Rayleigh

Rayleigh is a market town in the county of Essex that was first recorded in history in the year 604 when the Saxons received the Christian faith from Cardinal Mellitus, the first Bishop of London and third Archbishop of Canterbury. By the time the town is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, Rayleigh Castle has been built and is the only one in Essex; making it one of the earliest Norman castles in the country. The final historic account of Rayleigh Castle is in 1631 when it is described as a ruin. The Heritage Trail that takes visitors through the town is an excellent way to discover the history of Rayleigh.

The town today has ample amenities, good shopping, a choice of pubs and restaurants and an indoor market as well as the outdoor market that was started in 1181 and continues to provide vibrant shopping on Wednesdays. With historic sites and visitor attractions both in the town and surrounding area, there is plenty for visitors to enjoy. The Rayleigh Windmill is a popular visitor attraction with its interior transformed to provide modern display facilities exploring local history. Alongside the Windmill is Rayleigh Mount, where the Rayleigh Castle once stood with distinctive 'motte & bailey' defences.