South Benfleet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| South Benfleet | |
  South Benfleet shown within Essex |
|
| OS grid reference | |
|---|---|
| District | Castle Point |
| Shire county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
South Benfleet (also known as Benfleet) is a town in the Castle Point district of Essex in the East of England, United Kingdom. The Benfleet post town includes South Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh. It is located north of Canvey Island and is served by Benfleet railway station. It is home to the South Benfleet Primary School, which was used to temporarily house local residents during the widespread flooding of 1953.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Toponymy
The name of the town originates from the time of the Saxon settlers in the 5th Century, when the area was largely marshland. They named the area Beamfleote, meaning "tree stream", being the area where the creeks from the River Thames adjoined the wooded area to the north.
The current spelling was adopted at the time the railway service was brought to the area and a railway station built for the town. Throughout the intervening period various documented versions of the names has been 'Benfleota', 'Beamflet', 'Bemflet', 'Bienflet' and 'Bemfleet'. The last was used on John Norden's maps in the 17th Century.
[edit] Roman
In Roman times the reclaimed area which is now Canvey Island was joined to the interior of Britannia by the empire's ubiquitous road system. This provided access from Benfleet to Camulodunum (Colchester) and Londinium (London). The A130 road from Saddler's Farm roundabout to Canvey Island follows the route of the original Roman road. It's construction in 1971 brought to light a number of artifacts dating back to the early settlements in the area.
[edit] Saxon and Viking
In Saxon times the village became known as South Benfleet when a separate settlement, largely from the original settlement, developed to the north, which itself became known as Little Benfleet. The settlement did not last, and that area, which has since become known as North Benfleet is now largely rural.
The Battle of Benfleet took place in 894 between the Vikings and Saxons. It was towards the end of the Saxon period and the Thames and other waterways made the area vulnerable to Viking attacks. Benfleet was used as a Viking base. However the Vikings were defeated in the battle by the army of King Alfred under the command of his son Edward the Elder and his son-in-law Earl Aethelred of Mercia. Subsequently a church was built by the Saxons in thanksgiving for the victory over the Vikings. St Mary's church is the most recent church building occupying this site.
[edit] Modern era
The railway was brought to the town in 1855. The new South Benfleet railway station connected the town with Southend-on-Sea to the east and London Fenchurch Street station.
In July 2002 Castle Point District Council named a 6-mile cycle way from approximately Benfleet railway station to approximately Leigh-on-Sea railway station, the "de Neumann Way" after Captain Peter de Neumann, GM.
[edit] Geography
[edit] Local towns
[edit] Transport
Benfleet is served by the London, Tilbury and Southend railway line, currently run by c2c rail. By road the A13 and A12/A127/A130 connect the town to London.
[edit] Landmarks
The Church of England in Benfleet is served by the parish church of Saint Mary.
The public houses located in the Monument and St Mary's area of the town include The Anchor, "The Hoy and Helmet" and the Half Crown. Further north is the Benfleet Tavern. There are also a range of restaurants in the South Benfleet conservation area.
[edit] Sports
South Benfleet is the home of Sceptre League Division 2 side Benfleet FC.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Norman M. Chisman, D.P.A., Bygone Benfleet, Phillimore, 1991
[edit] External links
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