Londoners are flocking to this ‘lively’ commuter town less than 30 minutes away

Wannabe homeowners have long looked outside of London for a quieter pace of life and, crucially, more affordable house prices.

And now new research has found that Shenfield, a leafy suburb in Essex, is the best value location for those wanting to keep their commute under 30 minutes.

With excellent transport links (we’re looking at you Elizabeth Line), acres of woodland and independent shops, it’s not hard to see why Shenfield could be the perfect choice for London leavers.

And, residents are pretty pleased with their local area. ‘It is a commuter’s paradise, basically,’ said the manager of Foureighty coffee shop on Hutton Road, also home to The Shenfield Wine Company and cute florist, Jasmine Bleu.

To work out their top spot, Savills looked at the annual cost of mortgages and travel expenses for homes near more than 350 railway stations within 90 minutes of London. These costs were then compared to what you spend living in Zone 2 in London.

Things to do in Shenfield

Already feeling inspired? A million miles away from the concrete of central London, Shenfield has an array of green spaces for a bit of fresh air.

With more than 500 acres of woodland, Thorndon Country Park in nearby Warley is the perfect spot for a weekend walk – and you can even push the boat out a little bit with an orienteering course, a ramble along one of its many trails, or some horse-riding.

For a spot of coffee, there’s the aforementioned Foureighty and Hut99, and if you fancy a sweet treat, sandwich or afternoon tea, you can try Shenfield Bakery. Closer to Brentwood, there’s also MALINA Patisserie and Levain Bakehouse, which is famous for its sourdough offerings.

For pubs, there are tipples aplenty served at The Green Dragon and The Rose, which has more of a gastro vibe. Or, the Lot Bar and Restaurant serves cocktails as well as tapas.

There’s plenty in the way of independent gift shops too, with the French Quarter Gift Shop, Sincerely Yours Gift and Card Shop, and the Chicken and Frog Bookshop, which stocks literature recommendations for all ages. There’s also a dedicated neurodiversity room, a calming space stocked with sensory toys and books about everything from autism to dyslexia.

If you’re thinking about making the move, you’d be in good company, as locals have long touted Shenfield as an alternative to London life.

Over on the r/Essex Subreddit, @paddyorooney87 described it as a ‘nice place’ with a ‘decent high street,’ while @Fancydresschampion said it’s ‘full of young professionals’ as well as ‘places to eat, drink and shop.’

However, @Maleficent_Public_11 noted that access to things like the train station and various cafes can vary if you’re without a car.

‘A half-hour walk is fine for me on the weekend, but to get into work in the morning, I wouldn’t want to do it. The bus services to the station can be a bit awkward, and service has declined since Covid,’ they added.

‘If you can afford walking distance to the station, it would be a positive.’

Housing in Shenfield

The typical cost of a three-bedroom home here certainly isn’t cheap at £470,003, and much more than the national average, which, according to recent statistics from ONS, is now £269,000.

However, considering that a season ticket into London Liverpool Street is on the lower end of things at £4,008 per year, it actually works out cheaper than living in Zone 2, once travel and housing costs have been factored in.

As Jamie Stephenson, associate director of residential sales at Savill’s Chelmsford branch, explains, Shenfield topped the list for its ‘excellent transport links to London, further enhanced by the Elizabeth line, which has made it increasingly popular with commuters and families.’

‘Sought-after areas like Hutton Mount offer large, attractive homes within walking distance of the station, combining convenience with a semi-rural feel,’ he continues.

‘The area also benefits from outstanding schools, including Brentwood School and St. Mary’s CE Primary. Old Shenfield, with its leafy streets and period homes, along with a lively high street full of independent shops and cafés, adds to the town’s appeal.’

Transport links in Shenfield

Being on the Elizabeth line, Shenfield is ideally placed for a quick commute into London. With trains running every 15 minutes, it takes around 43 minutes straight through to Liverpool Street station. How’s that for nice and easy?

For a slightly speedier route, there’s also the Greater Anglia service into London Liverpool Street, which also runs around four times an hour, but takes just 25 minutes.

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