Situated on the north bank of the Thames at the start of "Long Reach", the longest part of the Thames out of London where sailing ships did not need to turn, the area has a rich history stretching back in to pre-history.
The name "Purfleet" was first documented in 1285 as Purteflyete and then as Pourteflet in the Close Roll for 1312. The origin of the name signifies "Purta's stream or tidal inlet."
The Knights Templar built a water mill on the Mar Dyke which eventually fell into the Crown Estates, before being sold in to private hands.
In the 18th Century the crown bought back a large part of the area to build the Royal Gunpowder Magazine to store and distribute gunpowder with a protective garrison beginning the area's rich Military history.
The arrival of the railway in the 1850s opened up the area as a tourist desination for Londoners to visit the chalk cliffs, botanical gardens and walks along the Thames and led to it being the setting for the home one of the greatest fictional characters of all time, Count Dracula.
The Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre explores all or this history and heritage in a fascinating and historical Grade 1 listed building, the last of the great Magazines.
Come visit soon or read more history using the buttons below.
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