Essex hotels accommodation, attractions
and travel information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAIN TOWNS IN Essex - Basildon Billericay Braintree Brentwood
Chelmsford Chigwell Clacton Coggeshall Colchester Epping and
Epping Forest Frinton Grays Great Dunmow Halstead Harlow Harwich
Ilford Maldon Manningtree Rainham Rayleigh Romford Saffron Walden
Southend-on-Sea South Woodham Ferrers Stansted Mountfitchet Thaxted
Theydon Bois Thurrock Tiptree Waltham Abbey West Mersea Witham
Woodford Green. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Basildon. The Basildon District is made up of three towns
- Basildon, Billericay and Wickford. Basildon old town square
is surrounded by numerous purpose-built shopping centres, with
over 200 shops located in the town centre. Basildon is on the
A127, about 30 miles from London. Basildon is 8 miles west of
Southend-on-Sea, 7 miles east of Brentwood and 10 miles south
of Chelmsford. Book :
Southend-on-Sea and Basildon (Explorer Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Basildon.
|
|
|
|
 |
Billericay. Billericay is only about 35 miles from London but
is on the edge of rural Essex. Billericay is 3 miles east of
Brentwood, 3 miles north of Basildon and 7 miles south of Chelmsford.
Billericay is 3 miles east of Brentwood, 3 miles north of Basildon
and 7 miles south of Chelmsford. The town has many historic buildings
and places of interest, the High Street has a fascinating collection
of timber-framed Tudor and fine Georgian buildings. Book: East London, Billericay and
Gravesend (OS Landranger Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Billericay.
|
|
|
|
 |
Braintree. Braintree is located in the heart of Essex. It is
a traditional market town of fine architecture and listed buildings,
its grand central tower with striking clock dominating the town
square. Braintree is approximately 7 miles north of Chelmsford
and 12 miles west of Colchester, located just off the A120 which
bypasses the town centre. Braintree is about 50 miles from London.
Photo : Braintree. |
More information and
accommodation : Braintree.
|
|
|
|
 |
Brentwood. Brentwood is conveniently situated at the point
where the A12 crosses the M25 London orbital motorway at Junction
28. Brentwood itself is 3 miles west of Basildon, 8 miles southwest
of Chelmsford and 5 miles east of Romford. Brentwood is the gateway
to a borough of green and pleasant countryside with attractive,
often historic and picturesque villages.. Book: Brentwood (Local Red Book). |
More information and
accommodation : Brentwood.
|
|
|
|
 |
Chelmsford. Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and is located
in the very heart of Essex, just off the main A12. It is 7 miles
north of Billericay, 10 miles north of Basildon and 10 miles
south of Braintree. Chelmsford is about 40 miles from London.
It has a flourishing retail centre, theatres, countryside walks,
canals, sports facilities, museums and historical buildings. Book: Chelmsford, Harlow and Bishop's
Stortford (Landranger Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Chelmsford.
|
|
|
|
 |
Chigwell. Chigwell Village is located in the southwestern
corner of Essex. It is 11 miles northeast of London, and has
been described as 'the first village out of London'. The area
is well served by the London Underground system and has 3 stations
in the area, at Chigwell, Grange Hill and Hainault. Chigwell
is about 5 miles south of Junction 27 of the M25 motorway, about
4 miles west of Romford and 5 miles south of Waltham Abbey. Book: Francis Frith's Chigwell (Photographic
Memories). |
More information and
accommodation : Chigwell.
|
|
|
|
 |
Clacton. Clacton on Sea is an attractive seaside resort,
located on the A133 just 10 miles southeast of Colchester. It
is 4 miles southwest of Frinton and 10 miles south of Harwich.
Clacton has floral promenade gardens, broad sands and the largest
pleasure pier in the UK, one of the first buildings to be built
in the new town of Clacton-on-Sea in July 1877. Photo : Clacton. |
More information and
accommodation : Clacton.
|
|
|
|
 |
Coggeshall. Coggeshall is situated just off the A120 between
Colchester to the east (9 miles) and Braintree to the west (6
miles). Coggeshall is about 60 miles from London. Coggeshall
has about 200 listed buildings including two National Trust properties,
Grange Barn and Paycocke House. Coggeshall Museum and Heritage
Centre opened in 1990 and was established to preserve Coggeshall's
historic past. Book: History
of Coggeshall in Essex. |
More information and
accommodation : Coggeshall.
|
|
|
|
 |
Colchester. Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town. It
is located on the A133, with the main A12 bypassing it to the
north. Colchester is about 65 miles from London, it is 12 miles
west of Harwich, 10 miles northwest of Clacton and 12 miles east
of Braintree. It is an interesting place to visit with notable
medieval ruins, Colchester Castle and the ruins of the Augustinian
priory of St. Botolph. Photo
: Colchester. |
More information and
accommodation : Colchester.
|
|
|
|
 |
Epping. Epping is a market town and lies on the northern
outskirts of Epping Forest, an area of ancient woodland, straddling
the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. Epping
is 3 miles east of Waltham Abbey, 17 miles north-east of the
centre of London and 5 miles south of Harlow. Epping is about
2 miles north of Junction 6 of the M11, linking London to Cambridge. Book : Epping Forest and Lee Valley
(OS Explorer Map). |
More information and
accommodation : Epping.
|
|
|
|
 |
Frinton. Frinton on Sea is situated in the northeast corner
of Essex, just south of Walton on the Naze, another elegant resort,
and north of Clacton on Sea. Frinton-on-Sea has a reputation
as an exclusive resort with an atmosphere of the 1920's and 30's.
Tree-lined avenues sweep down to the esplanade and the long stretch
of sandy beach is quiet and secluded. Frinton is 4 miles from
Clacton on Sea and 12 miles from Colchester. It is about 85 miles
from London. Photo : Frinton. |
More information and
accommodation : Frinton.
|
|
|
|
 |
Grays. Grays is located on the River Thames near Tilbury
docks and the Dartford crossing, close to London and the M25.
It is about 3 miles east of Junction 30 of the M25, approximately
15 miles from London and 12 miles from London City Airport. Grays
has a very large shopping centre, Lakeside, Europe’s biggest
shopping destination with 300 stores all under one roof, 13000
free parking spaces, a cinema and other entertainments. Book: Grays: West Thurrock, Corringham,
Stanford-le-Hope, Aveley, South Ockendon, East Tilbury. |
More information and
accommodation : Grays.
|
|
|
|
 |
Great Dunmow. Great Dunmow is an attractive market town situated
in the heart of rural Essex. It is located about 8 miles east
of Junction 8 of the M11, about 40 miles from London and 35 miles
from Cambridge. Located just off the A120, Great Dunmow is 5
miles east of Stansted airport, 7 miles east of Bishops Stortford
and 7 miles west of Braintree. The town prospered from the wool
trade and has many beautiful buildings from that period. Book: Francis Frith's Dunmow, Thaxted
and Finchingfield (Photographic Memories). |
More information and
accommodation : Great Dunmow.
|
|
|
|
 |
Halstead. Halstead is a small town surrounded by delightful
Essex countryside. Located on the A131, Halstead is 7 miles south
of Sudbury, 5 miles north of Braintree and 12 miles west of Colchester.
It is about 60 miles from London. It has a beautiful 18th century
white weatherboarded three-story mill built on the banks of the
River Colne, once used by the famous the silk weaver Samuel Courtauld.
Photo : Halstead. |
More information and
accommodation : Halstead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harlow. Harlow is situated in Essex, but only one mile from
the Hertfordshire border. The town is 7 miles south of Bishops
Stortford, 9 miles south of Stansted airport and 5 miles north
of Epping. Harlow is also about 30 miles from London, 40 miles
from Cambridge and about 2 miles north of Junction 7 of the M11
London to Cambridge motorway. Harlow is a large town, very modern
with a number of leisure facilities including recreational centres
and shopping precincts. Book:
Chelmsford, Harlow and Bishop's Stortford (Landranger Maps). |
More information and
accommodation : Harlow.
|
|
|
|
 |
Harwich. Harwich is a busy coastal town and international
port located on the estuary of the rivers Stour and Orwell. It
is located 12 miles east of Colchester, 10 miles north of Clacton
and 8 miles east of Manningtree. Harwich ferry port is a highly
efficient, modern, multipurpose port, and has become one of the
UK's most important North Sea ferry ports. Harwich passenger
ferry terminal is run by Stena Line who sail to the Hook of Holland
and DFDS Seaways who sail from Harwich to Esbjerg ferry port.
The old town of Harwich is a conservation area with many historic
buildings. Photo : Harwich. |
More information and
accommodation : Harwich.
|
|
|
|
 |
Ilford. Ilford is a town in north-east London in the Borough
of Redbridge and is predominantly residential. Ilford is 8 miles
east of London, 5 miles west of Romford and 3 miles south of
Woodford Green. Like many London suburbs, Ilford expanded rapidly
with the rise of the railway. A number of major businesses have
been founded in Ilford, namely the photographic film and chemicals
manufacturer Ilford. Book:
Ilford in Old Photographs. |
More information and
accommodation : Ilford.
|
|
|
|
 |
Maldon. Maldon is a small market town at the mouth of the
River Chelmer. Located on the A414, it is 8 miles east of Chelmsford,
14 miles southwest of Colchester, 5 miles south of Witham and
about 50 miles from London. Maldon is famous for its salt, the
salt-making remains the same today as it did hundreds of years
ago. The combination of low rainfall, strong winds, bright sunshine
and low-lying marshland produces good salty water. Photo : Maldon. |
More information and
accommodation : Maldon.
|
|
|
|
 |
Manningtree. Manningtree is a market town pleasantly situated
on the south side of the river Stour, where the river widens
into a broad estuary. Located on the B1352, Manningtree is about
75 miles from London, 8 miles west of Harwich, 5 miles east of
Colchester and 8 miles south of Ipswich. Manningtree and Mistley
are two picturesque adjoining villages. Nearby is Flatford Mill
where Constable painted his most celebrated painting, the Hay
Wain. Photo : Manningtree. |
More information and
accommodation : Manningtree.
|
|
|
|
 |
Rainham. Rainham is located in the London Borough of Havering.
It is 3 miles south of Romford, 8 miles south of Brentwood and
10 miles east of London. Rainham as it is known today has grown
from a Roman village, which is now at the centre of the town.
There are only a few ancient landscapes left in London and the
RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes nature reserve is one of them. Book: Dagenham and Rainham Past. |
More information and
accommodation : Rainham.
|
|
|
|
 |
Rayleigh. Rayleigh is a commuter town located just off the
main A127, on the north bank of the Thames estuary. It is 4 miles
west of Southend-on-Sea, 5 miles east of Basildon and 10 miles
south of Chelmsford. Rayleigh is about 35 miles from London.
The Holy Trinity church sits above the High Street, its tower
dates from the 15th century. The Rayleigh Clock (photo) is visible
from most of Rayleigh High Street. Photo : Rayleigh. |
More information and
accommodation : Rayleigh.
|
|
|
|
 |
Romford. Romford is a market town situated in the old county
of Essex, but now administered as part of the London Borough
of Havering. It is 3 miles north of Rainham, 8 miles northwest
of Grays and 4 miles west of Brentwood. Romford is about 4 miles
west of Junction 29 of the M25 motorway. Romford holds a regular
General Market with 270 stalls on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The market originated as a sheep market in the 13th Century.
Book: Romford Heritage. |
More information and
accommodation : Romford.
|
|
|
|
 |
Saffron Walden. Saffron Walden is an historic medieval town, located
in the north of Essex just a few miles from the Cambridgeshire
border. The town is close to, but largely undisturbed by, Stansted
airport and has excellent links to Cambridge. It is 10 miles
north of Stansted airport, 8 miles west of Haverhill and 14 miles
south of Cambridge. Saffron Walden is also about 5 miles southeast
of Junction 9 of the M11 motorway (the motorway links London
to Cambridge). Book: Saffron
Walden (Town & City Memories). |
More information and
accommodation : Saffron Walden.
|
|
|
|
 |
Southend-on-Sea. Southend-on-Sea is a seaside resort on the north
bank of the Thames estuary. Located on the A127, Southend-on-Sea
is 8 miles east of Basildon, 15 miles southeast of Chelmsford
and 4 miles east of Rayleigh. It is the largest town in Essex.
There are two direct railway lines to London, and the M25 motorway
is less than half an hour away. In addition, Southend also has
its own airport. Book:
Southend-on-Sea Past and Present in Old Photographs (Britain
in Old Photographs). |
More information and
accommodation : Southend on Sea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Woodham Ferrers. South Woodham Ferrers is a delightful and well-planned
riverside town, enclosed by the tidal waters of the River Crouch.
It is located 7 miles southeast of Chelmsford, 6 miles north
of Southend and about 40 miles from London. South Woodham Ferrers
is linked by rail to London's Liverpool Street. Book: Maldon: South Woodham Ferrers, Burnham on Crouch
(Street Plans). |
More information and
accommodation : South Woodham Ferrers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stansted Mountfitchet. Best known for its airport, Stansted Mountfitchet
is a small town on the Essex/Hertfordshire border. Stansted Mountfitchet
is located about 1 mile west of Junction 8 of the M11 motorway,
it is about 35 miles from London, 30 miles from Cambridge, 2
miles from Stansted airport, 2 miles north of Bishop's Stortford
and 8 miles south of Saffron Walden. Stansted also has its own
railway station, Stansted Mountfitchet, which offers quick and
comfortable journeys to London and Cambridge. Book: Around Stansted Mountfitchet. |
More information and
accommodation : Stansted Mountfitchet.
|
|
|
|
 |
Thaxted. Thaxted is a small country town with some beautifully
preseved medieval buildings. It is 5 miles southeast of Saffron
Walden, 7 miles from Stansted airport and 5 miles north of Great
Dunmow. Thaxted is about 10 miles northeast of Junction 8 of
the M11 motorway, about 50 miles from London and 25 miles from
Cambridge. With its famous three-tiered, half-timbered Guildhall,
magnificent church with its 181ft spire, and restored working
windmill set against a backdrop of medieval houses, Thaxted is
the jewel in Essex's crown.
Book: Francis Frith's Dunmow, Thaxted and Finchingfield. |
More information and
accommodation : Thaxted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theydon Bois. Theydon Bois is a large London commuter-belt village
in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is within the bounds
of the M25 motorway and is situated near to its junction with
the M11 motorway. Theydon Bois is about 2 miles west of Junction
6 of the M 11 Motorway. Theydon Bois is about 20 miles from London
and 45 miles from Cambridge.
Book: Official guide to Theydon Bois, Essex. |
More information and
accommodation : Theydon Bois.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thurrock. The Borough of Thurrock has a number of main settlements
including Grays, Stanford / Corringham, South Ockendon and Tilbury.
Thurrock is the gateway to London and the south-east and is linked
to the county of Kent by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, the longest
cable-stayed bridge in Europe. Thurrock is 20 miles east of London,
10 miles south of Brentwood and 8 miles SW of Basildon. Book: Grays: West Thurrock, Corringham,
Stanford-le-Hope, Aveley, South Ockendon, East Tilbury. |
More information and
accommodation : Thurrock.
|
|
|
|
 |
Tiptree. Tiptree is located on the B1022, about 8 miles southwest
of Colchester, 12 miles northeast of Chelmsford and 8 miles east
of Braintree. The Essex village of Tiptree is world famous, have
been producing fruit for Tiptree preserves for more than 115
years. The company grows much of its own fruit on almost 1,000
acres of land in and around Tiptree. Photo : Tiptree Jam. |
More information and
accommodation : Tiptree.
|
|
|
|
 |
Waltham Abbey. Waltham Abbey is a small market town in the south-western
corner of Essex, with Epping Forest to the east and the River
Lea to the west. It is 2 miles northeast of Enfield, 7 miles
south of Harlow and 8 miles southeast of Hertford. It is about
16 miles north of London. There has been a market in Waltham
Abbey for over 700 years, market days are Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Many old buildings with timber frames dating back to the 16th
and 17th centuries still survive and the old town centre has
been pedestrianised. Book:
Waltham Abbey (Britain in Old Photographs). |
More information and
accommodation : Waltham Abbey.
|
|
|
|
 |
West Mersea. West Mersea is a town on a small island known as
Mersea, just off the east coast of Essex. Mersea Island is approximately
5 miles long, 2 miles wide and rising only about 70 feet above
sea level. It can be reached by the Strood, the island's only
link to the mainland. West Mersea is 7 miles south of Colchester,
18 miles west of Clacton and 18 miles east of Braintree. There
is a large sandy beach with sand banks and shallow water making
it an excellent beach for windsurfing, a Victorian esplanade
and a river nearby. Book
: Colchester/West Mersea/Tiptree/Wivenhoe. |
More information and
accommodation : West Mersea.
|
|
|
|
 |
Witham. Witham is situated between Chelmsford and Colchester
on the main A12 trunk road. It is 6 miles northeast of Chelmsford,
10 miles southwest of Colchester and 6 miles southeast of Braintree.
Witham has been a market town since 1215. The town's current
high street, Newland Street, lies exactly on the path of the
old Roman Road. Witham's existing town hall was once The George
Coaching Inn with a history going back nearly 500 years. Photo : Witham. |
More information and
accommodation : Witham.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Woodford Green. Woodford Green is a suburb to the northeast of London
in the Borough of Redbridge, but was historically a part of the
county of Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest. Woodford Green
is 3 miles north of Ilford, 3 miles west of Chigwell and 6 miles
south of Waltham Abbey. Woodford Green is about 1 mile east of
Junction 4 of the M11, linking London to Cambridge. It is also
about 10 miles from the centre of London and 50 miles from Cambridge. Book: Woodford: A Pictorial History
(Pictorial History Series). |
More information and
accommodation : Woodford Green.
|
|
|
|
|
Essex
Attractions |
