PICTURESQUE Thames Estuary views and iconic architecture surround those living on the historic former Shoebury Garrison site, offering residents a fascinating glimpse of the past every day.

The garrison story began in 1849 when the south Shoebury site was bought by the Board of Ordnance to use as an artillery testing and practise range. It became a permanent station in 1854.

After housing military personnel for 150 years, the site was eventually sold to developers. 
The gradual transformation of the historic Shoebury Garrison site to a sprawling mix of homes, both old and new, began in 2004.

One of those who moved in was Margaret Albon, who has lived in Gunners Rise since 2011. She describes her neighbourhood as “a very nice place to be”.

Echo: Margaret Albon describes it as a 'fascinating' place to live.Margaret Albon describes it as a 'fascinating' place to live. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The retired primary school teacher has a passion for history, so finds the garrison’s unique features “fascinating”.

She said: “The clock tower is the focal point of the garrison. It’s very easy to imagine soldiers square bashing there. It still has a very militaristic feel to it.

“And it’s got the Guard House right beside it. All the historic buildings here tell little stories of their own.

Echo: The clock tower and the Guard House beside it.The clock tower and the Guard House beside it. (Image: Home)

“Growing up nearby, I can remember soldiers guarding the gate at the back of the garrison.

“I was fascinated to see the cricket pavilion looks identical now to how it did in the 1920s. The cricket pitch is the only one in the country that isn’t a village green.

“People still play there every summer. It’s lovely, and almost takes you back in time.”

Thanks to its location, Mrs Albon says the site is not used as a “thoroughfare” for motorists and therefore the roads are “very quiet”.

Echo: Nods to the neighbourhood's military history can be seen all around.Nods to the neighbourhood's military history can be seen all around. (Image: NQ)

Mrs Albon, 76, says she and other residents have the sea wall on their doorstep, almost literally. Essex Wildlife Trust’s Gunners Park nature reserve is also just a stone’s throw away.

She said: “You just walk out your front door and, within a few minutes, you’re at the sea wall. It’s delightful, seeing all the wildlife living nearby, and at the nature reserve.

“There’s always something to look out for, and the park rangers are always very informative.

“Shoebury Garrison is a delightful place to live for its military history and nature.”

Essex Wildlife Trust ranger Andrew Armstrong was based at Gunners Park for nearly a decade before relocating last year. He says the site is “steeped in history”.

He said: “There’s some absolutely blistering beauty here.

“The largest block on the site is the Heavy Quick Firing Battery, a very interesting Grade II-listed structure. One winter, we found up to 80 peacock butterflies hibernating in the roof, and it housed swallows in the summer.

Echo: The Heavy Quick Firing Battery.The Heavy Quick Firing Battery. (Image: NQ)

“It shows some old derelict structures are very important for wildlife.”

“On Gunners Rise, house martin birds have previously made nests. They’re massively declining in the UK, but Gunners is bucking the trend.

“People view it as a badge of honour to have house martins nesting on their property.

“When people weren’t allowed out of their homes during Covid, people even had muntjac deer sleeping in their doorways.”

As a “keen birdwatcher”, Andrew enjoyed taking in the wide variety of bird life nearby.

He added: “Gunners Park is exceptionally well known for birdlife. We have had people coming from all over to see rare birds like serins at the reserve.”