We live in ‘celebrities’ paradise’ where homes sell for £15MILLION… we bump into TV stars & sport legends on high street

A CELEBRITIES' paradise is home to million-pound glossy mansions with basement swimming pools -  and “garden houses” for their at-home gyms.

Houses in the area can fetch a whopping £2million and local jewellery shops sell pieces for as much £20,000. 

The unsuspecting area, Epping Forest, is a district in Essex, England and as its name would suggest is also graced with sprawling, beautiful woods - a particular draw for many of its affluent residents.

And in particular, a number of very famous faces.

James Berndes, 35, opened Fred and Doug’s café with his cousin eight years ago after a career in finance in London’s City.

Located in a prime spot on Epping’s high street, and neighbour to other plush cafes and shops like a Gail’s bakery and a fine art gallery, the quaint coffee shop is a vibrant spot for locals and celebrities alike. 

A celebrity hotspot

The English television presenter Jeff Brazier is a regular along with his son Bobby, a recent finalist on Strictly Come Dancing. 

“They’re our good friends now,” said James.

It’s not just TV personalities but famous football players and cyclists too.

James added: “David Beckham’s mum was just in here."

With easy transport links to the M11 and M25 Epping Forest has become a playground for the rich and famous. 

Just wander down Norsey Road - dubbed “millionaires' row” - and you’ll find towering mansions with gated driveways, set back from the road.

Jacqui Hogan, 57, an art curator at the local fine art gallery who has lived all over the world, said business has been booming since they opened last year.

They hold a number of events to celebrate their artists’ work including one they’re hosting next week for an award-winning Argentinian artist, Fabian Perez. 

The gathering will welcome many “big names” said Jacqui, including footballers and TV presenters.

Actors and a news presenter are also counted as some of the gallery’s affluent clients.

“It’s a nice area,” she said.

“We get a few actors too but I'm not very good at recognising them until I start talking to them,” she added.

Playground for the wealthy

"Epping attracts lots of affluent people from different industries," said Mari-Louise Whitbread, 57, an estate agent for many high-earners.

"Everyone from banking to the creative industries come and buy houses here", she added.

Mari-Louise sells houses for up to £3 million which often feature porcelain tiles, home gyms and swimming pools.

 David Beckham’s mum was just in here, as well as Mark Cavendish

James Burndeis

For some of the ultra luxurious homes on the edge of Epping you can also find a tennis court in the garden.

“A lot of the properties have a garden room,” she said.

“They usually have a home gym so people don’t need to go anywhere. They want everything around them,” she added.

Sculptures worth thousands

The average monthly private rent in Epping Forest is almost £1,700, over £300 more than the national average, according to official statistics.

For Tate Henderson, 29, who has lived in Epping for five years with her husband - the head of a recruitment firm - the area is a perfect spot to raise a family.

But even she admits the high street has turned into a rich man’s cave with “tens of thousands of pound sculptures and art shops”. 

“It’s my 30th this year and I have asked for one of those pieces of art,” she said.

They usually have a home gym so people don’t need to go anywhere

Mari-Louse Whitbread

“But we’ve seen their prices go up from a few thousand pounds to about 15 thousand pounds because the demand is so high,” she added. 

It's not just Epping attracting all the millionaires but its neighbouring town Chigwell too.

In 2021, The Sun reported Rightmove's most viewed home of the year, worth £15 million fit with a dance floor.

The mega mansion also has a bar, games room and a stunning stone staircase - on top of the five bedrooms, six bathrooms and sprawling living-dining spaces.

The opulent property also boasts a cinema room, a gym, a 10-car underground garage, a private spa and even an Olympic-sized paddock.

Cash rich personality poor

For Janette Tapenden, who's lived in Epping since 1975, the area's new-found glam has come with some serious downsides.

Despite living in a terraced house, which she thinks will have massively gone up in value, the community isn't what it used to be.

Her neighbours aren’t very friendly, she said, and the area is overrun with wealthy outsiders who aren't as community spirited as those who were born there.

She also thinks crime in the area is getting worse too.

Just recently Janette was burgled and had her handbag stolen.

"I don't walk home at night alone, neither do a lot of women," Janette added.

Jeff Brazier and Bobby are our good friends now

Ben Burndeis

Sarah Sternschuss, 61, who's lived in the area 51 years, said the fancy shops have taken over some of the local, independent store fronts.

"It's sad people don't buy books anymore," she said.

"Once we lost the police station, the criminals come in a pick-pocket on market day,

"I saw someone with a basket of meat racing out the door of M&S.

"Two houses on my road were burgled in one night," she added.