Braintree, Essex

Braintree
Braintree Town Hall
Braintree Location within Essex
Population	55,792 (2021)[1]
OS grid reference	TL7522
District	Braintree
Shire county	Essex
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Braintree
Postcode district	CM7, CM77
Dialling code	01376
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Braintree
List of places UK England Essex 51°52′41″N 0°33′00″E / 51.878°N 0.550°E / 51.878; 0.550

Braintree is a town in Essex, England. The principal settlement of Braintree District, it is located 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Chelmsford, 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Southend-on-Sea, and 15 miles (24 km) west of Colchester. According to the 2021 Census, the town had a population of 43,492, while the urban area, which includes Great Notley, Rayne, Tye Green and High Garrett, had a population of 55,793.^[1]

Braintree district has 4 market towns, picturesque villages, a designer shopping outlet, historic houses and gardens and plenty to explore.

Braintree has grown contiguously with several surrounding settlements. The original settlement and parish of Braintree lay on the River Brain and was bounded on the north by Stane Street, the Roman road from Braughing to Colchester. North of that road was the parish of Bocking. The two parishes were united in 1934 as the parish and urban district of Braintree and Bocking, which was subsequently abolished in 1974 when the modern Braintree District was created. Several local organisations still include "Braintree and Bocking" in their names.^[2]

Braintree is bypassed by the modern-day A120 and A131 roads, while trains serve two stations in the town, at the end of the Braintree Branch Line.

Braintree is twinned with Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, France,^[3] and gives its name to the towns of Braintree, Massachusetts and Braintree, Vermont, in the United States.^[3]