Thorpe Bay  Thorpe Bay is an area within the borough of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England located on the Thames Estuary. Thorpe Bay is situated within the Thorpe ward of Southend-on-Sea. It is around 4 miles to the east of Southend. Originally the area was called Thorpe, but it was renamed Thorpe Bay, after the railway station. The station had been given the name to indicate that it was a seaside settlement. The majority of Thorpe Bay consists of residential properties, mainly built in the 1920s, arranged in a grid pattern. Thorpe Bay can be defined as the area between the eastern side of Thorpe Hall Avenue to the west (beyond which is Southchurch), Thorpe Bay beach to the south, Maplin Way to the east, (beyond which is Shoeburyness), up to Station Road (beyond which is Bournes Green). The main shopping area, named 'The Broadway' – after the road on which it lies – is a parade of retail shops and restaurants, as well as medical and professional practices. Thorpe Bay railway station is the penultimate station on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line served by c2c from London Fenchurch Street (the last being Shoeburyness railway station). Consequently, a large number of London commuters choose to live in Thorpe Bay. Thorpe Bay enjoys good access by bus, provided by Arriva Shires & Essex including the number 1, 4(a), 7, 8 and 9. In 1914, Southend-on-Sea Corporation Tramways' network was extended from Bournes Green to Thorpe Bay. The Tramway closed in 1942 after being superseded by the motorbus. Thorpe Bay has one of Southend-on-Sea's main golf courses, the Thorpe Hall Golf Club. Thorpe Bay Bowling Club and Lawn Tennis Club are located in close proximity to each other on the north side of Thorpe Esplanade (the main road along the seafront). As well as these clubs, Thorpe Bay Yacht Club is also situated along the seafront, to the eastern end of Thorpe Bay. These clubs are private organisations open for annual membership. Thorpe Bay does not have a cinema, a theatre or any other major cultural amenities, but leisure organisations, in addition to those already mentioned, include Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, The Rotary Club of Thorpe Bay and a well-equipped fitness gym.