Essex

Essex forms a link between the South East of England and East Anglia, and is a county of contrasts.

While its southwestern extremities merge into the sprawl of Greater London, its northern regions are much more rural in character.

Indeed, while Essex’s neighbouring county of Suffolk has long been celebrated for the landscapes that inspired John Constable’s paintings, it is a fact that many of his works were indeed of scenes in Essex.

In addition to the borders shared with Suffolk and London, Essex is also bordered by Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and the Thames Estuary.