This corner of Essex has gathered fans from Charles Dickens to TOWIE stars and Lord Sugar for its blend of history, open space, and good family homes.

Charles Dickens described Chigwell in Essex as “the greatest place in the world. Such a delicious old inn facing the church such beautiful forest scenery such an out-of-the way rural place.”

The old village clustered around St Mary's Church and the 17th century 'Ye Olde King’s Head' is home to the area's Georgian houses and weatherboard cottages.

The property scene

Chigwell has mainly large, detached family houses and many of the older houses are being knocked down and replaced with larger mansions often hidden behind high fences and electronic gates.

There are a number of recently built, luxury apartment developments close to Chigwell station as well as older schemes such as the ‘Bowls’ which was built in the sixties.

Lifestyle

Brook Parade is located close to the Chigwell station and serves the residents well with hairdressers, nail bars and tanning salons. There are also boutiques and coffee shops, an Italian restaurant, and an old-fashioned bakers.

Over the road the King William IV is a smart gastropub. The Bluebell restaurant in the old village by St Mary’s Church occupies a bow-fronted period house. Sheesh, in the nearby Ye Olde King’s Head is a Turkish eatery with an upstairs bar.

Open space

Chigwell offers plenty of open space with Hainault Forest Country Park covering 300 acres and includes adventure play areas, a small zoo, a fishing lake, nature trail and orienteering course.

There is also a golf club which has been very popular in the area for many years.

Schools

Schools include Chigwell Primary, West Hatch High and Chigwell School.

Travel

Chigwell tube station and Grange Hill tube station are both on the central line and provides easy access into Stratford and the City.

Postcode

Chigwell falls under the IG7 postcode and is part of Epping Forest Council.