Rayleigh, Essex

Details

Accessibility

Brief description

https://www.rochford.gov.uk/rayleigh

2025:

"Rayleigh is a historic market town and is the main centre of population in the District. The town has retained much of its traditional character and is a busy shopping centre, well served by bus and train. Rayleigh is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

The manor of Rayleigh belonged to Sweyne of Essex, the son of Robert FitzWimarc who built a castle in Rayleigh. The location is at Rayleigh Mount, which is today owned and maintained by the National Trust. A market is held on Wednesday mornings and dates back to 1181, when it was registered in the Exchequer Records of Henry II. The word "Rayleigh" is said to derive from two Anglo-Saxon words, "Roe”, a deer, and “leigh” a clearing. The Rayleigh Windmill is over 200 years old and is a museum and popular venue for weddings."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh,_Essex

"Rayleigh /ˈreɪliː/ is a market town and civil parish in the Rochford District of Essex, England, between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea, 32 miles (51 km) east of central London. It had a population of 32,150 at the 2011 census.[1] "

Address

1 Crown Hill, Rayleigh SS6 7HA

+ National Trust - Rayleigh Mount https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/rayleigh-mount

Rayleigh

SS6 7EW

+ Rayleigh Town Museum  https://rayleightownmuseum.org/ 

1st Floor

91 High St

Rayleigh SS6 7EJ

+ Rayleigh Windmill https://www.rochford.gov.uk/rayleigh-windmill

Bellingham Lane

Rayleigh

SS6 7ED

+ The Mill Arts & Events Centre https://www.rochforddistrictvenues.co.uk/

Mill Hall

Bellingham Lane

Rayleigh SS6 7ED

Email

clerk@rayleightowncouncil.gov.uk Rayleigh Town Council, The pavilion, King George Playing Field V, Bull Lane, Rayleigh, Essex, SS68JD 

Phone

01268 741880 Rayleigh Town Council, The pavilion, King George Playing Field V, Bull Lane, Rayleigh, Essex, SS68JD 

Website

https://www.rayleightowncouncil.gov.uk/

Directions

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

Transport

Rayleigh station

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh,_Essex#Transport

2025: "Rayleigh railway station is a stop on the Shenfield-Southend line. Greater Anglia operates services between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street. Three trains per hour run during the day in each direction; on Sundays, there are typically two trains per hour.[23]

Bus services are operated predominately by Arriva Southend and First Essex. Arriva's services focus on local routes, whereas First Essex services generally travel further afield. Services connect the town with Basildon, Chelmsford, Southend, Rochford, Hockley and Stansted Airport.[24] "

Amenities

2025: Main attractions include:

• Rayleigh Mount, The site of a medieval castle, now a green oasis for wildlife,https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/essex-bedfordshire-hertfordshire/rayleigh-mount
• Rayleigh Museum https://rayleightownmuseum.org/ 
• Rayleigh Mill https://www.rochford.gov.uk/rayleigh-windmill
•  "There is a small outdoor market on Wednesdays. Until 2011 it was located next to Rayleigh Civic Suite and Information Centre, opposite Holy Trinity Church. In 2011 it moved to the taxi rank in the town's High Street (outside Boots). The market dates back to before 1181 when it was inscribed in the Exchequer Records of Henry II.[40]

  The Dutch Cottage, the smallest and oldest council house in the United Kingdom, can be visited on Wednesdays by prior appointment.[41]

  Rayleigh Windmill has been renovated, including a structural renovation of the 19th century brick built building has now been completed. The basic external brickwork has been repaired and the interior has been transformed to provide four storeys of modern display facilities which has turned the windmill into a major tourist and educational attraction in the county. The changes to the windmill allow the public to view the interior and to exploit this local historic amenity for cultural, educational and tourism use.[42]

  Rayleigh Mount, a National Trust property adjacent to Rayleigh Windmill, is the site of a Domesday castle erected by Sweyn of Essex with distinctive motte-and-bailey defences. Edward Belcham Francis gave the Mount to the National Trust in 1923.[43] From its summit it offers sweeping views across the Crouch Valley.[44]

  Rayleigh Town Museum

  Rayleigh Town Museum occupies the 1st floor at 91 High Street and contains many artefacts telling the history of Rayleigh.[45]"