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Essex Leasing

Did You Know?

Way back in the day, Colchester in Essex used to be the capital of Britain. When the Romans invaded in AD 43, they set up Colchester (then called Camulodunum) as the capital. However, the town was attacked and destroyed during Boudica’s rebellion in AD 61, so it wasn’t the capital for long!

Loads of famous people hail from Essex. Jamie Oliver, Rupert Grint, David Gandy, Ross Kemp, Russell Brand, Sir Alistair Cook, Anne-Marie, Olly Murs, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Helen Mirren – the list goes on and on. Dermot O’Leary also was born in Colchester, Essex.

One of Scotland’s most famous sons was thought to have been born in Essex. Historians believe that Robert the Bruce was actually born at Montpelier’s Farm in Writtle near Chelmsford in 1274.

There are an impressive 14,000 listed buildings and around 1000 of them are Grade I or II, dotted all throughout Essex. The town wall of Colchester spans 1.5 miles and is the oldest of its kind – just a short way away from the Roman remains of the enormous Temple of Claudius which can still be seen under the castle

However, Essex takes the top spot for having the largest number of islands compared to any other county in England. There are 35 islands off the coast in Essex, Mersea Island being the biggest and most populated. Again, it is an amazing day out.

Across Essex there are some of the largest towns in the UK as well as the very smallest….. Manningtree is the smallest town in Britain, home to only 200 people! At the opposite end of the spectrum is the village of Tiptree which has a population in excess of 9,000, making it the largest village in Britain.

Rumour has it that five of the past US presidents were direct descendants from people in Essex. There are claims that the Mayflower, which famously made the transatlantic voyage to North America in 1620, had a crew that mostly came from Essex. This crew eventually settled in America become among the first American settlers there.

Greyhound racing is popular all over Essex, but once Romford Greyhound racetrack hosted a cheetah race in an attempt to draw in the crowds and make more money. Obviously it was banned soon after the race!

Essex is home to Epping Forest, one of the oldest forests in the UK. Bordering Essex and London, taking on an Epping Forest walk is a great day out, especially with the kids.