Buckhurst Hill’s secret your neighbours know: 7 reasons you’ll ask, is this Essex’s best move?

Leafy lanes meet lively shopping streets. A forest edge frames café tables. Trains hum towards the city. Choices shape days.

Across Essex, people keep talking about one border town that blends weekend calm with weekday convenience. Buckhurst Hill, edging Epping Forest and sitting on the Central line, now finds itself back in the spotlight as a place many would happily call home.

Why Buckhurst Hill keeps rising

Buckhurst Hill has been named among Essex’s best places to live by Muddy Stilettos, echoing earlier praise from The Sunday Times. That dual recognition feeds a simple story: residents get a proper high street, quick access to London, and open woodland literally minutes away.

Two separate accolades, one consistent verdict: Buckhurst Hill mixes forest air with city speed, and locals feel the benefit every day.

The location helps. The town sits at the south-west edge of the district, with Epping Forest trailing right down to suburban streets. Walkers, runners and dog owners use it year-round. Meanwhile, the Central line whisks commuters into the capital in under half an hour, so days can shift from woodland paths to office meetings without a long slog.

The high street that actually earns its name

Queen’s Road: boutiques, beauty and a buzz

Queen’s Road anchors the town. It delivers a run of independents and specialist shops that feel busy on Saturdays and purposeful midweek. Fashion sits beside services, so you can sort a haircut, pick up gifts and grab a pastry in one loop.

One draw stands out. Never Fully Dressed, known for bold prints online, chose Buckhurst Hill for one of its only two permanent stores worldwide, the other being in New York. That decision says a lot about the local customer base and the steady footfall the street attracts.

Only two permanent Never Fully Dressed stores exist: one in New York and one on Queen’s Road, Buckhurst Hill.

Beauty salons, hairdressers and homeware shops add to the mix. It is the kind of street where people actually run into neighbours, then end up taking a detour for coffee. The pavements feel lived-in, not curated.

Places to meet, eat and linger

The food scene leans social rather than showy. Tandoor at the Chambers serves modern Indian flavours in a setting built for conversation. The Three Colts pours pints and delivers pub plates with a local crowd at the bar. Add cafés for brunch, bakeries for early queues, and evening spots that stay friendly rather than frantic.

Outdoor seating appears when the weather allows, and families with buggies slide in without fuss. Weeknights suit catch-ups. Saturdays fill quickly.

Forest on the doorstep, city on tap

Epping Forest sits right there—thousands of acres of ancient woodland stitched with trails, ponds and bridleways. You can cross a stile before breakfast, hear birdsong, then be back for a mid-morning flat white. Cyclists ride early. Joggers claim the dusk. Dogs think it is heaven.

The Central line puts central London within roughly 30 minutes, without swapping trains or losing half a day to travel.

Trains run frequently, and off-peak journeys often come and go with minimal waiting. Oyster and contactless keep fares simple. If your life moves between spreadsheets, studio time and school gates, that combination removes friction.

Who moves here—and why they stay

Three groups keep appearing. First, London professionals who want a greener base without losing weekday reach. Second, young families stepping up from smaller flats and looking for prams over pavements instead of traffic dodging. Third, downsizers leaving larger houses nearby but unwilling to give up cafés, trains and trees.

• Commuters trim travel stress while keeping London salaries in play.
• Parents value parks, playgroups and short trips for groceries.
• Independent workers use cafés as informal offices with decent coffee and plug sockets.
• Weekend walkers treat the forest as a gym without the membership fee.
• Fashion fans come for unique pieces not found on every main street.
• Food lovers plan weeknights around reliable local kitchens.
• Everyone benefits when errands cluster within a short stroll.

Practical trade-offs to check before you commit

Parking tightens around Queen’s Road, especially on Saturdays and around school runs. Book tables for prime times. Hair and beauty appointments go faster than you expect. Property here sits at a premium compared with many Essex towns, reflecting demand and the rail link. Rental homes vanish quickly when listed. Tube delays do happen, so keep a bus or rideshare plan for occasional hiccups.

Weekends bring crowds; if you crave solitude, time your errands early or midweek and keep the forest paths for later.

A Saturday test drive for would-be locals

Try this if you are weighing a move. Start with a brisk loop under the beeches. Pick up coffee and a pastry on Queen’s Road. Browse a couple of boutiques. Book lunch—Tandoor at the Chambers if you want spice, The Three Colts if you want pub comfort. Pop home for a change of shoes, then take the Central line for a matinee or museum. Be back in time for a quiet drink and a walk round the block. If that sounds like your rhythm, you have your answer.

How to make the most of the area from week one

Plan errands along Queen’s Road in one sweep to save time. Keep a pair of walking shoes by the door for spontaneous forest loops. Build a “rain plan” with indoor café spots so you never lose a day to the weather. Set phone reminders for salon rebookings before you leave the chair; slots vanish fast. If you commute, map two tube routes for days when service changes pop up without warning.

Questions to ask on a viewing

Not every street feels the same. Stand outside at school-run time and again after 9pm to judge noise. Check the walking time to the station and to Queen’s Road in real minutes, not on paper. Ask sellers about weekend parking habits. Test your mobile signal inside the property. If you work from home, sit in the quietest room and listen for traffic or planes. Then walk to the forest edge and look back—if that view makes you smile, you are probably in the right place.