Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell and Loughton form the Essex ‘Golden Triangle’ – all wealthy Greater London areas that boast tree-lined streets, independent shops and open spaces.
Despite its easy access to London’s city centre via the Tube, Buckhurst Hill has a distinct ‘village’ feel thanks to a distinct absence of chains and its proximity to Epping Forest.
A terraced home with two or three bedrooms can cost upwards of £500,000, while a detached home can fetch £1m.
Learn more about what’s on offer in Essex with our detailed guide.
Living in Buckhurst Hill: what to expect
Quiet leafy streets are lined with predominantly Victorian and Edwardian homes with airy bay windows and landscaped gardens.
Most shopping and night-time activity is focused on Queen’s Road, where you’ll find independent shops, hairdressers, cafés and restaurants. If you want more choice, central London is a short 30-minute Tube ride away.
The area’s rural feel is enhanced by the nearby wildlife and woodland of Epping Forest, which is London’s largest open space. Pleasant walks can be had alongside the River Roding, which curls across the eastern side of the suburb.
The open green spaces and generous gardens that come with many of the properties mean the area is popular among families. And both Buckhurst Hill Community Primary School and St John’s Church of England Primary School received ‘good’ ratings at their last Ofsted inspections.
Where to start your property search
Some of the most sought-after streets in Buckhurst Hill include Queen’s Road and Palmerston Road. Look along the latter for smart town houses with four bedrooms and painted black exterior railings – or grander detached homes with six or seven bedrooms.
Queen’s Road comprises predominantly Victorian semis, although you’ll also find a handful purpose-built flats.
Farm Way is another desirable patch of Buckhurst Hill. This wide but quiet residential street is full of 1950s detached and semi-detached homes, most of which have spacious driveways and attractive bay windows. Several of the houses come with mock Tudor detailing.
Secluded gated developments can be found in areas such as Epping New Road. Here you’ll find spacious detached properties, some of which have mock Tudor fronts, double garages and large gardens. You’ll also find period semis with large bay windows and corniced ceilings.
Look along the edge of Epping Forest for homes that are within touching distance of vast green space. Starling Close has comfortable four-bedroom detached homes, while the 1930s homes are slightly smaller in The Cedars.
A home with easy access to greenery can also be secured on Rous Road. Well proportioned, 20th-century semis on this road back onto Roding Valley Nature Reserve, meaning homeowners don’t have to travel far to escape to the Great Outdoors.
Houses built in the 1950s can be found on streets such as Almonds Avenue. Search here for a home with generous living space and even landscaped gardens.
Alternatively High Road has some 1950s properties that are set well back from the road. You can also look along High Road for terraced Victorian town houses, some of which have been converted into one-bedroom flats.
Classic Victorian bay-fronted terraces line areas such as Osborne Road. Some of the properties have gabled roofs and arched doorways, as well as narrow gardens that stretch behind the property.
Yet more Victorian homes are available on Princes Road and Hills Road. The latter has sizeable semi-detached properties that have high ceilings and open fireplaces.
If you’re a fan of period properties but want something a little smaller, take a look at Gladstone Road. The quaint cottages here – some of which are painted in attractive pastel colours – have just two bedrooms.
Getting around Buckhurst Hill
By rail: Buckhurst Hill Tube station is on the central line. Journey times to Stratford take15 minutes, while you can get to Liverpool Street in 24 minutes.
By car: The B170 offers access to the M11 which connects directly to the M25. More locally, by following the High Road and then Woodford New Road, you can gain access to the North Circular Road, which heads west towards Wembley.
By air: London City Airport is 30 minutes away by car. The business airport operates flights to 30 destinations including Nice, Palma, New York and Glasgow. Stansted Airport is just under 30 minutes away up the M11 on a good run.
Things to do in Buckhurst Hill
History: Admirable views and Tudor history can be found at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge in Epping Forest. It’s a unique example of a timber-framed hunting lodge and it was commissioned by the chase-loving Henry VIII. There are exhibitions on Tudor life, food and fashion inside.
Cultural: See a selection of contemporary and abstract artwork at Catch Galleries on Queen’s Road, or book a course or workshop at Buckhurst Hill Community Association. Tutored courses in activities such as calligraphy, creative writing and basket-making are all available here.
Live music is regularly hosted by The Railway, a pub on Queen’s Road. Karaoke nights and quiz nights are also regular fixtures.
Buckhurst Hill FC’s football ground is just off Roding Lane. The team is always on the look-out for new recruits to its senior team as well as its girls’ group and youth academy.
Outdoors: Epping Forest is ideal for relaxation and exercise. Visitors can walk, run, cycle and ride through the woodland or take part in one of the events hosted in the forest, such as a guided walk or craft activity day.
Explore more than 300 acres of open green space in Hainault Forest Country Park, which is just a short drive east of Buckhurst Hill.
This Green Flag park has a free zoo with llamas, donkeys and meerkats. There’s also a fishing and boating lake and a nature trail. Guided walks and Nordic walking sessions are also offered to visitors.
Roding Valley Park extends from Redbridge Roundabout to the border of Redbridge borough. Look out for ducks, herons and dragonflies as you explore the park on foot or by bike.
Shopping: Queen’s Road is the premier shopping hub for locals. The narrow street offers an assortment of independent boutiques including clothes shops, salons and florists. There’s also a Waitrose.
Food and drink: Seafood restaurant CATCH fish is one to look out for, combining British classics with Mediterranean flavours. Try devilled whitebait, fish soup or opt for a healthy bowlful of moules marinière.
Homemade and locally sourced food is served up at Green Owl Café and Deli. Breakfast options include buttermilk pancakes with fruit, while lunch can consist of a nostalgic fish finger sandwich or salt beef on rye bread.
Enjoy a glass of wine at The Queen’s Rooms, which was inspired by 1920s Paris café culture. It’s a café by day and a quirky bar at night, and serves meat that is grilled on an indoor barbecue system for extra flavour.
Hidden Buckhurst Hill
Take a tour around Queen’s Road to see the shops, bars and salons beauticians frequented by the cast of TV reality show “The Only Way is Essex”.
5 reasons to live in Buckhurst Hill
Leafy village living
Good commuter connections via the central line
Mix of independent shops and restaurants
Access to open countryside
Large period houses with generous gardens
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