Town& country
THE SUCCESS STORY THAT IS STRATFORD OR THE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF FAVERSHAM? EMMA WELLS TAKES A LOOK AROUND...
OVER the past decade, Stratford’s regeneration has become one of London’s biggest successes: the East London district’s transformation of contaminated industrial land into the 2012 Olympic Village – now the vibrant hipster community known as East Village – has inspired many of London’s most visionary placemakers. Its excellent connections and vast green spaces, such as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and well-priced homes have also made it one of London’s top first-time buyer hubs.
‘E20 is shaping up to be a true neighbourhood in the best traditions of London life, with superb green spaces and sports facilities,’ Alex
Lifschutz, director of architects and master planners Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, says. ‘On its way is a new UCL university campus, plus the V&A and other museums at Stratford Waterfront. And although the Stratford Westfield shopping centre is only a short walk away, small independent businesses have been given space in the area.’ Despite the exciting new residential skyscrapers in the district (Manhattan Loft Corporation’s cantilevered 42-storey, 248-home Manhattan Loft Gardens is just one example), the streets lined with traditional terraced homes are still popular. Expect to pay from £400,000 for a three-bedroom home in need of renovation, especially if they are close to the stations, which
offer the Jubilee and Central underground lines and the DLR, with London St Pancras just a sevenminute journey from Stratford International.
Within an hour, however, you could be in Faversham, just 48 miles from London. The unpretentious market town has 500 listed buildings, and is surrounded by scenery studded with fruit orchards, farms and hop gardens. The cathedral city of Canterbury and the Kentish coast hot spots of Whitstable and Herne Bay are all within a 25-minute drive. ‘The vibrant centre has cobbled streets with many
independent shops, a mix of medieval through to Georgian and Victorian buildings and a market three times a week selling local produce. Faversham is a magnetic town with a real community spirit.’
But what can you get for your money? A pretty two-bedroom terraced cottage on sought-after Abbey Street, near the town and Faversham Creek will cost from about £300,000, rising to up to £550,000 for a four-bedder on smart Athelstan, Britton and Saxon roads.
New-build offerings are also booming in the town.