Just 1 hours drive north-east of London you will find yourself in some of the most beautiful countryside in England, beneath the rushing skies of the East, on the coast of the great North Sea or in the bustling towns of Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend.
Traces of medieval times can be found in delightful market towns such as Saffron Walden, Coggeshall and Thaxted. Medieval industries such as silk weaving and saffron growing created great wealth for the county in the 17th and 18th centuries and this led to the construction of many beautiful houses and fine churches including, Audley End, Mistley Towers, Ingatestone Hall and Layer Marney. Close to the European mainland, many different cultures and historical events have influenced Essex over the centuries. The Normans left their mark with castles at Colchester, Hedingham and Hadleigh, while the Romans made Colchester their capital.
