STANFORD-LEHOPE, ESSEX

STANFORD-LE-HOPE – STANFORD TO THE LOCALS – IS LOCATED 24 MILES EAST OF CHARING CROSS BUT FEELS A WORLD AWAY FROM THE CITY. SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE AND FARMLAND, WITH THE BANKS OF THE THAMES ESTUARY TO THE SOUTH, THIS ESSEX TOWN HAS EVERYTHING YOU NEED. WITH ITS 800-YEAR-OLD CHURCH, ST MARGARET’S, AT THE CORE, STANFORD-LE-HOPE HAS MORE OF A VILLAGE FEEL, ALBEIT A LIVELY ONE. THE FRIENDLY TOWN IS HOME TO AROUND 20,000 RESIDENTS AND HAS A GREAT SELECTION OF SHOPS, PUBS AND RESTAURANTS

Stanford-le-Hope has all the basics across the High Street and King Street, but if you’re wanting some serious retail therapy you would be better served heading out of town. You won’t need to go far, though – with both Basildon’s Eastgate Shopping Centre and Lakeside Shopping Centre close at hand, you’re spoilt for choice! Lakeside has a whole host of added attractions to explore too, from the somewhat predictable cinema and bowling, to the more novel Rock Up climbing centre and Immersive Gamebox, to the slightly bonkers Upside Down House and Hot Tub or BBQ boats on the lake!

On the whole, nightlife in Stanfordle-Hope is a low-key affair, but there are some lovely local options including traditional pubs. The Inn on the Green is a firm favourite with locals but there are plenty to explore, both in town and in the surrounding villages. Gino’s Taverna is popular for Italian food, and there’s a great selection of Indian restaurants.

The town is served by Stanford-le-Hope railway station. Thanks to its proximity to the capital and its c2coperated London, Tilbury and Southend line rail connections, you can be in London Bridge in under an hour. Perfect if you work in the city, or work from home but need to maintain regular links to London. There are also plenty of employment opportunities locally with many residents working at Lakeside, or in the businesses along the north bank of the Thames.

You needn’t go far from home for a fun family adventure. In town, Hardie Park is a joy – run by local staff and volunteers, there’s a cafe, play area, skate park and busy events programme. You can even pick up a refurbished bike at Old Spokes Home cycle hub!

If you fancy a walk, Thameside Nature Discovery Park is less than two miles away on the Thames Estuary; perfect for birdwatching and ship watching. With great rail connections and the A13 on the doorstep, London, Canvey Island and Southend-on-Sea are all also easily accessible for great days out.

So Resi Hope Green

Experience a new, greener way of life. This superb collection of 153 two, three and four bedroom houses and apartments are set within an ecological reserve, making Hope Green the perfect relaxing base for couples and families – quiet streets, open play areas and meadowland are right on the doorstep. There’s even a brook running through the site.

SO Resi Hope Green is one of Britain’s first zero carbon developments. Built in partnership with ilke Homes, the houses and apartments have been carefully crafted using advanced materials and modular building techniques to give them impressive eco credentials. The beautiful shared ownership homes reduce net energy use and shrink heating, lighting and water bills. In fact, there’s even a selection of Zero Energy Bills homes available. ilke’s proven quality has earned it accreditations from BOPAS, and Premier Guarantee and NHBC approval.

Internally, the homes are all finished to a high standard with Karndean flooring to all wet rooms and Beko and Indesit home appliances, with optional extended five-year warranties for added peace of mind. There is ample cycle storage and car parking.

The development also enjoys pedestrian-friendly streets, cycleways and walkways connecting it to the town – all lit sensitively at night for safety – and is located just a five-minute walk from Stanford-le-Hope station for an easy commute into London or a day out at the seaside!

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/so-resi-hope-green