A county that’s been around since the time of the Romans in Britain, Essex is a former Saxon kingdom whose borders have been relatively unchanged since the early medieval period. Although it was never one of the most important realms that populated the English landscape in those years, it still had relative importance as home to one of the first Saxon settlements.

The best way to discover the county is to drive around and really soak in the beauty of the landscapes and the old towns and villages. Finding an Essex car hire company is easy enough and they’ll most likely be cheaper than most car rental companies in London.

If you’re into visiting historical places, a day trip to Thaxted will be very worth your while. The town went into a sort of arrested development with the rise of Sheffield as an industrial capital, which didn’t do anything for the local economy but did wonders for the historical preservation of the town. Notable buildings include the Guildhall, built in the 1400’s, the Parish Church of St. John, whose construction finished in the 1500’s and Dick Turpin’s cottage. The town itself is like a giant time machine, with lovely fields and windmills surrounding the town.