ROCHFORD offers a rich heritage just waiting to be discovered which residents and visitors are being encouraged to come along and explore.

Rochford District Council owns three of the counties most famous historical landmarks- The Dutch Cottage, Rayleigh Windmill and the Old House- and would like to offer the public a chance to see them up-close and personal.

The Dutch cottage, on Crown Hill, Rayleigh, dates from around 1740 and is one of the most famous and easily recognisable landmarks in Rayleigh.

It measures 20 feet across, is hexagonal, has a thatched roof and is the oldest and smallest council house in the district and one of the most unusual buildings in the country.

Although the cottage is tenanted, members of the public can book tours which take place on Wednesdays Rayleigh Windmill is considered one of the finest in Essex and is in one of the finest positions on a steeply inclining hill, making it historically and visually important to the area and giving a terrific vantage point to see the surrounding country.

It has a rare cylindrical base and is one of the tallest mills in Essex.

There are six floors and originally there were four pairs of grinding stones, stables for eight horses and a spacious granary.

The mill was built in about 1809 and thrived in the early 19th Century.

The windmill continued in use until just before World War II and in the 1970s restoration work allowed the mill to be opened to the public.

Rochford Council has a number of partners in this project, including the National Trust. As the Windmill is adjacent to the ancient Rayleigh Mound and Bailey Castle, which is the property of the National Trust, this project could provide further opportunities to enhance tourism in Rayleigh and the district.

The Windmill is open Wednesday’s 10am to 1pm and on Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4pm.

The Old House in Rochford was built in 1270, seated on South Street it’s a real gem in the District’s crown and a must see for everyone.

The main hall was the first part of the house to be built and is more than 700 years old. Built of a timber frame with wattle and daub panels the house really was the height of luxury in medieval England.

Rochford District Council bought the building in 1982 and using traditional methods managed to restore the house to its original glory using as much of the original materials as possible, there was even a cauldron of handmade lime wash in the garden area which was used to paint the outside walls.

The Old House will be open all day to the public for tours on 10 September 2016 to celebrate Heritage Weekend.