THE TWELVE DISTRICTS OF ESSEX

 Essex isn’t just one thing – it’s 12 districts, each with its own personality, charm, and story to tell. From the buzz of Basildon, with its shopping, nightlife, and New Town energy, to the ancient streets of Colchester – Britain’s oldest recorded town – the county’s a proper mix of old and new.

Head north and you’ll find the rolling fields and peaceful villages of Uttlesford, while over in Tendring you can swap your shoes for flip-flops and enjoy classic seaside fun along the coast. Chelmsford, our county town, keeps things lively as the cultural and administrative hub, with a packed events calendar and plenty of places to eat, shop, and explore.

Brentwood and Epping Forest offer the best of both worlds – quick links to London but surrounded by countryside and green spaces perfect for walking, cycling, or just a lazy Sunday picnic.

Then there’s Braintree, with its rich textile history; Castle Point, home to coastal beauty and tight-knit communities; Harlow, with its arts scene and green open spaces; Maldon, famous for its sea salt and maritime heritage; and Rochford, with its mix of market town charm and waterside walks.

From history buffs to nature lovers, shopaholics to beach-goers, every corner of Essex has something to surprise you. It’s a county of contrasts – and that’s exactly what makes it worth exploring.

 Essex isn’t just about winding country lanes, bustling high streets, and fish ‘n’ chips on the coast – it’s also one of the southeast’s most dynamic business hubs. The county’s economy is as varied as its landscape, with industries ranging from advanced manufacturing and logistics to creative media, finance, and construction. Whether you’re running a one-man band from a spare bedroom, heading up a thriving SME, or steering a multi-million-pound corporation, Essex offers the perfect environment to grow and succeed.

Essex County Council plays a key role in supporting this ecosystem. Through tailored advice, networking opportunities, business-friendly venues, and flexible workspaces for hire, it helps entrepreneurs and established companies alike find their footing and flourish. From guidance on trading standards and business licences to signposting funding opportunities, the county’s business support network is practical, accessible, and focused on results.

The numbers tell their own story. The Essex Limited 2014 survey revealed that, while overall turnover across the county’s top 100 companies held steady at £7.0bn, operating profits leapt by a remarkable 48.3%. Much of this surge came from the property and construction sectors, but other industries also showed signs of renewed growth and confidence. This points to a business landscape that’s not just surviving – it’s thriving.

Essex has been the birthplace or home to a wealth of notable individuals who have made their mark across a wide range of industries, cementing the county’s reputation as a breeding ground for talent. In the world of entertainment, Essex proudly claims Jessie J, the powerhouse singer-songwriter whose chart-topping hits and dynamic performances have earned her international acclaim. The county is also famous for its reality TV exports, particularly from the long-running hit The Only Way is Essex, which propelled personalities like Mark Wright and Gemma Collins into the national spotlight. Both have since built successful careers in television, radio, and business, embodying the bold, confident character often associated with Essex.

But the county’s celebrity roll call doesn’t end with reality stars. Comedian and actor Russell Brand, known for his sharp wit and flamboyant style, hails from Grays, while actor and documentary-maker Ross Kemp, whose gritty on-screen presence has captivated audiences for decades, was born in Barking. Essex’s influence reaches the world of sport too — Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Max Whitlock trained locally before becoming one of Britain’s most decorated gymnasts, inspiring young athletes across the country.

Essex has also been home to celebrated authors, fashion designers, and musicians whose work has travelled far beyond the county borders.

  Essex has played a surprisingly big role in shaping culture, innovation, and history — often in ways that have had a ripple effect far beyond its borders. The county isn’t just pretty countryside and seaside resorts; it’s been the stage for world-firsts, bold ideas, and game-changing events.

Take radio, for example. In 1899, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi opened the world’s first wireless factory in Chelmsford, Essex. Just over two decades later, in 1920, it became the birthplace of the first-ever entertainment radio broadcast, forever changing the way the world listened to music, news, and voices from afar. Without Essex, your morning commute or lazy Sunday soundtrack might be eerily quiet.

The county’s influence also reaches into science and technology. Tiptree, for instance, isn’t just a quaint village — it’s home to the world-famous Wilkin & Sons jam factory, whose products are exported globally and have even been served at royal banquets. In the military sphere, Essex played a vital role during both World Wars, with its coastal defences and airfields acting as key strategic points.

Even in the realm of popular culture, Essex’s fingerprints are everywhere. From being the filming location for blockbuster movies to influencing Britain’s TV and fashion trends through The Only Way is Essex, the county has repeatedly set the tone for style, humour, and entertainment. And let’s not forget its motorsport heritage, with legendary race tracks like Brands Hatch (partially in Essex) drawing crowds from around the world.

In short, Essex hasn’t just gone with the flow of history — it’s been steering it. Whether through groundbreaking technology, mouthwatering marmalade, or cultural exports that make headlines, the county has left a lasting mark. The world as we know it would look, sound, and taste very different without Essex.

 Essex has seen its fair share of high-profile criminal cases over the years — the kind that grab headlines across the UK and even further afield. Some have been the stuff of gritty crime dramas, while others have become the basis for films, documentaries, and books.

One of the most infamous is the Rettendon Murders of 1995, better known as the Essex Boys case. On a cold December morning, the bodies of three men — Tony Tucker, Pat Tate, and Craig Rolfe — were found in a Range Rover parked on a quiet farm track in Rettendon. All three were major players in the county’s drug trade, and the killings were quickly linked to gangland rivalries, 

organised crime, and a violent battle for control of the market. The brutal execution-style murders sent shockwaves through Essex and beyond, sparking a massive police investigation.

The case didn’t just stay in the courtrooms and news bulletins — it went on to inspire a string of films, including Essex Boys (2000) starring Sean Bean, and later the Rise of the Footsoldier series, as well as multiple true-crime documentaries. 

Even now, decades later, the murders remain a point of fascination and debate, with ongoing speculation about exactly who ordered the hit and why.

While the Rettendon Murders are perhaps the most notorious, Essex has seen other criminal cases that have left their mark — from daring armed robberies and complex fraud schemes to major drug busts and high-profile murder trials. Each has played a part in shaping the county’s darker side of history, adding another layer to its already colourful reputation.