Local Area

Colchester and surrounding countryside

Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, is the natural centre for North East Essex and South Suffolk. The industrial and commercial base is wide-ranging. The University of Essex is situated outside the town, and Colchester is a major army garrison town.

The town and its surrounding area provide a great place to live and work, offering a good blend of cultural, business, community, leisure and shopping amenities.

The town centre is well kept and has a pleasant atmosphere, combining an attractive mix of history and modern attractions. William the Conqueror's impressive 11th century castle, houses a very fine museum, and is surrounded by beautiful public gardens. Also to be found in the centre is a cosmopolitan selection of cafes, bars and restaurants, art galleries and shopping facilities, including twice-weekly outdoor market.

The area is exceptionally attractive for outdoor leisure. Sailing is a popular pursuit on the rivers Blackwater, Stour and Orwell, and the trendy Suffolk coastal towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold are nearby. There are excellent golf clubs and a growing number of health/fitness clubs.

Cultural entertainment is widely available, including music concerts, film and other events at Colchester Arts Centre and Charter Hall, eight screens at the new Odeon cinema, and plays at the Mercury Theatre.

For family entertainment, Colchester Zoo has large cat and primate collections, Leisure World has flume, spa pools, a lazy river ride, sauna and spa, and the scenic Colne Valley Railway runs steam trains.

A broad range of property is available. Many people choose to live by the coast, or in picturesque villages, such as can be found in "Constable Country", immortalised by John Constable in his paintings.

State secondary schools in the town regularly feature at the top of the league tables, and there is also a good choice of excellent private schools.

Colchester is conveniently located, with frequent trains to London Liverpool Street (about 55 minutes), Stansted Airport within easy driving distance (36 miles), and the nearby ports of Harwich and Felixstowe giving easy access to Europe and beyond.

Braintree and surrounding countryside

Braintree is a bustling market town situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of North Essex. Braintree District is a pleasant place to live and work, with a good choice of schools and excellent health facilities. The area offers a wide range of cultural, business, community, leisure and shopping amenities.

The District is steeped in history, from Roman and Saxon settlements to the industrial successes within textiles and manufacturing. There are plenty of attractions throughout the local area, from the medieval barns at Cressing Temple and jousting knights at Castle Hedingham, to Freeport Braintree Designer Village and the lakeside walks at Great Notley Country Park and Discovery Centre.

Braintree is conveniently located, with frequent trains to Liverpool Street and excellent links to the coast and East Anglia via the A120, A12, M11 and direct rail. Stansted airport is 16 miles away.