South Benfleet

The Battle of Benfleet took place here between the Vikings and Saxons in 894. The community is directly north of Canvey Island and is served by Benfleet railway station. It hosts South Benfleet Primary School, which was used temporarily to house local residents during the widespread flooding of 1953. At the junction of Saint Mary's Church and The Anchor pub is the site of the UK's first "overrunable" mini roundabout. 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 fleet", 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.