Essex Historical Facts

St. Peter-on-the-Wall Chapel, in Bradwell-on-Sea, in the county of Essex, is the oldest church in England, having originally been built by Bishop Cedd in 654.

On 23rd March 1540, Watham Abbey was the last working Abbey or Monastery to be surrendered to the crown during the 'Dissolution of the Monasteries' which happened under King Henry VIII between 1536-1540 after his falling out with the pope. Over 800 religious buildings, including Monasteries, Abbeys, and Convents were disbanded during this period.

Manningtree in the county of Essex, claims to be England's smallest town, with just 700 people in 20 hectares.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has the longest pleasure pier in the world. It is an astonishing 1.33 miles long and was first built in 1830.