Braintree was issued a Market Charter by King John in 1199, and ever since then market days have become a focal point of the town.
They occur twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the pleasantly pedestrianised (and recently refurbished) Market Place. People come from far and wide for fresh fruit and veg and a rootle through colourful stalls selling all manner of interesting bric-a-brac.
Shopping is one of Braintree's attractions. The George Yard Shopping Centre offers 33 shops – independent retailers and High Street names – as well as restaurants and cafes. The attractive outdoor seating area is a good place to put down the shopping bags and take a breather
A more recent addition is the Freeport Designer Outlet Village located outside of the town centre. With its own train station, visitors come from surrounding areas to experience designer shopping at a fraction of the price.
There are around 80 stores in the pedestrianised outlet village as well as a cinema, a number of restaurants and a children’s soft play centre, which is handy for parents who wish to give shopping their full concentration.
Braintree has an interesting past. The woollen trade brought money to the town in the 14th century, and silk became big business in the 18th and 19th centuries - it was the Huguenot silk weaver Courtauld who bequeathed the fine town hall.
The place retains a good collection of historic buildings, including the listed timber-framed properties in the conservation area in the town centre - though these owe more to the wool trade than to silk.
The town's more recent manufacturing history is also textile related and is beautifully showcased in the Warner Textile Archive and District Museum. Warner and Sons set up their textile business at New Mills in 1895 but moved to Milton Keynes in the 80s.
In 2005, their archive of fabrics and papers from around the world was returned to Braintree and the place is now a major repository of design history, featuring work by Vanessa Bell, Walter Crane, William Morris, W.N Pugin, and C.F.A Voysey.
Other facilities Braintree offers are a swimming pool and bowling alley. For commuters wishing to move to a more affordable area, the town has a direct connection to London Liverpool Street, taking about one hour, and is also within close proximity of Stansted Airport and the M11.
Following the addition of many new properties over recent years – including the Great Notley Garden Village two miles outside town - the Braintree population currently stands at around 42,000 and will continue to rise with further development.
Property: It seems the South of Braintree, particularly Great Notley and the London Road area, is more sought after. St Michael’s Primary School catchment attracts young families, for obvious reasons.
Kings Park Village and The Marks Farm development, on the East side of Braintree, are also popular. These places can obviously come at a slightly higher price than others.
The one and two bedroom flats in the town centre are more affordable, as well as two bedroom Victorian cottages either in need of modernisation or already partly modernised.
Former local authority builds are also worth considering. Roads include Goldingham Drive, Coldnailhurst Avenue and Hay Lane. These are good quality and offer more space and therefore tend to sell just as well as the ‘more desirable’ areas.
Buyers: Many first-time buyers are attracted to Braintree. House prices are generally cheaper than a number of nearby places yet there are still good train links for commuters. For the size of the town there are excellent leisure facilities for the younger Braintree habitant.
Due to a boom in new properties in recent years, the town attracts young families. There are three secondary schools in the area; Alec Hunter Humanities College (39 per cent GCSE passes A* to C in 2006), Notley High School (69 per cent) and Tabor Science College (52 per cent).
Also in the area, Braintree College of Further Education offers vocational and academic courses.
Being an old market town with a modern edge, Braintree can appeal to more mature prospective buyers looking to downsize to small houses or bungalows.
Shopping
• A number of shopping areas service Braintree, including George Yard Shopping Centre and Braintree Freeport Designer Outlet Village.
• There are supermarkets and convenience stores within the surrounding villages.
Eating and drinking
• Braintree Freeport, Market Square and the town centre combined provide a wide selection of bars, pubs and restaurants, as well as two nightclubs.
Sports and Leisure
• Braintree Leisure Centre boasts an indoor sports hall, tracks, pitches and courts.
• Riverside Centre swimming pool has a 25 metre and trainer pool.
• Braintree Town Football Club plays in the Ryman Premier Division.
• The Braintree Tourist Information Centre can be contacted for any further details on nearby parks, historical buildings and any other leisure pursuits.
Entertainment
• 12 screen cinema.
• Unex Towerlands Arena is on the outskirts of Braintree. It is primarily used as an Equestrian Centre but has also been known to play host as a music venue with a fair sized capacity.
Transport
• Braintree station provides a train service to London which takes approximately 60 minutes, although it is often required for passengers to change at Witham.
• The Freeport station also operates but is tailored more for off peak use and therefore caters mainly for the Designer Outlet Village customers as opposed to commuters.
• A good bus service is in place in and around Braintree, including a route to Stansted Airport approximately every 5 minutes.
• Braintree is a short drive from Stansted Airport, the M11, A120 and A12.
1. Great Notley
Facilities: A village pub/restaurant, primary schools, supermarket and petrol station, doctors and veterinary surgeons are located in Great Notley.
Property and Buyers: As the village is a new development, there are a wide range of modern properties, making it one of the more desirable locations in the area. As a result the prices tend to be a little more expensive than Braintree.
It is an attractive place for families to live, with the nearby schools and other facilities right on the doorstep for Great Notley residents.
Transport: It is further from the town centre but within reach of the A120, Stansted, and M11. Good bus routes run to Braintree for trains to London.
2. Black Notley
Facilities: Black Notley has a shop, post office, veterinary surgeons and golf course.
Property and Buyers: Prices are generally on par with Braintree. There is a new development in the area which is popular with families wanting a more rural way of life.
Transport: It is slightly further from the town centre but there is a branch line railway station located in the nearby village of White Notley. Road links and bus routes are still within easy access.
3. Cressing
Facilities: Branch line railway line is situated in the village.
Property and Buyers: Cressing prices and amenities are similar to those of Black Notley. There is a choice of two different areas: the old village, which is close to the countryside, and the other which is closer to the main town on the Braintree to Witham road.
Transport: Within close proximity of road links and bus routes.