@BasildonHistory

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Police Station
Billericay Police Station sits opposite the roundabout on Sun Corner. It is no longer has a front counter for the public but is still used by Essex Police.

When the building first opened in 1938 it was both a Police Station and a court house, and also had several cells for holding those in custody.

K6 Telephone Kiosks
There are three K6 model telephone kiosks along the High Street, with two of them outside the post office. The third contains a defibrillator. This model was designed in 1935 for the coronation of King George V, and all three are Grade II listed.

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Burghstead House
Opposite the post office is Burghstead House. This Grade II listed building is hidden behind a tree and is next door to Billericay Library. Billericay’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau are based in Burghstead House.

131 and 133 High Street
Both 131 and 133 have a Grade II status. They were added to the list in 1955. This wooden framed building was constructed in the 1700’s and today sits opposite Waitrose.

108 High Street
Built in the 1600's, this timber framed house has a carriage entrance which now leads to a car park and offices. The beams under the carriageway are exposed.

106 High Street
When 106 High Street was built in the 1700’s it was to be used as a house. In the last century it was converted in to shops and to shop fronts were added. The building was given a Grade II listing in 1971. Next door is the former Billericay Bakery shop. This had previously been a veterinary surgery.

Foxcroft and 98 High Street
98 High Street is better known as Regis House and 100 is known as Foxcroft. Both were built in the Georgian style around 1750. Regis House was built of red brick whilst Foxcroft was built using white brick.

Regis House was The Maidens Head Inn until the early 1800's. During the Second World War it was the headquarters of Billericay's Home Guard. Foxcroft was a children's home.

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94 and 96 High Street
This building is currently a restaurant but has been the town hall, a magistrate court and was the first police station in Essex.

It had originally been built as a market hall but was converted in 1862, on the site of the former Crown Inn. The restaurant that occupies the building now use the cells as a cellar.

A small building next door, now an Estate Agents, was also part of the station as well as the Inspectors house. An Essex Police bell is still in place in the roof.

During the 1950's Billericay Urban District Council had their offices there.

93 and 95 High Street

A shop, a Post Office and an Italian restaurant now occupy 93 and 95 High Street, with a cart entrance separating the two. Constructed in the 1800’s the frontage was altered in the 20th Century. Both buildings are Grade II listed.

74, 74a and 74b High Street
The Cater Museum occupies 74 High Street. This Grade II listed building was constructed in the 1700’s. The Cater Museum officially opened in 1960 to share the history of the area.

72 High Street
Next door is 72 High Street, another Grade II listed building. All that is left is the gable of a 1600’s house.

91 High Street
The original meeting place of the Billericay Dissenters in 1672, this building dates from the 1500's.

When the building was given a Grade II listed status in 1971 it was occupied by North Thames Gas Board.

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Mary Magdalen’s Church and Church House

The Church of Mary Magdalen stands on the High Street by the entrance to Chapel Street. A chapel was built on the site, probably during the 14th Century with the tower being constructed in the 15th century.

The chapel was rebuilt in the 1700’s, with an extension added in the 1840’s.

The clock on the tower was installed in 1897 to commemorate the 60th year of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Renovations were carried out in the 1950’s, which also linked it to the Church House next door. It was during 1955 that the church was Grade II listed. Further renovations were carried out during the 1970’s.

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War Memorial
Billericay War Memorial is situated next door to St. Mary Magdelen’s Church where Chapel Street meets the High Street. It was installed in 1921 with additions made in 1957.

The memorial is extremely well looked after and is often surrounded by flowers.

63 High Street
Pizza Express recently occupied 63 High Street, which was built in the late 18th or early 19th century and is Grade II listed.

57-61 High Street
Next door is the Grade II listed The Chantry, 57 to 61 High Street. It is believed to have been built around 1510 and is said to have been the home of Christopher Martin who provisioned the Mayflower before it set off for the New World.

43 High Street
Built in the 1700's, 34 High Street is currently occupied by a restaurant and had been home to an estate agent in the 1990's.

41 High Street
Number 41 High Street, is now number 33. It started its life as a house in the 1700’s and was most recently a bank.

Sheredays and Hill House
Opposite The Blue Boar is Sheredays and Hill House. Sheredays, 22 High Street, is a timber framed farmhouse built during the 1500’s and encase in brick 200 years later. Hill House was built next door in the 19th century in yellow brick. Both are Grade II listed.