The market town of Rochford has been the centre of trade for outlying villages for centuries. In 1247 it was granted a charter to hold a weekly market, which still takes place every Tuesday morning in the market square.
The town centre contains one of the few remaining market town cross patterns in England, comprising North, South, East and West Streets.
In the 1500s, the Manor of Rochford was acquired by Sir William Boleyn. His granddaughter Anne was to become one of Henry VIII's wives and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Rochford Hall is the original home and manor house of the Boleyn's. Today, the Hall is partly residential and partly the home of the Rochford Hundred Golf Club. Members of the public are welcome to visit.
Walking tours of Historic Rochford and Old House tours are available from the Rochford Town Team - more details can be found on their website using the link in Related Content. You can also download the Heritage Trail app using the QR code below or by visiting the website using the link.
Did you know?
It is said that Henry Bolingbroke (the future Henry IV) was married at Rochford Hall.