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| Southminster | |
|---|---|
 St Leonard's, Southminster | |
  Southminster Location withinEssex | |
| Population | 4,829 (2021 Census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | TQ961995 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SOUTHMINSTER |
| Postcode district | CM0 |
| Dialling code | 01621 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | |
| 51°39′35″N0°49′52″E / 51.6598°N 0.831°E /51.6598; 0.831 | |
Southminster is a town andcivil parish on theDengie Peninsula in theMaldon district ofEssex in theEast of England. It lies about 3 miles (4.8 km) north ofBurnham-on-Crouch and 10 miles (16 km) south-east ofMaldon; it is approximately 52 miles (84 km) east-north-east ofLondon. To the north is theRiver Blackwater, which is tidal, and, sinceRoman times, has been the gateway to trading in the area.
Southminster is in the centre of theDengie peninsula, which once formed ahundred of the same name.
A major horse market used to be held annually in the town.
Southminster marshes were a favourite centre forhare coursing in Victorian times.
Pandole Wood contains ancient earthworks believed to date from theIron Age. The landscape surrounding the town, and elsewhere on the peninsula, is characterized by a pattern of strictly rectangular field boundaries, with evidence of a unit of measurement having been applied to the scheme as a whole. MiddleSaxon administrations have been suggested as its origin, although the road to the RomanSaxon Shore fort ofOthona atBradwell-on-Sea also conforms to the pattern.
The medieval St Leonard's Church dates mainly from the 15th century, although there are traces of much earlier work, including from the 12th century. It is a relatively large, "townish" church by Essex standards. The church also stands at an important road junction, contrasting with the familiar Essex pattern of a church andmanor house complex on the same site. These features are consistent with John Blair'sformulation of an Anglo-Saxonminster, in contrast to a privateoratory in its origins, and the place-name would perhaps suggestCedd's mission at theChapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall near Bradwell (to the north) as its parent. The church is aGrade II* listed building.[2]
Several well-known clergymen are associated with the church, includingnaturalist Walter Henry Hill, curate from 1832 to 1839, andAlexander John Scott, rector 1805 to 1840 but previously personal chaplain toHoratio Nelson. After theBattle of Trafalgar Nelson died in the arms of Scott, and several artefacts that once belonged to Scott are found in the church.
There is also a brick-builtUnited Reformed Church building in North Street, Southminster.
The town has a pre-school, infant and a primary school, a small library, a handful of pubs, a swimming pool, a brewery and cidery and one holiday park.The local football team - Southminster United F.C. play on the King George V Memorial Field.
Southminster railway station is the northern terminus of theCrouch Valley line, which provides generally hourly stopping services toWickford. Some early-morning peak services continue beyond Wickford toLondon Liverpool Street. Trains are operated byGreater Anglia.[3]
The single-tracked line was electrified in the 1980s.
Bus services in Southminster are operated byFirst Essex,Hedingham & Chambers andStephensons of Essex.
Routes include:
Parishes adjacent to the Southminster parish:
Places adjacent to Southminster | |
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