| Country: | England |
| Official Name: | Shenfield |
| Coordinates: | 51.6297°N 0.3192°W |
| Population: | 5,396 |
| Population Ref: | [1] |
| Shire District: | Brentwood |
| Shire County: | Essex |
| Region: | East of England |
| Constituency Westminster: | Brentwood & Ongar |
| Post Town: | BRENTWOOD |
| Postcode District: | CM15 |
| Postcode Area: | CM |
| Dial Code: | 01277 |
| Os Grid Reference: | TQ614950 |
| Type: | Village |
| London Distance: | 20.8 miles |
| Population Density: | 788.9/km2 |
| Area Total Km2: | 6.84 |
| London Direction: | NNE |
| Static Image: | St Mary, Shenfield, May 2021 01.jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | St Mary's Church, Shenfield |
Shenfield is a suburb of Brentwood in the Borough of Brentwood, Essex, England. In 2020, it was estimated to have a population of 5,396.[2]
The former village, by the church and Green Dragon pub, lies along the original Roman road (now the A1023) which linked London and Colchester.
Nathaniel Ward, a Puritan clergyman and author, was made minister of the Shenfield church in 1648 and held that office until his death in 1652.
In 1870–72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Shenfield like this:[3]
Shenfield is a former civil parish; in 1931, it had a population of 3501.[4] On 1 April 1934 the parish was abolished. Most of the area, including Shenfield, was added to the urban district of Brentwood, whilst a smaller area was added to Mountnessing.[5]
The original village centre[6] is located 1miles north-east of the centre of Brentwood. Apart from some small industrial areas and a modest but busy shopping area.
The parish church is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin[7] and St Mary's primary school[8] is located nearby.
The town of Hutton, to the east of Shenfield, is now largely part of the built-up area.
The town is host to the Shenfield Cricket Club, founded in 1921[9] and situated on the Courage Playing Fields. The land was granted by the Courage brewing family for use by the cricket club. The club's badge is a cockerel, which echoes both the trade mark of the Courage brand and the weathervane on St Mary's church.
The Courage Playing Fields also contain a children's playing area.There are additional playing fields on Alexander Lane, next to Shenfield High School.
Shenfield railway station is situated on the following lines:[10] [11]
Currently, mainline train services reach Liverpool Street in 20 to 25 minutes. The Elizabeth line stopping services take 43 minutes to reach Liverpool Street. The excellent railway service contributes to Shenfield's significance in the London commuter belt.
The station is located on the A129, at the eastern end of the high street.
Bus routes in Shenfield are operated primarily by First Essex. Routes include:[12]
There are two state secondary schools in the suburb: Shenfield High School and St Martin's School; the two state primary schools are Shenfield St Mary's Church of England school and Long Ridings.
The shopping area in Shenfield consists primarily of independent stores and bars, shops and a plethora of other stores including takeaways, small restaurants, cafes, banks and hair salons.
Shenfield has a library, which was at risk of closure. However this was averted and a new library is being built in its place with retail and residential facilities.[13] Brentwood Community Hospital serves both Shenfield and the wider borough, and is on Crescent Drive. It was rebuilt in 2008 and is very modern. There is also the private Nuffield Health hospital on Shenfield Road, less than a minute away from the NHS hospital.
Shenfield is set to house the borough's second largest residential development as part of its Local Development Plan (LDP), Officers Meadow with 825 homes.[14] These will be built on land around Chelmsford Road near the A12 and the railway line. A new primary school, day nursery, and care home is planned, and there are hopes that retail and a health centre will also be provided. Opposite, new grounds for Hutton FC are being built. Several smaller residential developments have sprung up, on Crescent Drive, Shenfield Road and Chelmsford Road. 75 homes are also earmarked for land at the end of Bishop Walk, just off Priests Lane, not far from the town of Brentwood itself.