Essex is a county of contrasts. The west of the county is now seen as part of London with the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering actually positioned in Essex but almost indistinguishable from the rest of East London. Moving to the east, however, things are very different. Once past the end of the London Underground District Line at Upminster, the county becomes much more rural, green and pleasant. In many of these towns a small area of the old village survives, usually based round an old church. Many of the small villages have survived independently and stand alone surrounded by open countryside. It is not too difficult to find the odd thatched cottage or weather boarded house among the old buildings. Join Michael Foley on this nostalgic visual journey through the county, which will surprise and delight anyone who knows and loves this area.