Looking to live in….Witham
With great transport links, outstanding schools and well-priced homes, Witham is ideal for couples looking to combine commuting with family life.
Originally a small hamlet in the Essex countryside, Witham has grown to become a popular commuter town, conveniently situated on the A12, and with mainline train services to London Liverpool Street. Less costly than its neighbouring Chelmsford and with a number of housing developments under way, Witham also offers a variety of housing options for a range of budgets.
David Nesmith, Partner at Fenn Wright’s Witham branch, comments: “It’s definitely Witham’s location that puts this small town on the map for potential homebuyers. Witham is halfway between Chelmsford and Colchester, as well as a stone’s throw from Braintree Freeport, so all the shops and entertainment a family could want are just a short drive away. The mainline station also provides easy access for London commuters.”
Witham was identified as a London overspill town in the 1970s, with three new estates built to accommodate the rising demand for housing in the area. Development in the town continues to this day with large housing projects underway to the south of Witham, alongside the new Maltings Park estate, which includes the recent opening of a new Aldi superstore. This growth has seen new schools created too, making it ideal for families.
David Nesmith adds: “There are a number of strong schools in Witham. The two secondary schools include Maltings Academy, which was rated ‘outstanding’ in its recent Ofsted report, and New Rickstones Academy. The numerous good primary schools include Chipping Hill and Powers Hall Junior, which have also been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. For those looking for nursery facilities, Seymour House has just opened a newly-built centre in the town.”
Witham is mainly focused around the high street with two shopping precincts and a range of smaller shops, banks, pubs and restaurants. For those who like to keep active in their spare time, Witham has recently welcomed a brand-new leisure centre and it is also home to a number of sporting clubs, river walks and golf clubs.
With a mix of property types available, Witham has homes that would suit any demographic, whether you’re a young couple, growing family or empty-nester. But where are the best areas to look if you think Witham might be the place for you?
David Nesmith offers his thoughts: “In Witham, it’s not so much certain areas that are popular, but rather particular roads. Chipping Hill is particularly desirable if you’re looking for a period property close to the station, while Avenue Road might be more appropriate for those looking for a semi-detached home that is less traditional. Among the new developments, Maltings Park tends to have a good range of properties with a number of convenient facilities nearby, such as a supermarket, pub and so on.”