page_title: Halstead
section_title: Area
hierarchical_section_title: Halstead / Area
caption_attribution_description: English: Antiques centre and restaurant Former water mill now a antiques centre and restaurant Halstead Essex
context_page_description: Halstead is a town and civil parish in the Braintree District of Essex in England. It has a population of 11,906. The town lies near Colchester and Sudbury, in the Colne Valley. It initially developed on the hill to the north of the river. The name Halstead is said to derive from the Old English hald and stede, meaning "healthy farm", "safe place" or "place of refuge".
context_section_description: The wide High Street is dominated by the 14th-century church of St Andrew, which was extensively renovated in the Victorian period, but retains much older decoration, including tomb monuments from the 14th century and earlier.
  The historic core of Halstead can be observed on a walk up the market hill. A river walk runs through the town from east to west. Just outside the town is Broaks Wood, a popular area for walking owned by the Forestry Commission. Halstead Public Gardens were established in 1900 and are noted for their floral displays. The Antiques Centre is full of interesting pieces, ranging from clothing to household items.
caption: Townsford Mill, now the antiques centre
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