Minster

Minster on Sea, historically, the only parish on the Isle of Sheppey, has reduced over the years, it now extends to almost half of the Island, lying in the centre with both North and South Coasts.

In recent years the village of Minster has seen significant residential development, making it now the largest settlement on Sheppey. The Island’s coast became a popular destination for visitors from London in the post-war period, with caravans and chalets an important feature in the landscape.
There is evidence of people living in Minster as far back as Roman times. Built on the “back end” of the cliffs, Minster overlooks the safe landing areas around Sheerness and Queenborough. Wards Hill, Warden, Warden Point indicate the significance of the island as a look out point in mediaeval times.

The Swale was an important sea route for the Romans which would have been vulnerable had the island been occupied by hostile forces.

The Parish takes its name from the Saxon word “Minstre” for the monastery founded about the year 664, on the site of earlier settlements. References to the Parish date from 1070, the administration continued until 1965, when the Parish Council was incorporated into the Queenborough in Sheppey Borough Council. In 1991 there was a petition to reinstate the Parish Council which was reformed in 2001 with eleven members.

Much of this text has been sourced from Minster on Sea Parish Council website for whom credit should be given please visit the site at
http://www.minster-on-seapc.kentparishes.gov.uk/