Rayleigh is a historic market town with the highest population in the Rochford District. The town has retained much of it's traditional character with a busy High Street, which is well served by bus and train. The word "Rayleigh" is said to derive from two Anglo Saxon words, "Roe", a deer, and "Leigh", a clearing in a forest.

                                                                         PRESS RELEASE - RAYLEIGH TOWN COUNCIL PRECEPT 2025-2026