From The Fens to the coast, the East of England is a uniquely beautiful part of the country. For property hunters, its mix of quaint market towns, charming coastal villages and historic cities means that there really is something for everyone here. See what we mean, by taking a look at some of the best new homes in the East of England.
New homes in the East of England: 10 best developments
The following is a list of the 10 current top-ranked property developments in the region. All scores have been verified as coming from actual residents of the developments themselves, so they provide an insiders’ view of what they are really like.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
It may only have 10 reviews, but Arboretum is well loved by its residents, giving it the top listing for the East of England. It’s a Higgins Homes development situated in Epping, Essex, and offers predominantly two-storey houses, as well as some three-storey flats, in an enviable location on the edge of green fields and open public spaces.
Read reviews and details of Arboretum, CM16Our 2nd top-ranked development for the east of England is One Canalside, a residential development in Chelmsford by Legal & General and managed by Urbanbubble. It features 189 apartments with a mix of 1, 2 and 3 beds. Facilities include a residents’ lounge, work zone and meeting room. There’s also a games rooms and private dining room due to be completed in 2022. In addition, on-site parking is available as well as free cycle storage. Sitting on the waterfront, the development is only a 10-minute walk away from Chelmsford city centre, including access to the station with links to Greater Anglia trains.
Read reviews and details of One Canalside, CM2In 3rd, Welcombe House hosts a range of two and three-bedroom homes with views over Harpenden Common. Harpenden station is just a seven-minute walk from Welcome House and provides links to London. There are regular direct services to Kings Cross and St Pancras International stations, which take just 26 minutes. Additionally, Luton Airport is only a 23-minute train journey away.
Read reviews and details of Welcombe House, AL5In 4th place is The Quarters Watford, offering short-term lets in the heart of Watford’s central business district, a short walk from Watford Junction station. The Quarters Watford provides an ideal base for residents relying on a convenient, connected location. Euston is also accessible in as little as 14-minutes. There are 100 high-specification studios, which feature high-speed wireless internet access, a television, a kitchenette, laundry facilities as well as, easy parking.
Read reviews and details of The Quarters Watford, WD17The middle spot goes to Hatfield Rise, which is located in the centre of Hertfordshire, and has connections to London. A collection of one and two bedroom apartments, all homes come with parking. Also including shops, bars, cafés & leisure facilities all within easy reach.
Read reviews and details of Hatfield Rise, AL10In 6th place it’s Crown Meadows by Lovell Homes. Located in Norwich, Crown Meadows offers a development of two, three and four-bedroom houses. Also, they offer three-bedroom bungalows. It’s ideal for young professionals and those who want more space for families.
Read reviews and details of Crown Meadows, NR10Next up, Bowlers Green is a collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes and 2 and 3 bedroom bungalows. Located in the popular seaside village of Hopton-on-Sea, there is ample outdoor space to enjoy. Also, it is located only 6 miles from Great Yarmouth.
Read reviews and details of Bowlers Green, NR31At number 8, Heath Farm is a development of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom houses and bungalows. The homes are finished to a high specification. In addition, they include amenities such as integrated appliances.
Read reviews and details of Heath Farm, NR25In 9th, William’s Park offers 2,3,4 and 5 bedroom houses, located less than 12 miles from Norwich City Centre. The town has many independent shops as well as high street chains. Additionally, it offers great transport links.
Read reviews and details of William’s Park, NR18To finish our top 10 for East England, Rayners Green is a joint venture development by Hill and Scotsdale Garden Centre. Here you’ll find two, three and four bedroom houses in the thriving village of Fordham. It is located in an active community with a variety of restaurants and schools. Additionally, there are great road links in all directions, as well as lots of green space around.
Read reviews and details of Rayners Green, CB7What areas are in the East of England?
The East of England is the large area sitting just below the ‘backbone’ of England and above the Thames Estuary. It has Greater London and Kent to the south, and the coastline runs along its eastern edge. In terms of counties, the East of England contains Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Why live in the East of England?
If you’re looking for an area with a little bit of everything, the East of England is a contender. It has exceptional coastline towns and scenery surrounding Norfolk and Suffolk. It has beautiful rolling countryside across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. There are also iconic cities steeped in history and culture, like Cambridge and Norwich.
Besides natural beauty and charming cities, the East of England is also a place of growing prosperity and opportunity. Schools are rising in quality and variety, and so are job options. There’s also an expanding transport network that makes it easy to explore the region and get out to the rest of the UK.
What are East of England average property prices like?
When compared against the national average, the East of England is a relatively expensive place to buy residential property. In March 2024, Zoopla recorded an East of England average property price of just under £400,000. This is almost £100,000 higher than the country-wide average for England of £302,000.
However, this high regional average hides a good deal of variation. Cambridge, Norwich and other major cities are pricey, but there are good prospects for inexpensive house hunting in the quieter rural areas.
The East of England has so much to offer, and this list is just the tip of the iceberg. Below, you’ll find our dedicated area guide, which has more information about the wider region and plenty of new developments to explore at your leisure.
The East of England sits within the curved section of land protruding above the Thames Estuary, covering the home counties above London and stretching up to the border with the East Midlands.
Read more about East of EnglandHomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to recognise high performers and help improve standards in the built environment.
