St Lawrence, Essex

St Lawrence is a parish in the Maldon district of Essex in the East of England on the Dengie peninsula. The village of St Lawrence Bay, which takes its name from the parish, is situated on the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary, 4 miles (6.5km) from Southminster and is also known by local residents as “Stone”. The village contains areas known as Ramsey Island and St Lawrence Bay.

The village has a single access road leading down to the estuary shore and has seen recent expansion and the construction of new housing due to its riverside location and proximity to Southminster railway station, which provides a fast commuter service to Liverpool Street Station in the City of London.

There are a small number of businesses in the village including a pub called simply “The Stone” and a single shop which also provides the local Post Office services. In the summer the population of the area swells mostly due to tourism, the presence of the Blackwater caravan park and many second homes. The Blackwater Estuary also provides a good location for water sports and there are two clubs which provide facilities on the waterfront; Stone Watersports Club and Stone Sailing Club.

The village is protected from flooding by a sea wall which was reinforced in the nineties due to increased flood risk in the east of England. This provides a footpath along the south bank of the estuary with good views of the surrounding countryside. Also located at intervals along the sea wall are Type 2 pillboxes which were built to defend the estuary during the Second World War.

Nearest places

• Southminster
• Maldon
• Burnham-on-Crouch

External links

• St Lawrence Bay in the national news
• Information and pictures of St Lawrence village
• History of St Lawrence