and it can be reached via the Number 38 bus service from Braintree town centre. The Braintree District Museum is located opposite the Town Hall, along Manor Street, and was originally the Manor Street School. It was built in 1863, to replace the former British School located in the same place. Nowadays, it houses a selection of items showing the history of Braintree and Bocking. The Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens are situated on the northern side of Braintree, and are close to the District Council offices on Bocking End. They house a garden that was built in 1888, and given to the town of Braintree by Sydney and Sarah Courtauld. There are a set of guidelines for the gardens to keep it in good condition that have been set in place since it opened, and are still governed to this day. There are several churches around Braintree that may be of interest to people who visit, including St. Michael's along South Street/High Street, St. Mary's Church along Bocking Church Street, St. Peter's church along St. Peter's Road, just off of Bocking End, and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. In popular culture The character Lance Corporal Simon Lansley from the military comedy Bluestone 42 lives in Braintree. In the book The String of Pearls (mostly known as Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), the magistrate Richard Blunt plays a cattle breeder from Braintree to catch the murderer, in the next-to-last chapter. Neighbouring villages Villages in the Braintree area include Bocking, Black Notley, White Notley, Great Notley (a recent construction), Cressing, Felsted, Rayne and Panfield. Notable people Henry Adams (1583–1646) – ancestor of US Presidents John Adams (also a Founding Father) and John Quincy Adams; emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony from Braintree around 1638. Mike Baker (1957–2012) – BBC education correspondent. Grew up in Braintree and wrote a history of the town. Beans on Toast (b. 1980) – folk singer. Attended Notley High School and Braintree College. James Challis (1803–1882) – astronomer, born in Braintree 12 December 1803. The Courtauld family – one of the most prominent families of Braintree and Bocking during the 19th century. Their highly successful silk business made them very rich, and provided much employment in the area. They were very major benefactors to Braintree & Bocking, e.g. Town Hall, Corner House, Leahurst Hostel, William Julien Courtauld Hospital, land and buildings for