County Dossier
Essex
From Saxon kingdoms: fields, forests, Roman towns.
Essex is a maritime county in south-east England, with a character that blends bustling towns, historic settlements, and rural landscapes.
At a glance
Essex at a glance
From Saxon kingdoms: fields, forests, Roman towns.
- Ancient Kingdom of East Saxons
- Formed 6th–7th centuries
- County of Roman towns
- Area: 1,591 sq miles / 4,121 km²
- Population: 2,999,248
- County top: High Wood, 482 ft / 147 m
County Geography
Essex is bounded by the Stour to the north, the Thames to the south, and the Lea side toward Middlesex on the west, with Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire around its inland edge. Estuary water and open eastern coast give the county one of England’s clearest lowland forms.
Estuary, coast, and inland ridge-and-vale country hold Essex together as one county despite later metropolitan change. The county’s geography is broader than any council label.
Map Reference
View Essex on the map
Essex is the county. The map also shows lieutenancies and council areas that use the county name.
The county.
The lieutenancy.
Council areas.
Places and routes
Chelmsford, Colchester, Saffron Walden, Romford, and Southend-on-Sea show the county from central county town and Roman town to upland market town, London-side Essex, and estuary coast.
Connections
Essex has long been organised by routes out of London, across the inland road network, and down to the Thames and North Sea shore.
Names
- Essex
- County of Essex
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County Reference
Explore Essex
Open the map to explore Essex, or return to the county index to browse other counties.