Essex Windows

Home to wide open skies, ancient market towns and one of the longest coastlines of any English county, Essex is far more varied than its reputation might suggest. Picturesque villages dot the rolling farmland of the north, while the River Blackwater and the Blackwater Estuary carve a dramatic path through the county’s quieter eastern reaches. The town of Saffron Walden boasts some of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the region, from its splendid parish church to the beautifully preserved timber-framed buildings that line its streets, while Dedham Vale – the landscape that inspired John Constable – draws visitors in search of the same tranquil countryside that captivated one of England’s greatest painters.

The Essex coast tells its own distinctive story. Mersea Island, accessible only by a tidal causeway, is celebrated for its oysters and unhurried pace of life, while Southend-on-Sea offers the full spectacle of the traditional British seaside resort, complete with the world’s longest pleasure pier stretching over a mile into the Thames Estuary.

Chelmsford, the county town and only city in Essex, brings a different energy altogether. It’s a thriving urban centre with a strong sense of civic pride, a rich brewing heritage and a music legacy that stretches from its celebrated venues to the stages of the world’s biggest festivals.

From grand Victorian villas and weatherboarded cottages to smart new-builds on the county’s expanding commuter belt, Essex homes are as diverse as the county itself – with a range of architectural, window and door styles adding plenty of character to its homes.