HELP! Nice villages in Essex?

[Beckysk]

Hello,

I currently live in South-east London, and looking to move to a village/quiet suburb to bring up my daughter. Im looking for a village not far away from London (no further than Chelmsford), that has a good local school, lovely neighbourhood (not rough lol), some little shops, and some greenery. I was brought up in Kent, so am eager to get back to a little countryside :). If you could help me out with nice areas there I would much appreciate it :D

Becky

[Beckysk]

No-one know of any nice villages/suburbs I take it then!

[Oddjob555]

I have not lived in essex for some time, but Ingatestone is nice, Brentwood is also OK although not a village. I bit further than
Chelmsford it becomes more rural.

[Beckysk]

Thank you. Was looking at ingrate stone, writtle and great baddow. They seem nice, and reasonable house prices
!

[Beckysk]

Ingatestone**

[Spickle]

Billericay?

[rainbowfeet]

Great knotley & Black knotley are lovely my favourite is Maldon though.

[NancyOsbourne]

Broomfield, writtle, ingatestone bit further than Chelmsford (within 10 miles) are cressing, black notley, great leighs.

[Spickle]

Stock, Ramsden Bellhouse, Ramsden Heath, Downham, Margaretting, Mountnessing, Pilgrim's Hatch.........

[sara11272]

Yes, Billericay, though bigger than a village it's small enough that you'll see people you know in the high st etc. Stock, Ramsden Heath, Downham are smaller outlying villages, v pretty but less in the way of amenities.

If you want more info about anywhere in this neck of the woods please shout!

[GeeandTea]

Roxwell near Chelmsford is lovely.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Dedham.

[Beckysk]

Lots of places mentioned that I haven't even looked at. Sara, I looked up info about Billeracy as my partner has to travel so it's a bit closer, but not many people had much to say about it. Is it very green there? Suppose I'll have to have a drive round to see.

Thank you for all your answers! You've helped a lot!

[FallonColby]

Coggeshall, Feering and Kelvedon, are all lovely. Kelvedon is on the main line to Liverpool Street. Good schools as well.

[sara11272]

It is quite green, yes. There's a lovely park (lake meadows) and it's all quite open - you don't have to go far for proper countryside.

Do have a drive about and get the feel of places, it's quite hard to go on other peoples descriptions...Everywhere everyone has mentioned (at least, the ones I know) are all nice, but some will feel more like home than others to you, iykwim?

[Beckysk]

Yes that very true Sara! Thank you for your reply :)


I've looked at Kelvedon, that does seem lovely!

[MrsCosmopilite]

Writtle, Stock, Billericay, West Hanningfield. Maldon is nice too.

[Spickle]

Billericay is a desirable place, popular with commuters as the main line to Liverpool Street takes 30 mins. Plenty of shops and a nice attractive town centre. It is relatively expensive, though you might think it a bargain compared to London! Good schools, Mayflower and The Billericay School, as well as the private St John's school too. A catholic primary too, feeding into the catholic secondary in Brentwood. There are grammar schools in Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend. It's a lovely place for children to grow up, lots to do and the people are friendly! HTH

[kelper]

I lived in doddinghurst til I was 21, but that was 14 years ago! Blackmore, kelvedon hatch, are both nice villages, close to Brentwood/Chelmsford etc but still villagey.

[alfiemoon2]

i am looking to move to cressing whats peoples opinion on this village please. thanks

[lilz7788]

I live in The Rodings and it is gorgeous, lots of fields, few lovely shops and farm shops. Hatfield Heath is close by with post office, bakery, co-op, doctors surgery and is great for kids, plus with good schools too I am told! Writtle is also really nice and I'd love to move there if we had the budget. Sheering is nice too and a bit closer to Harlow for train links. Ongar is also really lovely, basically a one road village, but has a lot of lovely shops and nice pubs, with a great family friendly atmosphere. Abridge is a nice small village too which is closer to Loughton/Buckhurst Hill/Chigwell for good transport links.

[OverinaFlash]

Leigh-on-sea! More town, less village, but Old Leigh has lovely shops etc and easy to get to London for work.