The woodlanders: Epping

Essex, but not a white Cortina in sight. More Essex Ale than Essex Girl.

Who lives here?
Rod Stewart must be Epping's most famous resident, with a large Jacobean-style oak pile complete with football pitch.

Other Epping residents include Alan Davies, Phil Tufnell and Lisa Snowdon.

EastEnders' Jessie Wallace lives on the plush Addison Court estate.

How many stops to civilisation?13 to Liverpool Street, 19 to Oxford Circus.

House prices? Unless you are prepared to go ex-local authority, you are looking at £500,000 plus for an Edwardian or Victorian detached near the station, or £170,000 plus for an Addison Court flat.

What's good?
The High Street is a designated conservation area, with many buildings surviving from the 17th century.

The Forest itself offers endless opportunities for cricket, fishing, golf and horse riding. And you have a Tube stop. Truly bizarre.

What's bad?
Quite markedly provincial, certainly when compared to more salubrious southern suburbs. It's also a long, long way away from anywhere that isn't Epping.

What do they say?
'Peaceful streets and loads of greenery besides the Forest. Not as cool as Notting Hill but it has its own village charm.' Lisa Snowdon