Wickford is a town in the South of the English county of Essex, with a population of more than 30,000. It has become a commuter town, serving the City of London.
Wickford is approximately 30 miles (50km) East of London, which can be reached via the road network, or by train (taking less than 45 minutes buy train). Wickford falls within the District of Basildon along with Basildon and Billericay.
Geography
Wickford is located at 1. British national grid reference: TQ745937.
For the most part Wickford is flat and 10 metres above sea level. The highest point, on the outskirts of the town, is 74 metres above sea level. The River Crouch flows through the town, from the West to the East. The river Wick flows into the River Crouch from the South.
History
The town has existed since before 975. There is evidence that the area itself was inhabited in prehistoric, Roman and Saxon times. Wickford was referred to in the Domesday Book as both Wicfort and Wincfort[1].
Before the 20th century Wickford was an agricultural village.
American relations
It is believed that the Wickford in Washington County, Rhode Island, USA is named after this English town after a woman called Elizabeth Reid married John Winthrop, a Governor of Connecticut.
It is also claimed that John Kerry and George W Bush have a common ancestor from the town.
Naked Britain
Wickford became the birthplace of Naturism in Britain. In 1922 the English Gymnosophist Society was formed and had its home in the town.
The Second World War
During The Second World War the edge of town was hit by one of the German Doodlebugs.
Around the town, in amongst the hedgerows and fields, there are numourus Pillboxes.
The flood of '58
In 1958 Wickford town centre was hit by a flood.
Things in Wickford
- Wickford has no cinemas, theatres or nightclubs but it does have its fair share of pubs and it is served well by transport to London, Basildon, Rayleigh and Southend-on-Sea for these other entertainments.
- The Memorial Park in the north of Wickford.
- Runwell Hospital a mental health hospital with a secure services on the outskirts of the town.
- Adrian's which claimed to be the largest independent record store in the county.
Neighbouring villages
- South Hanningfield
- Rettendon
- Battlesbridge
- Rawreth
- Crays Hill
- Ramsden Bellhouse
- Ramsden Heath
- Downham
Notable people from the area
- Alvin Stardust's mother used to own and run a cafe just outside of Wickford railway station. Alvin, himself, worked on a building site in Wickford before he was famous.
- Edmund Reade a member of the minor Essex gentry. Said to be a common ancestor of John Kerry and George W Bush.
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