It is located on the western (inland) end of the Dengie peninsula and forms part of the Purleigh ward in the Maldon district.

Even though not opened it played a role nonetheless, being bombed by the Luftwaffe and used as an emergency landing site by a damaged Hawker Hurricane.

[5] Stow St Mary Halt railway station on the Woodham Ferrers to Maldon branch line served the village until closure in 1939.

The track has been removed and the area and an adjoining meadow are now managed as Stow Maries Halt nature reserve by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

There is a table tennis team, which trains in the Smythe Hall, many footpaths and the old railway line, part of which is used as a cycle route.