Spaces
Chalkwell Hall
Chalkwell Hall is a four storey Grade II listed, Georgian building set within the grounds of the well loved and used, Chalkwell Park in Southend on Sea. Built in 1830 it has a fantastic position at the brow of a hill, commanding magnificent views of the Park and across the Thames Estuary to Kent.
The house, which until 2007 had been largely unused has now been renovated by Metal in partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Arts Council England, East (ACEE) and East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
Metal commissioned award winning architect, Bill Dunster of ZEDfactory and visual artists, Ackroyd & Harvey to work together to turn the building into a low carbon space for art, events and conversation. Bill Dunster's practice is renowned for working with renewable technologies. Energy saving devices at Chalkwell Hall inlcude electricity generated by two small wind turbines and photovoltaic tiles on the roof, solar thermal collectors, a wood burning stove that provides heating and hot water and a wood-burning oven that will continue Metal’s well known series of artist-led dinner discussions. Ackroyd & Harvey helped us to create flexible living / working spaces, a kitchen garden that provides home-grown vegetables, and a stunning permanent work of art on the south facade of the house made from recycled slate, some from the roof of Chalkwell Hall itself.
The resulting Hall is, we believe, an outstanding example of collaborative, cross disciplinary design that is aligned with Metal’s ambitions for activities within the building, and contributes to the debate and thinking around current issues that are important for us. It provides a welcoming, stimulating, and comfortable space for artists from around the world to live and work for short periods of time in partnership with the wider communities of Southend and South Essex to think about the arts, to try out ideas for projects and to find solutions to identified issues or opportunities.
Chalkwell Hall supports a number of different activities, as follows:-
Sharing the space
A resource, project and showing space that builds a relationship with its immediate environment, locality and community, inviting local groups to utilise the space as a venue for their events, classes, meetings, seminars, showing work, sharing ideas, workshops etc
Developing and Delivering projects
Creating opportunities and finding funding for a wide variety of arts projects to be developed, both at the house, and elsewhere throughout the region.
Artists in Residence
Inviting artists (from across the UK and overseas) of all disciplines to come and live in the house for short periods of time to develop ideas, relationships and work.
An Artist – led Think Tank
A series of debates, conversation, commissioned writing and a biannual event that will bring together artists from around the world with individuals from other sectors (community, business, politics, regeneration etc) to exchange opinions, ideas, find common ground, locate opportunity etc. The emphasis will be on discussing creative approaches to current issues / challenges and opportunities facing Britain today.
For Hire
Rooms at Chalkwell Hall can be hired for meetings, small conferences, seminars and other events. For further information about hire prices, please download our information pack.
DIRECTIONS - download a PDF HERE.
Edge Hill Station
Edge Hill Station is the world’s oldest standing passenger railway station, still in use, and it possesses a proud history of innovation, aspiration and technology. Metal recently completed a major renovation of the Engine House, Boiler Room and Accumulator Tower at Edge Hill Station, after successfully raising capital funding from Kensington Regeneration, Merseytravel, Northern Rail, Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail, the new cultural and creative hub was launched in October 2009.
Culture led regeneration, creating new partnerships and unique alliances of diverse stakeholders is central to the efforts being made to re-invigorate the spaces. These buildings have been transformed and brought back into a creative life that unites the arts, culture, heritage and community to provide: a public exhibition space, a community meeting space, and an artistic development/educational space that works intensively with artists, local groups, schools, businesses and individuals. The station buildings also provide new office space for Metal, as well as other individuals and small cultural organisations including Wordscapes and Platform Youth Theatre. If you are a creative or cultural organisation looking for affordable office space, please contact us:
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0151 7072277
What do we do at Edge Hill Station?
We programme regular events and cultural activities for the station buildings (built in 1836) on platform 1 and 3 including: Film nights, a creative group for artists and local residents called Future Station, drama groups for adults and young people as well as discussion events, performances and exhibitions. Other organisations and artists also occasionally use the spaces to programme their events. There may be some things that you will enjoy and some that just aren’t your cup of tea, either way don’t be shy come and say hi! Most of our events are free too! If we aren't open and you are just bursting to find out more email
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, call 0151 707 2277 and we can arrange a visit to show you around. We'd love to meet you.
Directions to Edge Hill
Trains run regularly from Lime Street Station (approx. 4 every hour), Edge Hill Station is one stop from Lime Street. . . step off the train into Metal. Buses run to Tunnel Road and Wavertree Road from Queens Square bus station. Bus numbers to Tunnel Road are 26 and 27, to Wavertree Road 14, 61, 78, 79, 79c and 79d.
Up to date travel information can be found at www.merseytravel.gov.uk.
There is limited free parking available on the cobbled approach leading to the station.
Link to a google map.
Download a pdf.
