Southminster

Southminster
St Leonards, Southminster
Population	3,776 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	TQ961995
District	Maldon
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
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	Maldon and East Chelmsford

Southminster is a town on the Dengie peninsula in the Maldon district of Essex in the East of England. It lies about three miles north of Burnham-on-Crouch and ten miles south-east of Maldon. To the north is the River Blackwater, which is tidal and since Roman times has been the gateway to trading in the area. Saint Lawrence Bay, which is part of the Southminster area, can be accessed by road.

History

Southminster is a historic village sited in the centre of the Dengie peninsula that once formed a hundred of the same name.

A major horse market used to be held annually in the village.

Southminster marshes were a favourite centre for hare coursing in Victorian times.

Pandole Wood contains ancient earthworks believed to date from the Iron Age. The landscape surrounding the town, and most of the peninsula, is characterized by a pattern of strictly rectangular field boundaries and evidence of a unit of measurement that has been applied to the scheme as a whole. Middle-Saxon, or mid-Roman administrations have been suggested as its origin, although the road to the Roman sea fort at Bradwell conforms to the pattern.

St Leonard's Church

The medieval St Leonard's Church dates mainly from the 15th century, although there are traces of much earlier work. 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 and manor house complex on the same site. These features are consistent with John Blair's formulation of an Anglo-Saxon minster, in contrast to a private oratory in its origins, and the placename would perhaps suggest Cedd's mission at St.Peter's on the wall at Bradwell as its parent. There have been several well-known rectors, including naturalist Rev Walter Henry Hill, and Rev Alexander John Scott who was personal chaplain to Admiral Lord Nelson. After the battle of Trafalgar Nelson died in the arms of Rev Scott. Several artefacts that once belonged to Rev Scott are found in the church. The church also gives its name to the village's local football team, Southminster St. Leonards F.C.

Facilities

The town has one primary school, a small library, a handful of pubs, a police station, a holiday park, and a bakery.

Transport

Southminster railway station on a single-line branch which was electrified in the 1980s provides services to Wickford and Liverpool Street station in the City of London.

Nearest places

Nearby settlements include Maldon to the north west, Burnham-on-Crouch to the south and Bradwell-on-sea.