Little Baddow Village sign

The village sign in Little Baddow is one of those proper Essex finds that catches you off guard. It's a painted wooden sign, traditional in style, sitting at the entrance to the village just east of Chelmsford - the sort of thing you might spot from the car window and think, that's worth a closer look.

There's not much to it, to be honest. You're looking at a village sign, not the Sistine Chapel. But that's rather the point. These signs tell you something about where you are - Little Baddow's design reflects the character of the place, and if you're the type who actually notices these things, it's a moment to stop and take a proper photograph before moving on.

It works best as part of a wider wander through the village itself, especially if you're based at The Courts Campsite just down the road. The sign sits near the main approaches, so you can't really miss it. Families with kids probably won't linger long - it's a sign, after all - but walkers and anyone interested in village heritage will appreciate the stop.

Free to look at, obviously. Takes about two minutes unless you're the type to sketch it or write down notes about Essex vernacular architecture. If you're camping locally and fancy a gentle amble rather than a destination drive, this fits naturally into a loop around the village and surrounding countryside. East of Chelmsford, it's quiet and rural - miles away from the town's commuter sprawl.