Ongar – Rural life in west Essex

The West Essex area offers plenty of green space, activities, numerous places to eat and shop, and good transport links to Central London. With a population of just over 6,000 people, Ongar presents a calmer, more family-friendly vibe than larger towns and cities nearby.

Chipping Ongar, the common name used for the whole town, has a delightful high street packed full of independent shops, pubs and characterful buildings, while Ongar Leisure Centre provides a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities.

For golf-enthusiasts, there are also a number of courses in the local area, while Ongar boasts acres of green space for keen walkers, offering routes, heritage trails and child-friendly walks for people of all ages. Other popular attractions include Rope Runners and The Secret Nuclear Bunker.

However, one of Ongar’s most popular features is the Zincs Arts Centre – one of the biggest disabled-led arts organisations in the UK specialising in disability arts, hosting various events, classes, shows, exhibitions, pantomimes and education courses.

There is also an abundance of places to eat. Smith’s offers beautifully presented food in modern surroundings, while Spice Masala offers the best Indian cuisine in town. The Mogul and The Vojan are other delicious curry houses, while Cucina Italiana serves top Italian cuisine. If you’re hungry for some authentic Turkish cuisine, however, The Fat Turk is the place to be.

Meanwhile, those looking for a traditional English pub are spoilt for choice: The Black Bull, Green Man, Queen’s Head, Red Lion, Royal Oak and White Heart to name a few, while The Woodman, The Stag and The Two Brewers are town favourites situated in Chipping Ongar.

Ongar also benefits from good transport links, making it an ideal location for commuters who work in London, Chelmsford and Brentwood, as well as those working at nearby Stansted Airport. Despite Ongar no longer having any rail links of its own, it’s close to a number of Central Line stations, such as Epping and Theydon Bois, as well as Brentwood and Shenfield rail stations – both soon to be part of the Crossrail route.

Speaking of Crossrail, its launch is sure to give a boost to Ongar, which will create a ripple effect. While there are no plans for a railway or Tube station in Chipping Ongar, the development of the Crossrail is likely to increase the town’s desirability.

With all that Ongar has to offer, it’s no surprise that its property scene is thriving, with the average price for a property here currently standing at just over £550,000, according to Zoopla.

Its family-friendly atmosphere, good local schools, and position between the picturesque countryside and the bustling city makes Ongar a good location to sell a home. Buyers who desire a child- friendly location with affordable properties don’t need to look any further, as Ongar offers a good sense of community and a village-like feel.

At Balgores Property Group, we have many branches across Essex and Kent and can help you to get your property sold for the best possible price. To find out more, please get in touch with us at one of our offices.

Additionally, you can see how much your home could be worth on the current market by requesting a free and instant online valuation.