Essex area guide

Essex, in Southeast England, is a beautiful county with charming towns and villages, peaceful countryside and coastline. Home to over 1.5 million residents, living in Essex is affordable compared to nearby areas. History enthusiasts can explore old castles like Hedingham and grand houses like Audley End.

Various property types are available here, including townhouses, cosy beach cottages and quiet retreats in the countryside. Commuters enjoy excellent transport links with the M25, M11 and A12 connecting them to the rest of the country. C2C, Greater Anglia and Transport for London train services have direct stops in the county and some of the city's key hubs. The Central Line of the London Underground serves Epping with key links to and from Bank, Liverpool Street and Oxford Circus.

The county boasts excellent primary schools and a renowned university. The University of Essex offers academic opportunities and contributes to the area's employment.

Residents can unwind in Tollesbury Wick, Hatfield Forest and Danbury Country Park or visit seaside Adventure Island, Leisure Island or Clacton Pavilion Fun Parks. For shopping, Lakeside is nearby, with more than 200 retail stores. Braintree Village Outlet offers great discounts and is perfect for shopping. There are also fun events like the Chelmsford Beer and V Festival.

Essex is an ideal place to call home with its peaceful countryside, vast coastline, historic castles and sunny weather.