High House, Purfleet

[3] Known by many names in its past, the farm has been called Le Vineyards, because grape vines were grown on one of its south facing slopes.

High House was originally built between 1552 and 1559 by Cecily Long to divide the Manor of West Thurrock, in Essex, equally between her two daughters.

Architectural detail seen in the stable indicates the degree of quality, wealth and status that the occupants of the house commanded.

"[5] Development in West Thurrock, originally from the chalk industry and later from a wide variety of industries, gradually decreased the size of the land owned and farmed by High House, but it was the Purfleet bypass which signalled the end for High House as a viable farm in the traditional sense.

After the bypass's construction, the farm was first converted into a private school, and later flats, until it closed and lay empty for many years.

[7] Creative & Cultural Skills opened The Backstage Centre in October 2012, launching the building formally in March 2013 with a 'ribbon cutting' event with musician Jools Holland.

The building was designed in consultation with theatre and music industry experts and provides a versatile training, rehearsal and technical space.

[10] The space is available for hire for industry use and has hosted TV production companies, events, training activity, conferences, live music acts and theatre.

In 2014 The Centre won the Best Regeneration Project and was Highly Commended in the Community Benefit category in the East of England RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) awards.

Archaeologists also found evidence of pre-historic pits and post holes, indicating that a prehistoric settlement of an unknown size was on the site.