Just outside the North Circular lies the suburb of Woodford - an exceptionally quiet, rural-seeming London suburb. Despite the area's quiet appearance, several very notable people - including Sylvia Pankhurst, Winston Churchill, and members of Depeche Mode - have lived here. Still, families are drawn to the area because of its large, often attractive houses with gardens, the surrounding green space, and the top-notch schools. Transport links are good, too, with two Central Line stations and exceptionally good road links.
This is an area with large houses, green space, and good schools - all of which appeal to families, who tend to trade up within the area instead of moving away. There is a good selection of independent shops in this area, alongside high street chains. There are also locally-owned cafes in the neighbourhood.
Woodford is a very safe part of London, with an average crime rating from the Met police and much, much lower crime and violence against the person rates for 2014/2015 than London had as a whole.
This is a very easy and inexpensive part of London in which to own a car, as many homes have private off-street parking. Car ownership is high in this area, with more than one car per household. Road links are exceptionally good, with the M11, M25, and North Circular roads all in the area.
This area has its share of restaurants and pubs, but it's not a place with an active nightlife. It is on the Central Line, making travel to Central London relatively easy.
This area appeals to families in part because it has a lot of larger houses, including detached houses, and many of these have large gardens and more green space around them. Epping Forest and Roding Calley Park are also on the doorstep of Woodford residents. Schools in this area are excellent, with numerous state primary and secondary schools that have an 'outstanding' Ofsted rating. This area is generally home to a significant number of children aged 0-15.
This is an exceptionally pet-friendly part of London, with large houses with gardens and thousands of acres of green walks on your doorstep. This is among the best places in London to own a dog.
Woodford is in Zone 4, and served by South Woodford and Woodford stations, which are both on the Central Line. The area is well-served by local buses. Road links are exceptionally good, with the M11, M25, and North Circular roads all in the area.