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.
Top of the rankings for the East of England 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, WD17Second-placed Cortland Cassiobury is a rental development located in Watford. Apartments range from studios to penthouses feature thoughtful designs and high-quality finishes tailored for modern living. Residents benefit from balconies, views, regular events, superb amenities, including a fitness centre, business lounge, and club lounge, dining suites, cinema room, along with landscaped gardens with BBQ areas, play area, and a dog park.
Read reviews and details of Cortland Cassiobury, WD18Our third-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, CM2Taking fourth place is Simple Life’s Coppice Hill development. Situated next to its sister-site Milard Grange, residents can benefit from excellent transport connectivity, with the M1 and Leagrave train station within close proximity. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in Houghton Regis and Dunstable, all within a close reach to Coppice Hill.
Read reviews and details of Simple Life at Coppice Hill, LU5Sitting fifth, Chesterwell is a new community located in Colchester, a picturesque city offering a unique blend of historical woodland and scenic parks. Colchester high street, just a short walk away, offers a flurry of various shops, restaurants and bars. This new development also has excellent travel connections to London and other major cities from Colchester station as well as easy access to the A134 and A12. For family days out, Chesterwell is close to Colchester Zoo, the well-preserved Colchester Castle and is a short drive from the coast.
Read reviews and details of Leaf Living at Chesterwell, CO4Taking sixth and occupying a prime spot in Stevenage’s town centre, surrounded by the enchanting greenspace of Fairlands Valley Park, it’s PLATFORM_. Convenience, shopping, and entertainment are all within reach at Westgate Shopping and Leisure Park.
Read reviews and details of Vonder Stevenage, SG1Seventh-placed Woodlands Rest is a new housing development in Meppershall, Bedfordshire, offering a range of two to five-bedroom homes built by Davidsons Homes. The development emphasizes traditional style and high-quality construction, with features like open-plan kitchens and spacious living areas. It has recently welcomed its first residents, reflecting its popularity and the high demand for homes within the community. Woodlands Rest combines village charm with modern living, making it attractive to those seeking a quieter lifestyle with convenient amenities and transport links.
Read reviews and details of Woodlands Rest, SG17In eighth, 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, AL5The ninth 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, AL10Taking 10th place, 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, NR31Sitting 11th in our rankings 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, CB7At number 12, Heath Farm is a development of 2, 3, 4 and 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 13th, 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, NR18 Berry Wood, developed by Bellway is a new development of homes in Wootton, a desirable village with good commuter links for Bedford and Milton Keynes. There are a mix of 2, 3, 4 and 5-bedroom homes on offer. Residents benefit from the nearby leisure attractions and countryside views from many of the plots.
Read reviews and details of Berry Wood, MK43What 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 November 2024, Rightmove recorded an East of England average property price of £391,000. This is more than £80,000 higher than the country-wide average for England of £309,000.
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 is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
