Essex lies to the north-east of London, bordered by Hertfordshire to the west and Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north.

Essex is a county of two halves with its southern industrial landscape merging into spendid countryside including Epping Forest as well as the rolling countryside around Saffron Walden and Thaxted to the north-west of the county and the peaceful countryside around Colchester and Bures to the north-west. Essex is also home to several coastal resorts including Clacton, Frinton and Brightlingsea on its eastern shoreline.

Essex has a great selection of pubs serving top-notch food alongside great ales including The Headley at Great Warley and The Cricketers at Clavering which has been owned and run for many years by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's family.