Leysdown-on-Sea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leysdown-on-Sea |
|
|---|---|
 The sea wall to the east of Leysdown |
|
 Leysdown-on-Sea
|
|
| Area | 1.055 km2 (0.407 sq mi) |
| Population | 936 (2020 estimate) |
| • Density | 887/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TR 034 704 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SHEERNESS |
| Postcode district | ME12 |
| Dialling code | 01795 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
|
Leysdown-on-Sea is a small village located on the eastern coast of the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, England. It's part of the Swale area. In 2020, about 936 people lived here. The wider area, called the Leysdown civil parish, also includes nearby places like Bay View, Shellness, and Harty.
Contents
History of Leysdown-on-Sea
Early Beginnings
Leysdown-on-Sea is mentioned in a very old book called the Domesday Book. Back then, it was known as "Legesdun." This name probably came from old Anglo-Saxon words. Leswe meant "pasture," and Dun meant "hill." So, it was likely a "pasture hill."
Growth and the Railway
For a long time, Leysdown was just a tiny village. Things started to change a bit after 1903. That's when the Sheppey Light Railway arrived. People had big plans to turn Leysdown into a large holiday resort with many hotels. However, these big plans never fully happened. The railway itself closed down in the 1950s.
Aviation Firsts
Leysdown has an important place in the history of flight! On May 2, 1909, a man named John Moore-Brabazon made history here. He became the first British person to fly a powered aircraft in the UK. He flew his Voisin biplane, which he called Bird of Passage, from the Aero Club's ground in Leysdown.
Changing Boundaries
In 1961, the area known as "Leysdown on Sea" had a population of 565 people. The name of the parish (a local administrative area) was changed from "Leysdown" to "Leysdown on Sea" in 1949. Later, in 1968, this parish was combined with another to form Queenborough in Sheppey. However, a new "Leysdown" parish was created again in 1983.
Geography and Nature
Leysdown is located about a mile southeast of Warden. It's also three miles southeast of Eastchurch. To the south, you'll find the small village of Shellness. To the southwest, there's a marshy area known as the Leysdown marshes.
The Isle of Sheppey, where Leysdown is, sits partly in The Swale and partly in the North Sea. Leysdown has a shingle beach (made of small stones) and mudflats that stretch out into the sea. In 2009, the Good Beach Guide recommended Leysdown's beach.
Local Economy
Farming and Tourism
Around Leysdown village, there are several large farms. These farms have both pastures for animals and fields for growing crops. However, the main way people make a living here is through tourism. Many visitors come from London during the summer months. Leysdown is home to one of the largest collections of holiday parks in Kent. These parks have many caravans and chalets for people to stay in.
Even in the winter, the shops, clubs, and pubs in Leysdown stay open. People living in Leysdown, Warden, and Bay View help keep these businesses going. On Sundays, a boot fair (where people sell things from their car boots) is a regular event. There's also a market every Saturday.
Aviation Industry's Brief Stay
In the early 1900s, the new aviation (flying) industry played a small part in Leysdown's economy. The UK's first aircraft factory was built here in 1909 by the Short Brothers. However, by the next year, their operations moved to nearby Eastchurch.
Fun and Amusements
Leysdown is famous for its family amusement arcades near the sea. There are six arcades in total. Each one has a special section just for people aged 18 and over, with games that offer bigger prizes. Many machines in the arcades give out tickets. You can collect these tickets and trade them for small toys, trinkets, and other fun prizes.
Important Landmarks
The Spinney is an open space right in the middle of Leysdown. It has a children's play area and benches where you can relax. The name "Spinney" comes from the small woodland that used to be there until the 1960s.
Getting Around Leysdown
Road and Bus Travel
The B2231 is the only road that leads into Leysdown. There are regular bus services provided by Chalkwell. These buses connect Leysdown to the rest of the Isle of Sheppey and to the mainland. Leysdown used to have its own bus station, but it was taken down in the early 1990s.
Former Railway Link
As mentioned before, the Sheppey Light Railway used to connect Leysdown to other parts of the island by train. However, the railway tracks were removed in the 1950s.
Schools in the Area
The closest primary school for younger children is St Clements Primary School. It's located on Leysdown Road in Warden. For older students, the nearest secondary school is Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey. This school was formerly known as the Oasis Academy. Leysdown also has its own primary school.
Churches Nearby
On the edge of Leysdown, you can find the graveyard of St Clement's Church. The church building itself was taken down in the 1980s. Other churches close to Leysdown include All Saints' (Anglican) church in Eastchurch and Sheppey Evangelical Church, which is part of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion.
