Despite having a bustling town centre focused on shopping, and enduring quite considerable expansion in recent years, Rayleigh has succeeded in retaining its historic market town feel. It’s a very traditional English town in looks and character. There’s a popular Wednesday market which dates back to 1181!
Once there was a Norman Motte and Bailey here, now known as Rayleigh Mount, currently looked after by the National Trust. It’s worth heading up here to see views of the town and across the wider Crouch Valley. There’s also the iconic windmill which helps to give this town its own unique feel.
