The gentle rolling countryside around Braintree has been home to
some less than gentle crusaders, famous explorers, ground breaking
scientists, the American air force and world-changing
industrialists.
It's also an area that knows how to kick back, relax and enjoy
itself. Great golf, wonderful walking, excellent -
leisure
centres, and unforgettable cycling - as well as even
more wonderful pubs and restaurants - are what we're all about
these days. Even Crusaders like Alberic "The Grim" de Vere would
probably taken to wielding a club rather than a sword and set off
down the fairway!
And you can afford to do it all in style as well - the -
Freeport Shopping Village at Braintree
sees to that. Antiques are a local speciality - as you would expect
from the home of the famous "Lovejoy" TV series.
If you are after something more unusual, the specialist shops of
Braintree, Coggeshall, Halstead and Witham are the place to be.
If it's entertainment you want, then you'll find everything from
fascinating exhibitions at the Braintree District Museum, to the
Royal Shakespeare Company, annual Puppetfest and numerous art
exhibitions.