The Pace local area guide to Billericay
As a Lettings Agency and Estate Agent in Southend, our clients often ask us about local amenities in popular areas, such as Basildon. We’ve put together the following information which we hope will give you a feel for life in Billericay.
General Information
Billericay is located just 28 miles east of central London within the Borough of Basildon, found between Chelmsford, Brentwood and Southend and a stone’s throw away from neighboring Wickford. The last census showed the population to be approximately 28,000.
A small yet popular commuter town, set in well-wooded countryside, Billericay is thought to have been occupied since the Bronze Age.
The picturesque town is full of history with numerous Georgian and period houses and famed for The Pilgrim Fathers. A meeting of the Pilgrim Fathers prior to their sailing in the Mayflower is said to have taken place in Billericay. Chantry House was the 17th century home of Christopher Martin, the treasurer to the Pilgrim Fathers.
Today many local names and much historical imagery reflects this history: Mayflower House, Morris Men, Mayflower Taxis, Mayflower High School, Mayflower Hall.
Not only this, during the First World War, a giant German Zeppelin airship was shot down during an aerial battle, narrowly missing the high street, crashing into a field nearby. Some of the remains of this are displayed in the Cater Museum in Billericay High Street.
The town’s old Victorian workhouse became the internationally renowned Regional Plastic Surgery and Burns unit until this was relocated to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford in 1998.
More recently the town was made famous for featuring as the setting of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey as the home of Gavin Shipman and his parents Mick and Pam, even though, the actual filming took place in Wales. Other famous people associated with Billericay include Francis Bacon, Lee Evans and David Gandy.
For outdoor lovers, the nearby Barleylands Farm, is a unique attraction and home to the craft village, miniature steam railway, farm centre and a bimonthly farmers market. It is also the venue for the Essex Steam and Country Show along with other activities and interests throughout the year.
Nearby Mill Meadows Nature Reserve comprises numerous rolling old meadows, covering 90 acres, that provide the right conditions for a great diversity of wild flowers and insects – many of which are now rare in the county.
There’s also Norsey Wood Nature Reserve, designated an ancient monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – 175 acres of ancient coppiced sweet chestnut, oak and hornbeam woodland.
If you are looking for a local interest group, keen amateur dramatics and the Billericay Operatic Society, specialising in musical theatre, could be of interest. Each year, in March, the group produces and performs a musical at The Brentwood Theatre, plus smaller shows and concerts throughout the year.
Being so close to Basildon means those who love shopping, eating out, sports clubs and activities have access to a multitude of amenities just a short drive away.
Transport
Billericay, part of the London commuter belt, provides several transport links to nearby towns.
London is easily accessible by train in 31 minutes – the town has a train station with a direct train service, operated by Abellio Greater Anglia into central London via London Liverpool Street and to London Southend Airport. Current timetables can be downloaded here.
The station connects to local bus routes too, with a service that operates through the town centre, via the train station and main roads through to larger towns such as Basildon and Chelmsford and as far as Lakeside.
Local routes can be found here.
Billericay is on the A129, linking it to the neighbouring towns of Brentwood and Wickford and is close to two primary routes: the A12 to the north and the A127 in the south. The A176 provides a road link to Basildon to the south of Billericay, as well as to the A127.
We’re also lucky to have Southend Airport offering numerous routes within the UK and further afield into Europe. Airlines currently operating from Southend include Aer Lingus, EasyJet, FlyBe and Skyworks. Tour operators include First Choice and Thomson.
Education
Within Billericay, admissions to both primary and secondary schools are managed by Essex County Council. Billericay has some of the best schools in Essex. Families with young children choosing to live in Billericay have a good choice of state infant, junior schools and day nurseries within the area, including;
Quilters Infant School https://www.quilters-inf.essex.sch.uk/
Sunnymede Infant School – http://www.sunnymede-inf.essex.sch.uk
For older children requiring secondary education, there is:
Quilters Junior School http://www.quiltersjuniorschool.com and Mayflower High School https://www.mayflowerhigh.essex.sch.uk.
There is also St John’s School, Billericay, an Independent day school for boys and girls 3-16 http://www.stjohnsschool.net.
The specialist Maths and Computing school, The Billericay School : http://www.billericayschool.com has a Sixth form and leisure facilities for public use.
Healthcare
Basildon University is the main hospital for the area and has an Accident & Emergency Department. The following link will take you to the ‘Find Us’ page. http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/Overview/DefaultView.aspx?id=744
For non-emergency care, there are GP Surgeries in the Billericay area, including The Billericay Medical Practice
The NHS website http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4 offers a search facility which will return a comprehensive listing of all local GP surgeries and health centres.
Refuse and recycling
To find out which day your refuse and recycling will be collected in Basildon, please visit the Basildon Council website for full details. http://www.basildon.gov.uk/Rubbish
Visitors and residents will find plenty of amenities and choice of pubs, restaurants, sports facilities in and around the town, along with all those on offer at neighboring Basildon, only a short drive away. However, for a greater choice, there are also two large shopping centres in nearby Southend, Chelmsford and Brentwood.
Shopping Entertainment
Visitors and residents will find plenty of amenities and choice of pubs, restaurants, sports facilities in and around the town, along with all those on offer at neighboring Basildon, only a short drive away. However, for a greater choice, there are also three large shopping centres in nearby Southend, Chelmsford and Brentwood.
