Town Pop. 293

Living in Gay Bowers: Liveability Score 50/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Gay Bowers comes out at 50/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Healthcare is where Gay Bowers most outperforms the national norm: 54/100 against a median of 18/100 across UK towns. Broadband falls furthest short: 21/100 where the typical UK town reaches 60/100.

That makes it the 7th highest-scoring of the 24 places in the CM3 postcode district. On healthcare specifically, Gay Bowers sits 25 points above the CM3 district figure of 29/100. Economic health (94) and safety (92) also clear 80/100. The same breakdown for the wider area is on the CM3 postcode district.

OUT OF 100

Average

Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Gay Bowers scores 50 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Gay Bowers.

Or compare:

CM3 1AA CM3 2AA CM3 3AA CM3 4AA CM3 5BF CM3 6AA CM3 7AB CM3 8AA CM3

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety

249.1 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Above the England & Wales average of 94.3

Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months

Violence and sexual offences 27 crimes

↑ 177% above national average

Vehicle crime 8 crimes

↑ 469% above national average

Other theft 7 crimes

↑ 285% above national average

Anti-social behaviour 7 crimes

↑ 57% above national average

Burglary 6 crimes

↑ 486% above national average

other 18 crimes

Highest-crime locations

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1 Supermarket 13 crimes
2 Cherry Garden Lane 8 crimes
3 Nursery Lane 7 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment

Air Quality NO₂ 7.333 · PM2.5 6.987 · PM10 12.378 µg/m³

Green Space 41

Parks Adequate 4

Sports Pitches None

Allotments None

Golf Courses Some 1

Tennis Courts None

Bowling Greens None

Playgrounds None

Services

Schools

1 school in area · 5 within 4km

1Requires Improvement

Priory Primary School, BicknacrePrimary · inspected 2023
Requires Improvement

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare

A&E departmentsBroomfield Hospital7.1 mi

Southend University Hospital10.6 mi

Basildon University Hospital11.6 mi

Hospital waitsMid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust3.5 mi

Routine referral (median)17 wks

Treated within 18 weeks50.6%

A&E seen within 4 hrs68%

Nearest GP surgeryDanbury Medical Centre1 mi

GP capacity3,830 patients per GP

0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband

Full fibre (FTTP)79.4%

available across Chelmsford

Gigabit-capable · incl. cable

58.3%

Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)

58.3%

Superfast (30+ Mbps)

85%

Ofcom Connected Nations · 8 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health

Employment rate47.6%

Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+

Economic activity (16+)

Employed47.6%Unemployed1.3%Retired37.8%Student3.9%Other inactive9.3%

Occupation mix

Professional & managerial53%Skilled & technical33.2%Routine & elementary13.8%

Highest qualification (16+)

No qualifications14.1%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.1%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)16.2%Level 3 (A levels)15.9%Level 4+ (degree & above)36.9%Apprenticeship3.9%Other (incl. vocational)2.9%

Home ownership90.2%

Among the least-deprived 14% of areas in England

Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD

Bills

Council tax Chelmsford · 2026-27

A £1,533

B £1,789

C £2,044

D £2,300

E £2,811

F £3,322

G £3,833

H £4,600

Energy Eastern England region

Typical bill regional £1,641/yr

Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026

Typical home efficiency local EPC band D

Water Anglian Water

Average bill regional £498/yr

Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

South Woodham Ferrers 3.8 mi

Beaulieu Park 5 mi

Hatfield Peverel 5.3 mi

J28 M25 15.9 mi

J28 M25 16 mi

Lifestyle

Pubs & Bars None

Restaurants & Cafes None

Supermarkets & Convenience None

Retail Shopping None

Takeaways None

Fitness None

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House Prices

Not enough recent sales

Fewer than 10 sales were recorded in Gay Bowers in the last 12 months, which isn't enough for a reliable median. Smaller villages often fall below this in any given year. Figures come from HM Land Registry Price Paid data and are updated monthly, so this may fill in later.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gay Bowers a nice place to live?

Gay Bowers is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Gay Bowers is 50/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Gay Bowers?

Gay Bowers is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 92/100. There were 73 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

Gay Bowers in context

See the best places to live in Essex, ranked

Postcode districts in Gay Bowers

CM3 48 ⇄

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