There is plenty to do throughout the District of Braintree. Braintree & Bocking, Halstead and Witham are all genuine market towns set in the most beautiful countryside of North Essex. Braintree offers designer shopping at Freeport Designer Outlet Village (01376 348168). History and Heritage at Braintree District Museum (01376 325266). Elegant function rooms and art gallery at the Town Hall Centre (01376 557776). Medieval barns at Cressing Temple (01376 584903). Jousting Tournaments at Hedingham Castle, plus an award winning railway in the Colne Valley (01787 461174). All of this as well as some of the most picturesque villages the East of England has to offer including Coggeshall, Finchingfield, and the Bardfields.

Situated less than 20 miles from historic Colchester and Chelmsford, Braintree has a long and fascinating history – emerging from the forests of the Bronze Age as an important and flourishing market town located at the crossroad of Roman roads. Braintree still retains these excellent links to the coast, London and East Anglia via the A12, A120 and M11. With the addition of Stansted airport Braintree provides the perfect destination for a day trip or short break exploring the delights of North Essex.

For more information on 'where to go’ and ‘what to see’ please visit our website, call Braintree Tourist Information on 01376 550066 or come in and visit us at the Town Hall Centre in Market Place.

Population 134,900