongers and Fleur De Lys flower shop.
Door detail from 5, Chapel Street.
The Chequers pub, a timber framed building thought to date back to around 1509.
The Railway pub, close to the station.
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