Having lived in Billericay for many years, I love everything the town has to offer. With a great mix of modern amenities and traditional charm, if you’re looking to buy a property in Billericay, here’s a helpful area guide to give you a better understanding of what the town has to offer:
1. Housing: Billericay offers a diverse range of housing options, from historic cottages to modern apartments, and large family homes. The town has a mix of properties to suit different budgets and preferences, including detached houses, semi-detached houses, and terraced houses. The surrounding areas and villages also offer beautiful countryside homes if you prefer a more rural setting.
Billericay is also blessed with an array of charming villages surrounding the town with Little Burstead, Stock and Ramsden Bellhouse – which was recently voted the ‘poshest’ village in Essex, noted for its hefty house prices ranging from £800,000 up to £2,000,000.
You may be aware of Billericay’s Norsey Road, or ‘Millionaire Row’, as it is more affectionately known locally, boasting stunning palatial homes with sweeping driveways and large electric gates. Several properties have sold in excess of £2,000,000 in the last year with an average sold price in 2023 of £1,775,000 according to Rightmove.
2. Schools: Billericay has several highly regarded primary and secondary schools, making it an ideal location for families, which was particularly important for my wife and I when choosing to make Billericay our home with two young children.
Both Quilters and Buttsbury Infant and Junior schools are rated ‘Outstanding’ on their latest Ofsted reports (* as of January 2024).
Notable secondary schools in the area include Billericay School and Mayflower High, while the independent St. John’s School caters for students aged 3- 16 years.
3. Amenities: The town centre of Billericay is vibrant and bustling, with a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and there’s a Waitrose of course!
Coffee shops include chain branches such as Gail’s, Costa and Nero, while there are some fantastic independents such as Slipped Disc’s & Brown Sugar (with record shop inside), Cloud 9 Espresso Bar and Flamingo.
There are the well-known chain restaurants such as Ask and Giggling Squid and if you’re looking for something a bit fancy, there is Felix seafood restaurant and Layalina, a stylish and modern Lebanese.
For bars and pubs, you have an array of options on the high street with The Red Lion, Harrys Bar and French Martini to name a few. Chequers pub is always thriving, with droves of people outside and has live music, heated garden and fantastic craft beers. There are more traditional pubs on the outskirts of the town like the Duke of York, The Kings Head, and the Dukes Head in Little Burstead – which is a personal favourite – offering fantastic food.
4. Parks and Recreation: Billericay is surrounded by beautiful green spaces, making it a great place for outdoor activities. Norsey Wood is a popular nature reserve with walking trails and wildlife, while Lake Meadows Park, located in the centre of Billericay, close to the train station, offers a picturesque setting for leisurely strolls and picnics also benefitting from tennis courts, bowling green and a revamped playground. The town also has a leisure centre with swimming pool as well as a range of other gyms (such as PureGym) and yoga facilities.
Barleylands Farm Park and Craft Village is just outside Billericay and offers a great day out for the family. Animal petting, soft play and Adventure Golf are a small selection of activities that can be enjoyed here. We have particularly enjoyed the Peacock Pottery Barn and the Tiptree Tea Room and Café.
The area is well served by golf clubs with Stock Brook Manor Country Club offering 27 holes in the delightful Essex countryside and a state-of-the-art Trackman driving range. The Burstead Golf Club is a particular favourite and, for those looking for something low-key, a nine-hole course is available on Noak Hill Road.
5. Community and Events: Billericay has a strong sense of community, with various events and activities taking place throughout the year. In early December, the town hosts its annual Christmas market and parade – which is hugely popular- with over 20,000 attendees and 150 stalls with crafts, hot food and gifts to name a few.
There are also numerous clubs and societies catering to different interests, including Billericay Rugby Club, The Billericay Striders Running Club and The Billericay Operatic Society.
For football fans, Billericay Town F.C. play in the Isthmian League, the seventh tier of English football, at The New Lodge ground which has a capacity of 4,800 (2,000 seated).
6. History and Culture: Billericay has a rich history, with several historic buildings and landmarks to explore. The charming Cater Museum, on the high street, provides an insight into the town’s past and community, while the High Street is lined with historic buildings dating back to the 15th century. According to Billericay Town Council, the timber framed Red Lion is thought to date back to 1593 and there has been an inn on this site ever since.
Several passengers on the Mayflower came from Billericay and they were led by Christopher Martin to avoid religious persecution. This explains the many references to the pilgrimage in the town – Mayflower High School, Mayflower Taxis and Mayflower House.
The town also has a thriving arts scene, with a local theatre and art galleries. The Billericay Arts Association at The Fold offer activities such as sewing, crochet and medieval ink making.
7. Transport: A commuter belt town, London is easily accessed via the Greater Anglia line to Liverpool Street in 31 minutes and Southend Airport within 22 minutes. While road links such as the A127, A12 and M25 connect Billericay to many towns and cities such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Brentwood and Basildon.
Should you have any questions about Billericay, please feel free to reach out to me on 07377 342 565 or email at scott.west@exp.uk.com.