The
River Brain is a river in
Essex,
England that gives its name to the town of
Braintree, although Braintree lies on a low ridge between the Brain and the
River Blackwater. Above Braintree it is known as
Pods Brook. The brook rises near the village of
Bardfield Saling. Below Braintree the Brain joins the Blackwater on the outskirts of
Witham.