Ramsden Heath – ‘charming’ Essex village near Romford

Only a 40-minute drive away from Romford town centre, according to Google Maps, is Ramsden Heath nestled in the Billericay countryside.

According to South Hanningfield Parish Council, Ramsden Heath is the largest by population (around 2,000) of the three wards that make up the parish of South Hanningfield, the others being Downham and South Hanningfield.

Originally Ramsden Heath and Ramsden Bellhouse, a neighbouring village, were one single village stretching from Stock to Nevendon and was called Ramsden Bellhouse.

Ramsden Heath Village Hall (Image: Google) The name Ramsden Heath applied only to an area of heathland to the north of the village.

Around 1910 an estate centred around St. Mary’s Church was built about a mile from the old village.

This became known as Ramsden Bellhouse and the old village became Ramsden Heath.

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Researchers Area Hive described Ramsden Heath as having “that quintessential village charm” and being ideal for “those longing for a quieter life”.

Area Hive also noted Ramsden Heath as a great village for those that love the outdoors.

Norsey Woods (Image: Google) Mill Meadows Nature Reserve is described as “a local gem” offering “lovely walking trails and a chance to reconnect with nature”.

The nearby Norsey Woods also provides an “excellent spot for a weekend ramble, complete with ancient woodlands and a variety of wildlife”.

Ramsden Heath has three country pubs: The Nag’s Head, The Fox and Hounds and The White Horse.

The Nag’s Head and The Fox and Hounds share a 4.6 average Google rating.

The latter describes itself as a “family-run village pub” with a heated and sheltered patio area and large garden.

The Nag’s Head (Image: Google) The Nag’s Head describes itself as a “traditional village pub with great entertainment and home cooked food” equipped with bench seating and a covered patio.

Although The White Horse has a slightly lower Google rating with 4.1, it offers an in-house Italian restaurant called Urban Italia.

The pub’s website says it is a “traditional, family-friendly pub” serving classic pub favourites but also offers “a taste of Italy”.

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The White Horse (Image: Google) Ramsden Heath also excels in its primary education provision, according to Area Hive, with both Buttsbury Junior School and St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, just outside the village, being rated ‘outstanding’ in their last Ofsted inspections.

The village hall is located close to the centre of the village and had an air-conditioning system installed in 2021.

The hall recently hosted the 80th VE day celebrations in May with live entertainment, a 1940s fancy dress competition for children up to eight-years-old, vintage vehicles and games.

Only a 10-minute drive from Ramsden Heath is the 870-acre Hanningfield Reservoir.

Essex Wildlife Trust said the reservoir is “an ideal place to view the wildlife within the nature reserve”.

Hanningfield Reservoir (Image: Google) The spectacle of “thousands of swifts, swallows and martins feeding over the water” during peak fly hatches is described as one of “the delights for the summer visitors”.

According to Right Move, house prices in Ramsden Heath have an overall average of £692,486 over the last year.

The majority of properties sold in Ramsden Heath during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £766,926.

Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £480,000, with terraced properties fetching £447,500.