Top 10 PRETTIEST Towns in ESSEX

What are the 10 prettiest towns in the county of Essex? To determine this, I visited them all. Here's what I found out.

As a disclaimer, this list is neither a social commentary, nor a guide on which are the nicest towns to live, but purely a judgement on the aesthetics of each respective town centre.

Thanks for watching, and be sure to tap that like button! And feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, whether you agree or disagree with the selections.

[AlexinGreatBritain]

CORRECTION: Colchester is Essex's 2nd largest settlement behind Southend-on-Sea!

Also, there's been a lot of passion shown for Finchingfield, and I appreciate that. As per the rules I laid out, it doesn't qualify since it's a village, although I'm now tempted to make a separate video devoted to Finchingfield at some point in the future.

[flashtheoriginal]

Im ex Colchester. Proudly. Its gone down a lot in the past 10 years or so. Wherever you go in England, whether you are from Chelmsford, Harlow, Grays, Southend, Colchester, Basildon etc.... whenever you are asked where you are from, its invariably responded with "Essex". I dont know of any other county where that occurs

Nice series

[Jackdog]

I grew up in Great Dunmow and never tired of its beauty.

[nickcolgan]

Finchingfield is worth a spring /summer visit 😎👍

[rebbell]

Lavenham, beautiful buildings, Parts used in Harry Potter, also some of the most amazing Antiques shops I've ever seen. Church is worth a look too.

[MisterNeowl]

Was very pleasantly surprised that you opened the list with Halstead, since that's where I grew up. Having spent most of my youth there and in the surrounding towns, I can safely say you got one hell of a list, and really captured what I feel is the "real Essex".
Great stuff!

[trudiegordon]

You hear too much negativity about Essex but it has amazing historical homes and green countryside. Colchester is a gem and truly one of my favourites. Bordering on Suffolk, close to London and the beautiful island of West Mersea and some great sandy beaches like Frinton but also near Stansted for flights to Europe and further. The castle and the park are beautiful and not sprawing like some towns or cities. It has a zoo and university and army base - diverse and beautiful.

[Holdeenio]

Really enjoyed this tour as an Essex boy myself. Born in Colchester now residing in Kelvedon, I agree with your top picks.

[steveallen]

Wow, these places look incredible! I've been to Lavenham, in Suffolk, and loved the timber framed, Tudor buildings! Maldon looked the best to me!

[Unsubscribbled]

I was very excited to see Coggeshall at number 1 as I used to live there! I drove through it less than a month ago, and my word, I never realised just how pretty the place is! :D

[MedlifeCrisis]

As someone who recently moved from London to Colchester I was suggested both your video and Turd Town’s “worst places in Essex” today and man I was biting my nails but thank god I’ve ended up in the right video! Although I work in Basildon…😭😂

[chrisfensome]

Essex is a much maligned county but this video shows just what beautiful towns the county has to offer. I often enjoy visits to Colchester and Manningtree for example and there is a wealth of history in Harwich. I live in Norfolk, close to the Suffolk border, and in recent years many people have moved here from Essex. Watching this video, it makes you wonder why.

[gregbeard]

Great video... How on earth is Finchingfield not here... And moreso, my village of Hatfield Broad Oak.

[Golding]

Essex is totally off my radar, I’m hoping to explore when I retire, it looks really lovely

[martyn]

I worked in the Cross Keys behind the bar in the early 1980's and lived in Saffron Walden from 1988 to 2003, great video

[iybjs]

I’m thaxted born and raised, and have many family still living there. I went to school in Saffron Walden and even spent a few years living in Dunmow. It’s wonderful to see so many places from my childhood represented in your lovely video. Thanks for making it

[russellnixon]

Thanks for this, you have inspired me to get out as see some of these lovely places this year. and for showing a positive side of my county

[krisjonesuk]

I’m a little surprised you left out West Mersea. It may not have the medieval architecture you pictured in your other chosen towns but it does have natural beauty and its history dates back to Roman times.

[diannewheatleygiliotti]

A terrific series, Alex. Outstanding video selections as usual. Keep them coming, please.

[mikethomas]

A gem of a video. I used to live in Steeple Bumpstead, so I’ve visited most of the towns featured, and make no disagreements with your placings.