Ever wonder about a place where Saxon names meet modern industry? That place is West Thurrock. It sits on the north bank of the River Thames. We are about 17 miles from Charing Cross in London.
West Thurrock has ancient roots. It was once an ancient parish. In 1894, it joined the Orsett Rural District. Later, in 1929, it became part of the Purfleet Urban District. By 1936, West Thurrock had become part of the Thurrock Urban District. This later became the borough of Thurrock in 1974.
The name Thurrock comes from Saxon origins. It means the bottom of a ship. West Thurrock is one of three Thurrocks. The others are Little Thurrock and Grays Thurrock.
West Thurrock has seen a lot of industry over the years. Along the Thames, you will find various businesses. A Unilever chilled distribution center handles brands. These include Flora and Bertolli. Also, a Procter & Gamble plant makes detergents and soaps.
Once, the West Thurrock Power Station stood here. This large coal-burning plant closed in 1993. It was replaced by a plant making industrial chemicals. The towering electricity pylons still stand. They are the tallest in the UK. High Speed 1 passes under the Thames near these pylons.
West Thurrock was a center for chalk quarrying. It was also known for cement making. Companies like Brooks and Tunnel Cement operated here. Today, Lafarge represents this industry below the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. A plant for aluminous cement opened in 2003.
The Lakeside Shopping Centre is located in West Thurrock. It stands on the site of a former chalk quarry. Tunnel Cement once owned this quarry.
Belmont Castle once stood in West Thurrock. This neo-Gothic mansion was built in 1795. Sadly, it was demolished in 1943. It was removed to make way for a chalk quarry.
The parish church in West Thurrock served a unique role. It was used for a funeral scene in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. The church is now redundant.
The population of West Thurrock was 7,795 in 2001. This gives you an idea of the area’s size. Nearby places include Aveley and Grays. You can also reach Chafford Hundred and South Ockendon easily.
For transportation, there are several stations. These include Chafford Hundred and Grays railway stations. Purfleet railway station is also nearby.
West Thurrock offers a mix of history and industry. From its Saxon name to its modern factories, it is a place of constant change. The towering pylons and the memories of chalk quarries remind us of its past. The Lakeside Shopping Centre shows its present. West Thurrock connects its history to the present day.