Hotspot

HOTspotBrentwood

The Only Way is Essex first hit our screens 11 years ago, putting Brentwood firmly on the map. While the show’s status has gradually declined, this suburban Essex town, surrounded by beautiful open spaces, just keeps on growing in popularity

5 REASONS WE LOVE… BRENTWOOD

1. Ease and speed of commuting 2. Retail therapy 3. Plenty of green space and woodland 4. Family friendly feel 5. Imagining we are in TOWIE!

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Brentwood is situated just 20 miles from London, and close to the M25, making it perfect commuting territory. With a population of around 55,000, the suburban town is home to a small shopping area and high street, beyond which are residential developments and open countryside. Excellent transport links and highperforming schools mean the area is popular with young professionals and families alike.

Brentwood takes its name from "Burnt Wood", a clearing made in the forest by a re. Remains of a 12th century chapel in the town centre bear testimony to its history as a stopping point for pilgrims travelling to Canterbury, and when Henry III granted a royal charter to hold markets, the town quickly developed into a place of commerce.

The town’s rich and varied history is well preserved, from Warley Hospital’s asylum buildings – now luxury apartments – to the Essex Regiment’s army base (once an elephant training school!), the gymnasium of which is now home to a trampoline club and of cer’s mess is now Marillac Hospital, a specialist centre for complex neurological conditions.

Brentwood residents already bene t from excellent transport links, with journeys into the capital taking 38 minutes from Brentwood station to Liverpool Street, and only 28 minutes from Shen eld station. The imminent arrival of Crossrail will make things even easier, as passengers will be able to make use of the Elizabeth Line, travelling through central London without having to change trains.

By road, Brentwood is located just a few miles from the M25, and close to the A12 connecting London to Chelmsford and Colchester. Stansted airport is conveniently only a 30-minute drive away.

Brentwood is a safe, family friendly area, with great amenities; perfect for those seeking to escape rising London prices and gain space. There is a great range of property in the town to meet all tastes and budgets including attractive and convenient new build developments, striking 1920s styled homes close to the station and some beautiful period properties in the centre of town.

OUT AND ABOUT

with great amenities; perfect for those seeking to escape rising London prices and gain space. There is a great range of property in the town to meet all tastes and budgets Essex is the perfect place for some retail therapy. Crown Street and the characterful therapy. Crown Street and the characterful old streets leading off Brentwood High old streets leading off Brentwood High Street are a must-do and The Baytree Street are a must-do and The Baytree Shopping Centre forms a natural link to Shopping Centre forms a natural link to the convenient car park. Shenfield and the convenient car park. Shenfield and Ingatestone high streets are also popular. Ingatestone high streets are also popular.

However, if you are planning some serious shopping, you will want to head to serious shopping, you will want to head to Chelmsford or south to the famous Lakeside, Chelmsford or south to the famous Lakeside, both of which are only around 20 minutes by both of which are only around 20 minutes by car. Slightly further away, Braintree Village car. Slightly further away, Braintree Village shopping outlet is home to over 80 premium shopping outlet is home to over 80 premium brands including Armani and Ralph Lauren. brands including Armani and Ralph Lauren.

While TOWIE may have had us believe that life in Brentwood is one big party, the that life in Brentwood is one big party, the town lends itself to a more wholesome town lends itself to a more wholesome lifestyle. There is an abundance of green lifestyle. There is an abundance of green space for nature lovers, including Shenfield space for nature lovers, including Shenfield Common, Warley Country Park and King Common, Warley Country Park and King George’s Playing Fields. There is also plenty George’s Playing Fields. There is also plenty to engage children; Old MacDonald’s Farm to engage children; Old MacDonald’s Farm on the edge of town is the ideal attraction. on the edge of town is the ideal attraction. Julia Donaldson fans are also in Julia Donaldson fans are also in for a treat with Thorndon for a treat with Thorndon Park, home to the famous Park, home to the famous Gruffalo Trail, and Gruffalo Trail, and Weald Park, home of Weald Park, home of the Stick Man Play the Stick Man Play Trail, both local. Trail, both local. For more For more formal fitness, formal fitness, The Brentwood The Brentwood Centre boasts its Centre boasts its own gym, pool own gym, pool and squash court, and squash court, while keen golfers while keen golfers

Average property price in Brentwood (June 2021) – £447,457 Property breakdown*

Detached – £818,293

Semi-detached – £496,881

Terraced – £371,484

Flat – £268,622

*According to the Land Registry House Price Index

HOMES ON THE MARKET...

FROM £260,000*

FAMOUS RESIDENTS

• Boxer Frank Bruno • Singer Pixie Lott • Actor Ross Kemp • Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread • The cast of TOWIE!

are served by three golf clubs in the area. Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre offers dry skiing and snowboarding to suit all abilities and overlooks more than 54 acres of beautiful woodland. The surrounding areas provide great cycling opportunities including exploring the charming villages of Ingatestone and Mountnessing.

History enthusiasts should take time to visit the picturesque Brentwood Museum, housed in a 19th century building, which offers a fascinating insight into Brentwood life in the early 20th century. The impressive Ingatestone Hall is also worthy of a visit; built in the 16th century, it is still home to the Petre family, who hosted Elizabeth I on several occasions. In contrast, the Secret Nuclear Bunker in Kelvedon Hatch is an eerily fascinating, subterranean reminder of the Cold War era. Elsewhere, The Brentwood Centre’s concert hall, Brentwood Theatre and Brentwood Arts Cinema Club add a healthy dose of culture to the town.

It would be doing the town a disservice not to talk about the nightlife. Brentwood has some fantastic restaurants to begin the evening. Local favourites include Tarantino, an authentic Italian restaurant with live music, and Masons, a brasserie with a focus on fresh fine food – the impressive set menu includes Shetland Isle Mussels and North Essex Pigeon Breast. Brentwood High Street also has a great offering of pubs and bars, from the reliable Slug & Lettuce to the rather more glamorous over-21s Terris Bar. And for those who don’t want the night to end, or just like a bit of TOWIE star spotting, Rumours and Sugar Hut will see you through to the early hours in style.

BRENTWOOD

Warley HQ

With its iconic facade, idyllic woodland surroundings and close proximity to London, Warley HQ will have much to offer the discerning homeowner. But it’s not just its location that promises to set this unique development apart and make it such a desirable place to live. This landmark residential scheme will offer a host of premium, life-enriching features and amenities that will make it not just a place to call home, but a complete way of living.

Warley HQ will see the former headquarters of the Ford Motor Company, itself located on the site of the old Warley regimental depot and barracks, converted into 330 luxury, one, two and three bedroom apartments. The conversion will span across seven oors and include luxury penthouses, each nished to a high speci cation. All apartments come with a parking space.

The lifestyle bene ts will begin from the moment you walk through the doors and into the stunning lobby. There you will be greeted by a house manager who will be able to assist with everything from organising residents' events, to reserving a meeting room for business or the dining room for pleasure. The Trattoria cafe will serve fresh coffee and food and there is even an app to pre-order meals.

Working from home just got easier, with a range of exible workspaces, from hot desks to meeting rooms and high-speed internet, combining to deliver a creative and inspiring environment.

A host of wellness features will offer the perfect work-life balance, including a yoga room and gym. Communal gardens boast barbecue and picnic areas and are surrounded by beautiful woodland. Underground parking, bike store and electric chargers make exible commuting possible and Brentwood station is just 20 minutes’ walk away.

Why Brentwood? An abundance of shops, salons, restaurants and more line the lanes of Brentwood town centre, with shopping concentrated on the high street and older, bijou side streets in the conservation area, such as Crown Street. Perfectly connected to the City and beyond, Brentwood offers a convenient alternative to London living with Liverpool Street station just a 40-minute journey away.

Warley HQ is from award-winning family run developer Land Charter, which is renowned for its high-quality nishes and careful consideration of the local environment, its history and its architectural in uences.

hamptons.co.uk/for-sale/search/cm13/page-1/p-newhomes

*Help to Buy available