Essex
North Mill Place, Halstead
Halstead, on the Essex/Suffolk border, takes its name from two Saxon words meaning a healthy place to live. The Saxons established themselves and the market (originally in the middle of the town) by the 6th century, long before the Norman conquest. The Grammar School dates back to 1594. Originally a small rural town, its growth was much affected by the Industrial Revolution and the advent of the railway. Samuel Courtauld’s silk weaving mill, in the old town water mill, was built in 1827 and changed things dramatically and became, in time, the largest employer of labour, predominantly women, in the area. The iron foundry, flour mill, brewery and wood turning provided other local industries. With its two impressive churches, St. Andrew’s and Holy Trinity, standing on guard at either end of the town, Halstead has all the amenities for every day needs, including a small cottage hospital to the rear of North Mill Place. The Roman town of Colchester (!2 miles), Braintree (7 miles), and Sudbury (10 miles) and a fast train service from Chelmsford (19 miles) to London are all within easy reach.