Other places in the district include Hockley, Ashingdon, Great Wakering, Canewdon and Hullbridge.

The district borders Maldon District to the north, the City of Chelmsford to the north-west, the Borough of Basildon to the west, the Borough of Castle Point to the south-west, and the City of Southend-on-Sea to the south.

Most of the built-up areas are in the western part of the district, along the railway line from Shenfield to Southend Victoria.

Southend Airport straddles the district's border with the City of Southend-on-Sea.

The district is also entirely covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.