Guide To Repton Park

Area guide to Repton Park

Location: Bordering Woodford Green and Chigwell, the luxury, gated development of Repton Park is part of the London Borough of Redbridge. While the stunning grounds and ancient woodland that surrounds Repton Park could fool you into thinking you were deep in the countryside, the development is in fact just over 12 miles from central London.

History: 

Repton Park is steeped in history. Originally it was a grand country estate called Claybury, the first documentary reference to which dates back to 1270. Notable owners of the estate include Sir Thomas Whit, founder of St John’s College Oxford, Sir Oliver Cromwell, uncle of the Lord Protector and John Fowke, Lord Mayor of London. In 1786, wealthy malt distiller James Hatch purchased the estate and immediately set about demolishing the old gabled house, replacing it with a grand Georgian mansion. By the late 1890s, the estate had changed hands several times before becoming a large Victorian hospitalunder new owners, the County of Middlesex. However, in 1997 the site was acquired by developer Crest Nicolson and was transformed into the luxury, gated housing development you see today. 

Claims to fame: 

Repton Park is named after renowned landscape architect Humphrey Repton who was hired by Hatch to advise on the gardens and grounds. A highly proficient watercolour artist, Repton prepared sketches of his designs for Claybury Hall that were presented in a red leather binder. This custom became known as Repton’s Red Books, with Claybury one of the few surviving intact. More recently, the development has attracted a fair smattering of sports stars and celebs, who are attracted to the incredible level of security that comes from living in Repton Park (you can only enter and exit through the one gate, which is monitored 24-hours a day), making it a paparazzi free zone. Privacy and discretion is very much part of the Repton Park ethos, although it is on public record that cricketer Phil Tufnell and actor Patsy Palmer have both been residents at some point. 

Transport links: 

Repton Park is ideally located for transport links, with Chigwell Road and Woodford Green Central Line stations both close by, offering fast and easy access to the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and beyond. By car, the M25 London orbital and M11 to Cambridge are within easy reach.

Property types: 

The development offers a fabulous selection of period and new build homes with prices ranging from £500,000 to £3 million Located within the original red brick hospital complex you’ll find spacious, high-ceilinged apartments and mews-style houses while more recent additions include sympathetically designed detached houses, town houses and modern apartments, so there really is something for everyone.

Residents: 

Repton Park is very much a lifestyle choice and families, couples and singles all buy into it. The private gardens and large green, which was once a cricket pitch but is now a nursery, make it ideal for parents with young children and anyone seeking to be close to nature but with amenities and transport links on the doorstep. The on site Virgin Active gym, spa and beauty salon, occupying what was once the hospital chapel, further cements the idea of the Repton Park lifestyle, while the active Residents Association fosters a strong sense of community. 

Schools: 

A big draw of Repton Park is the number of excellent schools in the area. Famously, Chigwell School, a top rated co-educational day and boarding school for ages four to 18, is on the doorstep. But outstanding state options also abound and include Wells Park, Churchfields, Nightingale and Oakhill at primary level and Trinity Catholic High, Woodford High and West Hatch at secondary.

Shops: 

Woodford Green, with its absence of a main high streetbut with assorted parades, has become a mecca for small traditional and independent outlets. One of our favourites is the Broadway Deli & Grocery, where owner Jan’s passion for food and drink shines through. In Chigwell, meanwhile, glamour is the name of the game with nail bars, hairdressers, tanning shops and aesthetic clinics all to be found here, as well as a fair few fashion boutiques. Meanwhile, all the big supermarkets are just a short drive away, but should you decide to jump on the tube, Westfield Stratford City takes just 12 minutes and here you’ll find all manner of high street and designer brands, as well as a cinema and wealth of restaurants and bars

Pubs and bars: 

Repton Park has plenty of fine pubs on the doorstep. If it’s stylish and sophisticated that you’re after, then head to Chigwell, where the King William IV serves a fine line in cocktails and wine and has a courtyard and large garden in which to enjoy them. Seasons Bar over on The Broadway in Woodford Green also offers a swanky setting in which to imbibe and has live music and DJs cranking it up at the weekend. For cosy and traditional, The Foresters in Chigwell ticks all the boxes, being warm and welcoming, with a good selection of drinks and hearty homemade food.

Restaurants: 

Widely regarded as the place in the area to see and be seen in, is Sheesh in Chigwell, which combines a glamorous and eclectic decor with party, party vibes and also happens to be a darn good restaurant, as its loyal clientele will testify. Owner Dylan Hunt ensures everything meets his exacting standards, from the live entertainment to the Turkish-leaning menu that also includes lobster pasta and Wagyu rib-eye. Meanwhile, over in Woodford Green, you’ll find all manner of eateries including Japanese, Indian and Italian, plus good, old fashioned fish and chips. A stalwart of the area, however, is Pizzeria Bel-Sit, which has been serving up Italian classics for more than 40 years.

Green spaces: 

Set in the most stunning grounds, surrounded by ancient woodland, Repton Park really is a nature-lover’s paradise, with beautiful, unspoilt habitats and an abundance of wildlife. No wonder residents make full use of the footpaths and cycle ways that traverse these open spaces, taking in the unique environment that changes with the seasons. Of course, just a little further afield, is Epping Forest, offering a further 8,000 acres of ancient woodlands and undulating plains, plus ponds and lakes aplenty, a few of which even offer boats for hire. Two country parks are also nearby, with Fairlop Waters and Hainault Forest both providing great family days out.