Essex

The ancient county of Essex is in the east of England, to the north and east of London. It borders Middlesex and Hertfordshire to the west, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, and the River Thames to the south. The River Stour makes up much of the northern border. The Rivers Stort and Lea make up much of the western border.

Parishes in the south western corner of were incorporated in the London metropolitan area in the local government reorganisations of 1889.

“A county in the east of England, lying on the German Ocean, bounded by Suffolk, Cambridge, Hartfordshire and Middlesex; and separated by the Thames from Kent. It is about 54 miles long, and 48 broad, and is divided into 18 hundreds. Its surface is level, yet sufficiently varied not to be monotonous; but, excepting at a few points, the coast is flat and marshy. The rivers are the Thames, the Stour, the Lea, the Chelmer, the Blackwater, and the Coln. The soil is varied, but on the whole it is an admirable corn county. It has also excellent pastures; and some woods of considerable extent, such as Epping Forest. It produces in addition to farm produce, oysters called natives, and some few textile manufactures. Chelmsford is its county town, Colchester is a place of some importance.” [Barclays Complete & Universal English Dictionary, 1842-1852]

Essex has always been a predominantly agricultural county, with the south and west being influenced by its proximity to London.

Famous people from Essex

Sir Christopher Sibthorpe