Essex Life’s resident artist, James Merriott, continues his watercolour tour of Essex. This month he’s in Toppesfield

Great British Life: Cottage in Stambourne RoadCottage in Stambourne Road (Image: Archant)

This home is beautifully positioned within a large, corner plot garden

Great British Life: Church LaneChurch Lane (Image: Archant)

Red post boxes upon their black posts are a feature I love to include in my watercolours

Great British Life: The Green Man InnThe Green Man Inn (Image: Archant)

This hostelry is very conspicuous in the centre of the village with flowers and the pub sign prominent

Great British Life: Chestnut HouseChestnut House (Image: Archant)

With the big pollarded tree, there was an extra incentive to complete this lovely view

Great British Life: The Church PorchThe Church Porch (Image: Archant)

Different from most church porches I have seen, I enjoyed the eye-catching stone

Great British Life: The Old Village PumpThe Old Village Pump (Image: Archant)

The sturdy open cover structure provides more of a shelter for people than the pump