Historic Braintree is a popular choice for commuters

Braintree is a pretty market town around 50 miles from London and popular with commuters and families attracted by the regular train service to London Liverpool Street in just over an hour and the choice of excellent schools.

The town’s prosperity grew from the 17th century when Flemish settlers made the town famous for its wool cloth trade. By the early 19th century Braintree became a centre for silk manufacturing when George Courtauld opened a silk mill in the town. By the late 19th century, Braintree was a thriving agricultural and textile town, benefitting from a railway connection to London. The wealthy Courtauld family had a strong influence on the town and the textile weaving industry is remembered today in the Warner Textile Archive and at Braintree Museum.

Braintree played its part during the Second World War with many of the town’s men serving in Britain's armed forces.  The women were also recruited for the town's engineering works or munitions work at the famous manufacturer of metal windows, Critalls, which become a munitions factory during the war. Braintree and its surrounding areas were also the drop-zone for excess bombs that were left over from raids on London.

Braintree offers a range of shopping at George Yard right at the heart of the town. It includes a mix of high street names and boutiques as well as eateries and department stores. Braintree market takes place on a Wednesday and Saturday each week through Braintree Town Centre from Manor Street through Manor Place along the High Street and up Bank Street. Tesco and Sainsburys have stores in the town. The Freeport Designer Outlet Village is found on the outskirts of town offering around 80 designer shops and its own train station. Leading restaurant chains, a multiplex cinema and bowling alley are also found there.

Braintree is surrounded by many popular villages including Felsted and Finchingfield and the Great Notley Country Park and Discovery Centre set within 100 acres of beautiful countryside.

There is an excellent range of state schools including St Michael's Church of England Primary School John Bunyan Infant and Junior Schools. Secondaries include the Alec Hunter Academy and Notley High School. The Edith Borthwick School is a special school with 220 pupils aged from three to 19 years old. Private schools include Felsted School a leading independent, co-educational day and boarding school.

A monthly season ticket to London costs £502.30 from Braintree (£5,232 annually) with the fastest journey time of 60 minutes. Trains to London Liverpool Street from Braintree Freeport take 59 minutes (£409.40 monthly, £4,262 annually); Colchester takes from Braintree 44 minutes (£172.80 monthly, £1,800 annually); Chelmsford takes 25 minutes (£152.50 monthly, £1,588 annually); Southend Airport takes 1hr 15 minutes via Shenfield (£335.70 monthly, £3,496 annually).

Braintree is well served for road links in and around Essex and beyond via the A120 and A12. Chelmsford is just over eight miles away, Brentwood six miles and Southend Airport 31 miles away via the A12. Stansted Airport is 15 miles away via the A120; London City Airport 47 miles; Luton Airport 60 miles; Gatwick 75 miles via the M25 and Heathrow 78 miles via the M11.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in Braintree:

Cromwell Place (Persimmon) - A select collection of just 40 new homes in the popular village of Little Dunmow close to Braintree. There’s a choice of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes including two-bedroom bungalows. The development is named after Oliver Cromwell as he sent three of his sons to nearby Felsted School. Prices from £334,995. Find out more about Cromwell Place from Persimmon
The Brambles (Redrow) - This new development is coming soon and subject to planning will be a collection of three-, four- and five-bedroom Heritage Collection homes in the historic town of Great Dunmow close to Braintree. Prices on application. Register here	​
Olstead Grange (Taylor Wimpey) – Only one six-bedroom detached home remains for sale at this sought-after development in Felsted a short distance from Braintree. The property also benefits from a double garage with a studio space above, accessed through its own entrance – ideal for a home office or gym. Priced at £835,000. For details visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk; 01277 280544
London Road (Beresfords) - This  brand new four-bed detached chalet bungalow is located just off the popular London Road to the south side of Braintree, allowing easy access to the A120, A131 and Stansted Airport. The property benefits from under floor heating to the bath and shower rooms, fitted alarm and 10-year warranty. Guide price £450,000 - £475,000. For more details visit www.beresfords.co.uk; 01376 388699
Sible Hedingham (Beresfords) - A brand new luxurious five-bedroom detached, three storey home in a village setting overlooking a wildlife reserve within eight miles of Braintree railway station. The fifth-bedroom on the second floor consists of a generous size walk-in wardrobe and a contemporary en suite. Priced at £584,950. For details visit www.beresfords.co.uk;	​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​