Hornchurch Area Guide

Hornchurch Local Area Guide

As a commuter town which offers unrivalled access to London and Essex, Hornchurch has an underground station on the District Line which connects it to nearby Upminster and to London and is also incredibly close to the Emerson Park overground line.

In terms of the surrounding area and landscape, Hornchurch presents itself as a quaint and peaceful place to live, with a diverse history and plenty to see and do without venturing further into the city. While your local estate agent in Hornchurch will answer questions relating to specific neighbourhoods and areas of Hornchurch, this area guide is designed to give you an overview of life in the Greater London town.

Where is Hornchurch?

Hornchurch is located between and Romford. Despite being considered a rather industrial part of East London, the proximity to the countryside and expansive country parks gives Hornchurch a very green surrounding landscape.

It has been considered a part of Greater London since 1965, though prior to that it was always listed as an ancient parish in Essex. This move to make it a part of London came with the rise in industrialisation and the expansion of both the city and the commuter belt.

Is Hornchurch a Nice Place to Live?

Hornchurch offers the perfect blend of a quiet and community-led life, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city but with access to calm and tranquil outside spaces when you need them.

While so much of Essex has remained in a rural state with long-lasting agricultural links, Hornchurch represents the parts of Essex that were developed through industrialisation – paired with the likes of Romford as a local market town, and Dagenham with its links to Ford and other major companies.

Thanks to the rich mix of history, cultural prominence, leafy suburbs and expansive parks, Hornchurch is an attractive and vibrant place to live – perfect for residents of all ages.

Is Hornchurch Safe?

We understand that, for those looking at properties for sale in Hornchurch, safety remains a primary concern. While Hornchurch’s urban location means that it has a level of crime in and around the town, this is considerably a low-crime town in comparison with other Greater London hotspots.

Primary and Secondary Schools in Hornchurch

Education is diverse in Hornchurch, with primary and secondary schools as well as colleges and sixth-form establishments all offering education to pupils from all walks of life.

Some of the most reputable schools around Hornchurch, and the ones that attract a younger family demographic to the area, include Scotts Primary School, Nelmes Primary School, Hacton Primary School, and St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School. City of London School for Girls also ranks highly, located on the border of Hornchurch and wider London, while Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College and The Albany School rank highly among parents in the area.

 Public Transport Links in Hornchurch

As is the case across all towns in the Greater London area, good transport is a major selling point for those who commute into London as well as those who want to make the most of their surroundings and access to beautiful spaces beyond the town itself.

Hornchurch has an underground connection to the District line and is also on several major bus routes which run in and around the outskirts of London. Hornchurch also benefits from being accessible by car, something which becomes more challenging the closer you get to central London.

History of Hornchurch

The history of Hornchurch can be seen through many of its architectural buildings and landmarks, which hark back to its days as a rural stopping point. Because the town has retained so much of its old-world charm even with the industrialisation surrounding it, residents are often drawn in by the connection between historical Hornchurch and the trappings of modern life.

Some notable landmarks around Hornchurch include the Hornchurch Windmill, Grade I listed St Andrew’s Church and the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre. The latter site is particularly crucial in the history of the town, as it provides insight and information about Hornchurch’s role as an RAF ground in both WW1 and WW2.

Things to do in Hornchurch

With Hornchurch acting as a standalone town and as a through route to the hustle and bustle of London, residents can find plenty to do locally and further afield.

Best Parks and Green Spaces

Trust us when we say you don’t need to go far to enjoy nature if you live close to Hornchurch.

Hornchurch Country Park is a beautiful outside space by any standards, with the park instantly allowing visitors to forget just how close they are to London. Tranquil footpaths and benches, lakes, woodlands, and meadows, offer somewhere that can be enjoyed and experienced all year round.

Hornchurch also has its own marshes, an area susceptible to flooding which is particularly popular with wildlife and bird enthusiasts.

And let’s not forget The Rom, which is Europe’s only listed skate park and is popular with skaters from all over the world.

Shopping

Hornchurch may not have a central train station, but the walk between the town centre and the underground station makes up just over half a mile – accessible on foot or by bus.

Once you reach the town centre, a high street offers access to chains and independent boutiques, spanning everything from art shops and galleries to fashion stores, garden centres, beauty salons, and more.

Hornchurch is not necessarily a stopping point for those who don’t live in the area, and so the high street is largely very functional, with everything you would need to feel settled.

Restaurants, Bars and Pubs

Similarly, Hornchurch has a wide variety of restaurants, pubs, and bars to choose from. Some of the top ranked eateries in and around Hornchurch include Italian and French bistro The Aviary, British restaurant Aspen Tree, Rienna’s classic steakhouse, and Umberto’s Italian restaurant.

Café 108 is the best place to go if you want a coffee or a baked good, while the typical high street chains are all available should you prefer to keep it simple with a set menu choice.

Entertainment

One of Hornchurch’s best-known landmarks is the Queens Theatre, which often plays host to plays, musicals, pantomimes, and different types of live performances for all kinds of different audiences.

Alongside the theatre, other entertainment venues and sites around Hornchurch include the skate park, which is popular with the younger crowd, the Country Park, the Sports Centre with its gyms and pools, and a local library which is particularly favoured by young families thanks to its commitment to community events and get-togethers.

What Is Property in Hornchurch Like?

Hornchurch is well located for access to London and the countryside and is renowned as being a relatively affordable place to live – while it doesn’t have the same facilities as Romford.

While it doesn’t have the same facilities and amenities as these bigger towns, Hornchurch does boast a variety of housing options, with detached properties, terraced homes, and small semi-detached houses often all sharing the same postcodes and the same street names. Perhaps the most coveted part of town is the Emerson Park area of Hornchurch.

For a town that offers the best of both worlds, capturing city and country living, prospective residents don’t have to look hard to find a property with dream home potential in Hornchurch.

Buying or Renting in Hornchurch

As a part of the Greater London commuter belt, Hornchurch is popular with tenants and home buyers alike. Many of the properties to rent in Hornchurch are managed by private landlords, with the higher-than-average number of bungalows making for ideal family and commuter rental homes.

New developments are in short supply in Hornchurch, though existing homes are always being expanded and upgraded.

Should I Move to Hornchurch?

With a distinct sense of community, plenty of different housing types for homeowners to invest in and make their own, and lots of history propping up the town and its plethora of attractions, Hornchurch offers the best of both worlds for residents. You can easily get into London for the day or for the weekend or keep it local and immerse yourself in historical tales, World War history, or nature's diverse landscape.

If moving to Hornchurch is something you’re keen to explore, get in touch with your local estate agent to book a consultation and to set up some viewings.