Discover North Essex, One Village at a Time
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From Wethersfield to Saffron Walden, Finchingfield to Castle Hedingham and Thaxted, this is your friendly guide to one of England’s most quietly magical and quintessentially English corners.
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Step into a landscape of village greens, church spires, artists’ cottages and winding lanes.
Follow in the footsteps of the Bardfield artists, hear echoes of Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” in Thaxted, or simply wander between cosy pubs and duck‑filled ponds.
Pick a village below to start your journey, or jump straight into history, art or weekend‑away ideas.
Start with a village that catches your eye
Finchingfield
One of the most photographed villages in England – and it earns it.
Saffron Walden
A medieval market town, lively high street, good food, rich history, stunning countryside. Voted Best Place to live 2025 (Sunday Times)
Wethersfield
Quiet lanes, big skies and proper countryside calm.
Great Bardfield
Home of the Bardfield artists and a village with serious creative history.
Castle Hedingham
Storybook castle, cobbled streets and centuries of history.
Thaxted
Church spires, Holst, music and morris – all in one place.
What Is Discover North Essex?
This website is your friendly guide to the villages and small towns between Saffron Walden and Castle Hedingham, Braintree and Ashdon.
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It’s for anyone who loves:
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Art & music – from the Bardfield artists to Gustav Holst in Thaxted
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History & heritage – castles, churches, market squares and museums
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Walks, rides & drives – quiet lanes, the 2014 Tour de France route, bridleways and country rambles
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Good food & slow weekends – pubs, cafés, vineyards and cosy places to stay
Dip in for a quick look at one village, or use our ideas to plan a whole weekend exploring this quietly spectacular corner of England.
