Town Pop. 4,442

Living in Writtle: Liveability Score 58/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Writtle comes out at 58/100 on the 9 categories we can score here. Healthcare is where Writtle most outperforms the national norm: 48/100 against a median of 18/100 across UK towns. That makes it the 2nd highest-scoring of the 6 places in the CM1 postcode district.

No category drops below 42/100, which is unusual: most UK towns carry at least one clear weak spot. The CM1 district averages 64/100, putting Writtle 6 points below its own postcode area. Its healthcare score runs 11 points below the CM1 district's 59/100. For the surrounding area, see CM1 postcode district.

58
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.

Writtle scores 58 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Writtle.
Or compare:
CM1 1AE CM1 2AA CM1 3AA CM1 4AA CM1 6AF CM1 7AA CM1 9AE CM1

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
78
68.9 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 105 crimes
↓ 29% below national average
Shoplifting 46 crimes
↑ 33% above national average
Other theft 36 crimes
↑ 31% above national average
Drugs 28 crimes
↑ 91% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 18 crimes
↓ 73% below national average
other 73 crimes
Highest-crime locations
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  1. 1 Bridge Street 47 crimes
  2. 2 Petrol Station 37 crimes
  3. 3 Parking Area 36 crimes

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

Environment
60
Air Quality NO₂ 7.4 · PM2.5 7 · PM10 12.2 µg/m³
71
Green Space 36
Parks Ample 8
Sports Pitches Adequate 2
Allotments Some 1
Golf Courses Some 1
Tennis Courts Adequate 5
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Adequate 3

Services

Schools
45
3 schools in area · 24 within 4km
2Good1Requires Improvement
  • Writtle Infant SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Writtle Junior SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Hylands SchoolSecondary · 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
48
A&E departmentsBroomfield Hospital3 mi
Basildon University Hospital11.4 mi
Princess Alexandra Hospital13.8 mi
Hospital waitsMid And South Essex NHS Foundation Trust1.6 mi
Routine referral (median)17 wks
Treated within 18 weeks50.6%
A&E seen within 4 hrs68%
1 GP surgery in area 4 within 4km best 'Good'
GP capacity2,037 patients per GP
1dentist1pharmacy

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
78
Full fibre (FTTP)79.4%
available across Chelmsford
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
92.6%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
92.6%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
99.1%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 112 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
67
Employment rate51.5%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed51.5%Unemployed2.5%Retired30.9%Student6.5%Other inactive8.5%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial46.5%Skilled & technical33.4%Routine & elementary20%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications18%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)9.4%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.7%Level 3 (A levels)18.4%Level 4+ (degree & above)32.9%Apprenticeship4.7%Other (incl. vocational)2.8%
Home ownership72.7%
Among the least-deprived 35% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
60
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

Transport
42
Chelmsford 2 mi
Beaulieu Park 4.6 mi
Ingatestone 4.7 mi
J28 M25 10.7 mi
J28 M25 10.8 mi
J28 M25 10.9 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
47
Pubs & Bars Some 2
Restaurants & Cafes Adequate 6
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Adequate 12
Takeaways Some 1
Fitness None

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £492,250 30
Terraced £455,000 12
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced
£338k £551k £771k £985k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Roxwell 40 2.2 mi away ⇄
Chelmsford 68 2.6 mi away ⇄
Margaretting 33 2.8 mi away ⇄
Galleywood 53 3.3 mi away ⇄
Broomfield 49 3.4 mi away ⇄
Fryerning 41 4.1 mi away ⇄
Great Waltham 50 4.5 mi away ⇄
Little Waltham 55 4.6 mi away ⇄
Stock 33 4.9 mi away ⇄
Ingatestone 47 4.9 mi away ⇄
Blackmore 48 5.1 mi away ⇄
Sandon 43 5.1 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Writtle a nice place to live?

Writtle is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for Writtle is 58/100, 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 Writtle?

Writtle is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 78/100. There were 306 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Writtle?

Among the top-rated schools in Writtle are Writtle Infant School and Writtle Junior School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in Writtle in total.

What are house prices like in Writtle?

The current median house price in Writtle is £492,250, around 73% above the England and Wales average. By property type: terraced £455,000. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 26%. There were 30 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Writtle in context

See where Writtle ranks among the best places to live in Essex

Postcode districts in Writtle

CM1 64 ⇄

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