Chickerell

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Chickerell
Dorset
Chickerell-North Square - geograph.org.uk - 956669.jpg
North Square, Chickerell
Location
Grid reference: SY643804
Location: 50°37’22"N, 2°30’19"W
Data
Population: 5,282  (2001)
Post town: Weymouth
Postcode: DT3
Dialling code: 01305
Local Government
Council: Dorset
Parliamentary
constituency:
West Dorset

Chickerell is a tiny town in southern Dorset, just west of Weymouth and very close to the coast. Just half a mile or so from Chickerell is the coastal hamlet of East Fleet, which sits not on the open English Channel but on the waters of the East Fleet, which isdivided from the sea by Chesil Beach. The parish had a population of 5,282 at the 2001 census.

Although Roman remains have been found, indicating that there has been settlement in the area for many years, as a modern town, Chickerell is recent and one of Dorset's newest towns.[1] Chickerell has seen much development over the last twenty years.

Geography

The parish of Chickerell has to the west the East Fleet, and the villages of East Fleet and Langton Herring. To the north-west is Portesham, to the east Weymouth. To the southeast beyond Weymouth is the Isle of Portland.

The remarkable Chesil Beach, which is part of the Jurassic Coast, runs alongside to the west of the village, providing a barrier between the English Channel and the waters caught behind it, one lagoon named The Fleet, nearly pinched in two and named the East Fleet and the West Fleet.

A major attraction in Chickerell is the Bennetts Water Gardens which is situated next to Chickerell Downs, a Woodland Trust wood.

Butterstreet Cove, East Fleet

Economy

There are two industrial estates: Granby Industrial Estate and the Lynch Lane Industrial Estate. Blundell Harling Ltd, BHC Aerovox Ltd, DEK Printing Machines Ltd, Tecan Components Ltd, Ultra Electronics, Weymouth Land Registry are some of the area's major employers.

Transport

The nearest railway station to Chickerell is Weymouth, 2 miles away.

The B3157 Chickerell Road connects Chickerell to Weymouth east bound, and Bridport along the coast to the west. This is the only major road in or near the town.

Outside links

References

  1. "Chickerell Census Town Profile". Dorset County Council. 2005. p. 2. http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=88128&filetype=pdf. Retrieved 16 March 2011.