Burnham-on-Crouch is a town and civil parish in the Maldon District of Essex, in the East of England; it lies on the north bank of the River Crouch. It is one of Britain's leading places for yachting.
Overview
Burnham-on-Crouch is a town and civil parish in the Maldon District of Essex, in the East of England; it lies on the north bank of the River Crouch. It is one of Britain's leading places for yachting.
The civil parish extends east of the town to the mouth of the River Crouch. It includes the hamlets of Creeksea and Ostend west of the town; Stoneyhills to the north; and Dammer Wick, West Wick and East Wick east of the town.
History
According to the Domesday Book of 1086, Burnham was held in 1066 by a thegn called Alward and 10 free men. After 1066 it was acquired by a Norman called Tedric Pointel of Coggeshall whose overlord was Ralph Baynard.
Historically, it has benefited from its location on the coast – first as a ferry port, later as a fishing port known for its oyster beds, and most recently as a centre for yachting.
The parish church of St Mary's Church, Burnham on Crouch is a large medieval church dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. The church is first recorded in 1155, when it was given to Little Dunmow Priory, and the Purbeck marble font dates from the twelfth century. The church's unusual plaster barrel vault dates from 1775, after the previous roof was destroyed by fire in 1774.
