Living in Upminster

Upminster is a highly desirable location that offers an appealing blend of beautiful countryside and excellent transport links to London, Romford, and other major towns. Its suburban atmosphere is pleasingly peaceful, enhanced by numerous parks and open spaces, as well as a great selection of shops and restaurants. The town attracts residents from all walks of life, including city workers, families, and retirees.

With a reputation as one of the safest areas in London, living in Upminster is considered very safe, making it an ideal choice for those with children. The presence of good schools and ample activities further enhances the town’s appeal as a family-friendly area

Upminster boasts a great variety of attractions and activities for residents and visitors alike.
 
The Thames Chase Forest Centre is a must-visit for nature lovers, featuring 140 acres of woodlands, meadows, ponds, and trails, perfect for running and cycling. Alternatively, visit Pages Wood for a 74-hectare wood and urban park with hiking and biking trails, bridle paths, sculptures, and picnic tables. If you are looking for a laid-back park stroll, however, enjoy the greenery at the Upminster Park and the Parklands Open Space.
 
For family days out, the Stubbers Advanenture Centre offers over 30 adventurous outdoor activities for both adults and children, including climbing, paddling, shooting, sailing, and many more. Additionally, the Partyman World of Play has a soft play area, great for kids parties or a fun-filled afternoon.
 
Sports fanatics will appreciate the Upminster Golf Club in Hall Lane, known as one of the top private member’s golf clubs in Essex, which also hosts the Upminster Bowls Club. Not just that, Upminster is also home to a cricket club, a hockey club, and two tennis clubs, including the Grosvenor Lawn Tennis Club and Cranston Park Lawn Tennis Club.
 
Those who love history will enjoy a visit to the Tithe Barn Museum, where they can get a kick of nostalgia exploring over 14,000 items from the last 150 years. Built in 1803 and listed as a Grade II building, the historical landmark of Upminster Windmill is also not to be missed.

Upminster provides a great selection of amenities to its residents. When it comes to shopping, the town houses lots of independent stores, a garden centre, a Manor farm shop, as well as well-known chain stores, such as Waitrose, M&S food, Tesco, Aldi, Co-op, and Boots.
 
As for eating out, you will find a variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants, whether you are looking to enjoy a beer in a traditional British pub or to savour new flavours from international cuisines. Here are some of the favourites:
 
The Thatched House;
The Huntsman And Hounds;
Brewdog;
The Junction;
Goat;
Prezzo;
Pieno-Lleno Mexican;
Osteria Due Amici;
Korat Thai Upminster.

One of Upminster’s main attractions to residents is its unbeatable commuter links. Fenchurch Street, in the heart of London, is as little as 20 minutes away by train and, in addition to this, Upminster is the terminus of the District Line, which guarantees a seat on your way to work during the rush hour.
 
What’s more, the London Borough of Havering has three Crossrail stations, making connectivity to the City, West End, and beyond even easier. As if this wasn’t enough, there is a branch line in one direction to Romford, on the main east coast line into Liverpool Street, and another which includes a station at Lakeside - one of the largest retail centres in Europe. By bus, the local TfL services provide convenient connections to Emerson Park and Romford as well.
 
By road, the A127 and A13 arterial roads into London are to the north and south of the town, but just 2½ miles from the town centre will take you to J29 of the M25. Upminster is just 23 miles northeast of central London, with Harold Wood, Romford and Brentwood to the north, open countryside to the east, South Ockenden to the south, and Hornchurch to the west.

The town offers several well-regarded educational institutions for children of varying ages.
 
For primary education, there is the Upminster Infant School, Upminster Junior School, Engayne Primary School, St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, and Branfil Primary School.
 
Secondary schools include The Coopers Company & Coborn School, Gaynes School, New City College (Havering Sixth Form Campus), Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, and Hall Mead School, with the latter two rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted.
 
The nearby Oakfields Preparatory School is also a great option for private education.

Whether you’re looking for a family home or an investment opportunity, Upminster is a brilliant choice. Explore our selection of currently marketed properties below, or reach out to the Beresfords Upminster branch for help!