The railway arrived in Rayleigh in 1889, and transformed a quiet village into a bustling market town. Trains to Rayleigh travel on the Shenfield to Southend line, and there are regular services from the station to London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria. The station is to the north of the town centre, and the shops, bars and restaurants of the High Street are around ten minutes’ walk away. The High Street is also home to a popular outdoor market, held every Wednesday.
Standing between the station and the town centre is Rayleigh Mount, a hill that was once the site of a medieval castle. It was part of the first line of defence against armies marching on the London, but today little remains of the fortifications – instead Rayleigh Mount has become the green heart of the town, with fantastic views across the surrounding Essex countryside.