Rayleigh –
a well-connected small town with mostly spacious family homes and
only a handful of smaller properties.
BACKGROUND
Rayleigh
is a town in the district of Rochford in Essex, situated between
Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea. It is just over 30 miles from central
London. There has been a settlement here since Saxon times, and in
medieval times the forests around the town were royal hunting
grounds. Its most significant historic monument is the remains of the
Norman Rayleigh Castle.
In more
modern times, the late 20th century saw many new housing estates
appear on former greenfield sites around the town. Its market-town
feel distinguishes it from nearby Basildon, and its schools and
proximity to London make it popular with families.
TRANSPORT
Bus
services run by Arriva Southend and First Essex
usually terminate at Rayleigh railway station. Greater
Anglia runs the rail line which leads from Southend
Victoria to London Liverpool Street, stopping at Rayleigh
and running every 10 minutes during rush hour. First Essex also
operates an hourly coach service to Stansted Airport.
By road,
Rayleigh is connected via the A127 to Southend in the east, and to
Basildon in the west. Fourteen miles north, via the A130, is
Chelmsford.
AMENITIES
Rayleigh
has number of parks, playing fields and play areas. An old market
town, it has retained much of its traditional character and is a busy
shopping hub. There is still a small indoor market every week.
Kingley
Woods is the only surviving ancient wood in the town, but this is
rich in wildlife. Wheatley Wood is an area of broadleaved trees
planted in the 1990s and both areas are great for dog walking and
birdwatching.
Rayleigh
has two secondary schools: Sweyne Park School and FitzWimarc School.
It also has seven primary schools – Rayleigh Primary, Grove
Wood, Down Hall, Edward Francis, Our Lady of Ransom (Catholic), and
Wyburns.
St
Nicholas Church of England Primary School, a long-established school
for the adjoining village of Rawreth, was relocated in 2006 to a new
building just on the outskirts of Rayleigh. Beauchamps High, an
outstanding 11-18 comprehensive school, is in nearby Wickford.
If
you are moving to Rayleigh, there are several estate agents clustered
around the High Street that deal with sales and lettings. A selection
of Chartered Surveyors are also in close proximity to the centre.
Central
Rayleigh
A 1
bedroom flat, maisonette or retirement apartment in the centre of
Rayleigh typically costs £250,000. Similar properties with
two-bedrooms are available for £300,000.
London
Hill
London
Hill is a suburb on the outskirts of Rayleigh but still within
walking distance of the station and high street shops. Here you will
typically find semi-detached properties and a reasonable number of
larger detached homes. A 5 bedroom house in London Hill costs £1m
and the average price of a 3 bedroom semi is £300,000.
The
Gattens
The
Gattens is situated to the north east of Rayleigh, approximately 2
miles from the high street and is home to a selection of very
impressive, uniquely designed properties.
A 4
bedroom home in the sought-after parkland setting of The Gattens has
an average cost of £750,000, and you can also find many larger,
exclusive homes with sprawling gardens in the same location for £1.5m
or more.
