FARMLAND, green spaces and beautiful views make up the small village of Paglesham in Rochford.

The village lies about three-and-a-half miles out of Rochford and the the majority of the area is made up of farmland and open spaces, with the River Roach to its southern boundary, Wallasea Island to the north and eastern boundaries, and Canewdon to the northwest boundary.

There are two ends to the village - the Church End and East End - with a pub on either end.

Val Whittingham, a retired college lecturer, has lived in Paglesham for many years and thinks it is a wonderful place.

She said: “It is a privilege to live here.

“There are not many villages left in this part of south Essex, especially of this size, that haven’t been developed.

“Our house was built in 1970 to replace the original that fell down, and it is probably one of the newest ones in the village.

“We have been fortunate so far to have avoided development, unlike our neighbours in Canewdon. It is extremely peaceful. I am retired now but I used to be a college lecturer in Basildon and Thurrock and I used to love coming home to the village.”

All the cottages are named and end with Row, for example, Shop Row, in the road where the one shop used to be and New Row, where a newer, brick house is.