IG8 (Redbridge) area guide
IG8
Redbridge
To the north the postcode district is defined by Whitehall Road, The Glade and Forest Way, then heading east remains north of the Chigwell Road and Manor Road. To the east it is bordered approximately by Tomswood Hill and Fulwell Avenue, incorporating the streets in between Kensington Drive and Portman Drive. The southern border is the Southend Road and the North Circular Road, whilst the western boundary roughly follows Winchester Road and Larkshall Road in a northerly direction.
The IG8 postcode district lies within or includes part of the following towns, counties, localities, electoral wards and stations: Bridge, Chigwell Village, Church End, Clayhall, Essex, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hale End and Highams Park, Hatch Lane, Monkhams, Redbridge, Roding, Waltham Forest, Woodford Green, Woodford Station.
As with many London suburbs, it was the arrival of the railway that acted as a catalyst to the residential development in the area. The railways also dictated the type of residents that were attracted to the area, as, unlike neighbouring towns such as Enfield or Chingford, the Woodford branch did not have a low-fare policy. This meant that residents were those who could afford the higher fares, such as merchants and bankers. As a result, much of the housing in the area is substantial period property.
Because of Woodford’s history as a town occupied by merchants and bankers, there are a number of substantial period homes. The Monkhams Estate has many of the more desirable homes, which will reach asking prices of over £1 million. A five bedroom, mock-Tudor detached home on Forest Way, for example, would reach an asking price of around £950,000, whilst a 1930s detached home on Snakes Lane West is likely to demand a similar or slightly lower asking price. Broomhill Road, south of Broadmead Road, has some terraced properties with slightly lower asking price still, of just under £900,000.
Some of the exceptionally large properties have been converted into flats, such as on Regents Drive , where flats exist in large houses such as Claybury Hall, and still reach exceptional asking prices of almost £2 million for 4 bedrooms. A converted flat in the impressive Montague House, Repton Park, will also reach high asking prices of around £1.3 million. However, those with less substantial budgets in search of a flat in the area need not panic- there are more affordable options. The area has a number of ex-local authority and purpose built blocks, both high rise and low rise, which offer the most affordable accommodation. Blenheim Court, Lambourne Court and Elizabeth Court, on Navestock Crescent, all have two bed flats in high rise buildings that will demand asking prices of between £100,000 and £125,000. The Bridle Path, and Snakes Lane East both have low rise blocks, where a two bed flat is slightly more expensive, with asking prices at around £175,000. Woodford High Road also has some conversions and new developments with flats, with prices for two bedrooms generally starting at around £300,000.
Woodford Green is home to Woodford station, which provides services to the London Underground’s Northern Line. It is in Travelcard zone 4.
The area’s prestigious education system includes nine primary schools and four secondary schools. Additionally, the area is home to a special needs school called The Hatton School.
The Cricketers, a Woodford Green local pub, is a local favourite with a good selection of beverages including Real Ales. In addition to the Cricketers, there are many other noteworthy pubs in the area. These include: The Crown and Crooked Billet on Cross Road, The Horse and Well and the Travellers Friend on the High Road, The Railway Tavern on Snakes Lane East, and The Royal Oak on Hale End Road.