Property, Houses and Flats for Sale in Essex, England

Dwindling designated Green Belt land has partially prevented London's urban sprawl invading the county of Essex which is home to the "new towns" of Basildon and Harlow. Epping Forest also acts as a protective barrier to the developers' bulldozer, but the pressure to build more homes in the county is continual. Much of Epping Forest consists of the residential towns of Chigwell, Waltham Abbey, Loughton and Buckhurst Hill. The south-east of the county contains highly populated towns such as Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, and further development is planned within the Thames Gateway. To the north the county is rural and truly beautiful, with many towns, villages and hamlets often built in the traditional materials of timber and brick, with clay tile or thatched roofs.

The North Sea washes up on the twisting coastline of the county boundary of Essex to the east. To the south it's the northern bank of the estuary to the River Thames and to the south-west the suburbs of Greater London. Essex borders Hertfordshire to the west across the River Lee and the River Stort; to the north-west with Cambridgeshire; and to the north with Suffolk, mostly marked by the River Stour.

A brief history

The name Essex derives from the East Seaxe or East Saxons. The Kingdom of Essex was traditionally founded by Aescwine in 527 AD, occupying territory to the north of the River Thames. Essex is not part of the region known as East Anglia, comprising Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, as those areas were settled by tribes called 'Anglian'. Colchester, in the north east of Essex, is Britain's oldest recorded town, dating back to before the Roman conquest, when it was known as Camulodunon, and was sufficiently well-developed to have its own mint. Set close to the banks of the River Colne, and not far from the Essex coast, Colchester is surrounded by unspoilt countryside that has been immortalised in paintings by Constable, especially in the Stour Valley area. Colchester property ranges from imperious mansions fit for a Roman general, to the stark contrast of Greenstead, east of Colchester, where the housing estates typify the very worst of post-war planning. But there are major regeneration projects underway, and it may not be too long before Colchester overtakes Brentwood and Chelmsford when it comes to house prices. Currently, houses for sale in Colchester are very reasonably priced and for around £260,000 you will find a good choice of attractive, architect-designed, four-bedroom detached houses with double garage and garden.

Living in Essex

In the south of the county, Essex is populated with many highly developed towns offering accommodation to suit all pockets. Whether you are searching for flats for sale in Braintree, or for new homes in Frinton-on-Sea, or estate agents in Burnham-on-Crouch, you will find a good selection of properties for sale.

One of the most popular areas for people searching for property is the historic town of Billericay. In 1381, King Richard II's soldiers defeated Essex rebels at Billericay's Norsey Woods, ending what has become known as the Peasants' Revolt. During the reign of King George III and his son the Prince Regent, many excellent examples of the period's houses were built in Billericay. Of those remaining today, is Burghsted Lodge in the High Street, which houses the library. The road from Billericay to Tilbury had a reputation for highwaymen; masked criminals on horseback who robbed travellers at the point of a flintlock pistol. The railway arrived in Billericay in 1889, and today the leafy town is on the Great Eastern Main Line between London and Southend-on-Sea.

Three-bedroom end-of-terrace or semi-detached houses for sale in Billericay, in popular locations, such as new developments or Victorian townhouses, will cost in the region of £250,000. Substantial family homes with drive and double garages, offering four bedrooms, three reception rooms, three bathrooms, close to Billericay High Street and the mainline railway station, will cost £650,000 to £700,000.

Further from London, to the north of Essex, is the town of Braintree. It is located at the junction of two Roman roads: one coming from the county town of Chelmsford, about ten miles or so to the south-west, and the other running east-west from Colchester to Great Dunmow. There are two railway stations in Braintree, on the branch line to Witham, which joins the Great Eastern Main Line link to London Liverpool Street station.

Modern houses for sale in Braintree in stylish, architect-designed new developments, often with views over the countryside, offering three bedrooms, will have an asking price in the region of £220,000. One bedroom flats for sale in Braintree in new, purpose built, private developments, will be available for under £125,000. Detached family homes with four or five bedrooms, driveway, double garages, spacious gardens, come to market for £300,000. Period properties such as Grade II thatched cottages and Victorian mansions are closer to £450,000.

Essex estate agents have homes to suit all pockets, near primary and secondary schools, transport and shops.

Travel and transport links in the county of Essex

The M25 motorway and M11 motorway both cross the county, and the A12 and A13 trunk roads are important radial routes from London. The main rail routes include two lines from London to Southend-on-Sea, and the Great Eastern Main Line and the West Anglia Main Line. Epping Forest is served by the London Underground Central Line.

The main airport in Essex is London Stansted Airport, serving destinations in Europe and North America. Southend Airport has limited passenger flights to destinations such as the Channel Islands. There are several smaller airfields, some of which owe their origins to air force bases built during World War I or World War II such as Clacton Airfield and Stapleford Aerodrome, both popular for pleasure flights.

The port of Tilbury is one of Britain's three major ports, while the port of Harwich links the county to the Hook of Holland.