Wickford Area Guide

If you ask its residents, Wickford offers a perfect blend of life in rural Essex, but with the convenience of a town that has modernised and adapted to the rise of industrialisation. Having a main train station which connects the smaller local lines with the major London line is a huge selling point for commuters and keeps residents well connected to life outside the town.

But is this somewhere that you should consider living? 

Wickford Local Area Guide

Ask any estate agent in Wickford, and they will tell you that the property market in Wickford is one of the most diverse in the whole of Essex. This is because life in Wickford combines natural scenery with a thriving town, that boasts a weekly market and a blend of high street names and more independent and local boutique stores and businesses.

As with any local area guide, it’s important for potential residents to understand the realities of life in the more rural landscape of Essex. If you are looking to slow down and enjoy peaceful evenings and weekends, then Wickford has plenty to offer.

Where is Wickford?

It takes around 35 minutes on the train to get from London Liverpool Street to Wickford, via direct train on the Greater Anglia line. It is positioned a short drive from the A127 which carries drivers out towards Southend and is equally well placed for the A130 up to Chelmsford.

Wickford is also a short drive from Battlesbridge where avid boat owners can get onto the river and start their journey up the River Crouch towards Burnham on Crouch, via several charming towns and villages on the Dengie. Suffice to say, from a location perspective, Wickford is well placed for access towards London as well as further into Essex.

Is Wickford a Nice Place to Live?

Wickford is surrounded by quaint or peaceful villages including Battlesbridge and the upmarket Hanningfield’s and boasts a laid back way of life with access to bustling neighbours Basildon and Billericay. Because it is right on the border of so much green space and countryside, giving it a peaceful, rural feel while still being well-connected. You’ll sometimes see tractors on the roads, a sign of the town’s farming roots and the lovely green spaces just beyond its borders.

Is Wickford Safe?

While local and petty crime do occur in Wickford, as is the case across most towns, Wickford is considered a relatively safe town in Essex.

The increase in families who call Wickford home, and the rising number of young couples as well as retirees, mean that Wickford is a more peaceful town than many other parts of Essex.

Primary and Secondary Schools in Wickford

On now to schooling, and it’s important to note that this part of Essex boasts a number of nearby private and preparatory schools in Maldon, Billericay and around Chelmsford, attracting those who can pay for private education.

Wickford itself is home to several schools, including the popular Wickford Church of England School, North Crescent Primary, and Wickford Primary schools. Beauchamps High School is a secondary school which is rated ‘Outstanding’ in the local area, or there’s The Bromfords School which is another option available to local families.

Public Transport Links in Wickford

The placement of Wickford is such that it’s just as accessible by public transport as it is by car.

Countless roads run in all directions out of the town, making it somewhat of a central hub for surrounding areas. Or, residents can hop on the bus, or on one of the main Greater Anglia lines running towards London or out into the depths of rural Essex.

The branch line at Wickford runs through the Dengie Peninsula terminating at Southminster via Burnham on Crouch, while the main line runs to London Liverpool Street.

History of Wickford

From natural scenery to the industrialisation of Wickford through its train station, the history of this town is steeped in change.

Once home to a British tribe more than 2,000 years ago, Wickford’s history takes the town from an agricultural hub to having its own parish council and then undergoing significant investment to make it a standalone town.

Perhaps most interestingly, it is believed that Wickford on Rhode Island in the USA is named directly after Essex’s own Wickford town. The name derives from the simple meaning ‘ford by a dairy farm’ with Wickford still home to Bradfield’s Dairy today.

Things to do in Wickford

We’ve already mentioned a distinct lack of nightlife which gives Wickford its more peaceful reputation. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do…

Best Parks and Green Spaces

Wickford is right in the heart of Essex’s finest green spaces, with views out towards the Dengie and beyond. Essex Wildlife Trust sites and reserves a short drive away, or you can visit the neighbouring RHS Hyde Hall Garden to pick up both inspiration for your own garden and to wander the impressive vegetable plots and flower beds.

In Wickford itself, residents can enjoy the local Memorial Park and Wick Country Park, with 50 acres of landscape and green space to explore.

Alternatively, working with a local estate agent will help you to discover properties for sale in Wickford with their own outside spaces and gardens, giving you the benefit of privacy and flexibility.

Shopping

Wickford has a high street with several well known stores and some of its own independent shops, including charity shops and boutiques.

The trainline provides direct access to London for city shopping, or residents can drive 20 minutes to Chelmsford and enjoy the wider variety of stores there.

Restaurants, Bars and Pubs

Despite its lack of nightlife, there are some great places to eat and drink in Wickford – from classic British pubs to international cuisine from all over the world.

The Meadow Croft Kitchen is ranked as one of the most popular eateries in Wickford for all diners, including families and those with young children. A café in the local garden centre, that’s renowned for its high quality Christmas market, Meadow Croft Kitchen combines simple lunches with British classics.

Some other eateries to try include the Mexican Kitchen, The Lillies Café, The Carpenters Arms, and the Downham Arms.

Entertainment

With a tennis club, country park, local swimming pool, and an open-air market that’s held weekly, life in Wickford combines modern convenience and amenities with traditional hobbies and activities.

The access from Wickford out into the countryside means that most of the town’s entertainment revolves around the great outdoors – though you can always head slightly further afield to local theatres and venues in neighbouring towns.

What Is Property in Wickford Like?

Wickford covers a wide section of the local property marketplace, with affordable housing sharing the postcode with some premium properties and expensive plots. House prices tend to average at around £330,000 in Wickford at the time of writing in 2025, with Runwell and Shotgate among the most popular locations for those seeking property in Wickford.

With countless suburbs surrounding the acres around the town, properties boast their own driveways and gardens across most of wider Wickford, with many bungalows that are open to conversion.

Buying or Renting in Wickford

With Wickford so well connected to London, Maldon, and several smaller Essex towns and villages including the Hanningfield’s which enjoy views over surrounding countryside, this is the perfect place to buy or rent – particularly if you are looking to slow down and move further away from the city, without losing direct access and transport.

Our agents manage a collection of properties to buy and properties to rent in Wickford and would be happy to talk you through the local market and availability.

Should I Move to Wickford?

People move to Wickford when they want to retain their access to London for work and leisure but also want to expand their lifestyle into rural Essex.

For those who love the great outdoors but aren’t ready to lose the convenience of city living and luxurious home comforts, this is the ideal location to call home.