The perks of a quiet suburban setting are exemplified by the green village-like Woodford area while still being within 30 minutes of Bank. South Woodford consists of pockets of Victorian terraces – such as those just north of Hermon Hill – neatly interspersed among sets of 1930s semi-detached properties. The charming Victorian-style high street – George Lane – is the locale’s prime asset, attracting shoppers from all around the area. It boasts independent cafes, a cinema of unique historic importance, and an 18th-century pub – The George. South Woodford is a safe and obvious choice for many families: with many recreational areas around the ancient woodland of Epping Forest. Parents will also be attracted by Nightingale Primary School which has been rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Extra-curricular development opportunities are not limited to children, however – Redbridge Drama Centre provides workshops for ages five to sixty-five and houses productions at least once a week.

South Woodford has been character-building since 1856, when a station – known then as George Lane – was opened on that very street. If the legacy of South Woodford’s trendified era consists of a few hip cafes, then the trend itself might have begun back when the area’s church was imported from Camden Town back in 1882, and installed upon Hermon Hill. But from the early previous century onwards, the commuting convenience of the town was starting to be noticed and the town grew organically into the homely set of neighbourhoods it appears as today. Recently, the locale has arguably been ‘outcompeting’ its neighbouring Wanstead as the classier of Redbridge’s neighbourhoods. With the high-street’s elegant architecture, boasting an impressive selection of restaurants and shops, there is little reason to doubt the area’s worth.

Ruth Rendell is regarded by many as the saviour of the thriller genre from the bark of literary critics, when this sort of novel was still in its infancy. She has inspired countless authors today, enriched the lives of her peers in the House of Lords and unnerved those who have had the pleasure of meeting her personally: “she was so affable in person and yet you knew she could summon up dark places in her mind”, recalls crime writer Simon Brett.

She is most famed for her series of Inspector Wexford novels, who simultaneously carved out a standard within crime writing whilst also developing its wider appeal. Rendell never retired; she passed away in 2015 having released her last novel that same year. Throughout her life, Rendell’s humble roots were kept close to her heart – her novels are flavoured with the morals of social justice, spanning topics as wide as domestic violence and racism.

The forking of the High Road at the George pub leaves the Electric Parade on the east side on George Lane. The elegant parade of shops was installed in 1925 and the name probably derives from the time around when electricity was introduced to the area. Winston Churchill was the local member of parliament who presided over opening of the locally-famous Odeon Cinema which, at the time, was one of five independent Majestic Theatres. This was the year 1934 when the entertainment complex was completed in Art Deco style by architect S. B. Pritlove. An organ featured in the new building together with a ballroom, neither of which, sadly, survive today.

The area is undoubtedly a rare find for those wishing to escape the bustle of the city. It is true, though, that living directly on either side of the North Circular has its drawbacks. Living close to the ring road might be troublesome for those sensitive to noise, while pollution can also be an issue. Noise concerns arising from the tube, however, have recently been addressed by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Local resident, Hayley, explains that “given most neighbourhoods are tucked away behind some portion of trees or a hill, these problems typically do not amount to much.”

In contrast to most other areas in the east of the capital development and new construction is relatively infrequent. This can partially be attributed to the staying power of the families and pensioners who form the bulk of the community, but is also a product of the neighbourhood’s history of local conservationism which continues to put off developers to this day. However plans have been approved for a small co-living scheme on Chigwell Road. The 45 new residences have been opposed by locals and councillors who described the rooms as “rabbit hutch sized”. However Woodford’s lack of housing development in recent years meant that approval was granted in order to meet quotas set by the London Plan.