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Real Essex comes as far West as the River Lea, that is to
say, it comprises the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham,
Redbridge and Waltham Forest as well as the Essex County Council area and the
towns of Thurrock and Southend on Sea.
The County has, like many others in England, a great variety of aspects. The industrial south-west stretches along
the Thames Estuary towards the very large seaside resort of Southend. Further round the coast are the gunnery
ranges of Shoeburyness and the wide mud flats of Maplin, a paradise for
watchers of sea-birds. Even further round, and the other side of the
Blackwater estuary, are the seaside resorts of Clacton and the very exclusive
Frinton, where charabancs, public houses and fish and chip shops are not
allowed.
The far north-east corner is occupied by the port of Harwich where the Dutch
influence can be seen in its architecture. The ancient city of Colchester is
not far away. The Suffolk border runs
westwards along the River Stour, where the hinterland is largely very
pleasant undulating countryside and quiet villages.
The County also contains the new towns of Harlow and Basildon, and London’s
third airport, Stansted.
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