Sunday, November 24, 2024

Pretty UK commuter town is the ‘perfect blend of town and country’

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Essex, with its perfect blend of lakes, woodlands, rolling fields, and bustling high streets brimming with pubs, is well-known. However, Brentwood has always stood out for its unique offerings.

With London just an hour away and the new Elizabeth Line effectively making Brentwood a suburb of Central London, it’s the ultimate haven for commuters.

Brentwood has been recognised by Muddy Stilettos, a review and award site, as one of the UK’s Top 260 Places to Live, highlighting its desirability. TikTokker Dilan Kurt, known for his viral ‘Welcome to…’ videos where he visits and reviews various locations, also praised Brentwood for having more to offer than neighbouring towns.

The town has been lauded for its “perfect blend of town and country”, and it’s not hard to see why. With a wealth of activities on offer and its proximity to the capital, it appeals to both residents and visitors.

Muddy Stilettos concurs, stating: “Old MacDonald’s Farm and Fun Park is a perfect day out for little ones, King George’s Playing Fields has a splash pad with fountains, adventure playground and tag arena, along with cafe and soft play.”, reports Essex Live.

They also recommend the Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre for those seeking more active pursuits, where you can try dry-slope skiing, snowboarding or tubing, as well as local country parks like Thorndon and Weald.

After a day of exploring Brentwood’s farms, parks, playgrounds and slopes, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. The challenge lies in choosing which mouth-watering restaurant to visit.

Muddy Stilettos recommends Tarantino’s, a family-run trattoria known for its classic Italian dishes and specialities like halibut steak in butter and lemon sauce. Other notable mentions include Felix or Alec’s for their “Wow factor”, The Brentwood Kitchen for brunch, shakes and small plates, and The Fat Turk for meze.

Brentwood also boasts a wealth of family-friendly activities. The Brentwood Theatre offers fantastic shows, there’s an art gallery that hosts private classes and an arts centre where children can learn new skills at rock school and gain behind-the-scenes music production experience.

The high street is also family-friendly with Chicken and Frog offering books for all ages and Retro Giant boasting a “huge selection” of games.

Brentwood’s exceptional schools and nurseries are a significant draw for many. The family-run Treasures Day Nursery, catering for children from three months to five years, is rated ‘Outstanding’.

Similarly, Bright Horizons Phoenix Day Nursery and Preschool, with its variety of activity spaces, sleep zones, sensory areas, and an outdoor classroom, also boasts an ‘Outstanding’ rating. Muddy Stilettos, which ranked Brentwood among the top 260 places to live in the UK, highlighted St Joseph the Worker Catholic Primary, independent Brentwood School, Becket Keys Church of England, and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School as centres of excellence.

With a smattering of celebrities in the neighbourhood and an ideal location, Brentwood properties command high prices. For comparison, the average house price in England stood at £299,000 as of January 2024, while the average house in Brentwood costs over half a million (£542,698).

A flat in England typically costs around £248,000, but in Brentwood, flats sell for an average of £282,531.

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