Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Little Oakley is a pretty, quiet village surrounded by fields, just a mile from the coast. There are cute thatched cottages and pristine new builds to choose from, and it&#8217;s perfect for getting back to nature, with <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/hamford-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamford Water Nature Reserve</a> nearby, well known for its populations of over-wintering birds, including black tailed godwits and grey plover. With Harwich just down the road, the location is great for food, drink  and shopping.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/2-11.jpg" alt="The Pier Harwich" class="wp-image-23662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/2-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/2-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/2-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/2-11-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Pier</figcaption></figure>



<p>The only pub in the village, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YOCTLittleOakley?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ye Olde Cherry Tree,</a> is popular with locals, and it&#8217;s not hard to see why, with dishes such as langoustines cooked in garlic butter and buffalo cauliflower bites. Up the road in Harwich itself (6 min journey) you&#8217;re spoilt for choice with restaurants like <a href="https://lambardsharwich.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lambard&#8217;s Salthouse</a> – the smoked bass rarebit is heaven on a plate – and <a href="https://www.thaiupatthequay.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thai up the Quay</a>, when only a green curry will do. <a href="https://www.milsomhotels.com/the-pier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pier</a> is a high end brasserie in a modernised 1860 listed building, or for a cute café try <a href="https://hamfordview.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamford View Vintage Tea Room</a>. Wine o&#8217;clock? We recommend Manningtree&#8217;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/estuarywinebar/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estuary Wine Bar</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>For great indies head to Harwich, like <a href="https://www.baldwins-departmentstores.com/dovercourt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baldwins of Dovercourt</a>, a locally-owned department store with fashion, accessories, homeware and more. For gifts, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SweetPFloralDesign/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sweet P Floral Design</a> sells beautiful blooms and arrangements, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/itsallhandmadedovercourt" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">It&#8217;s All Handmade</a> speaks for itself. The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1396616590792303/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doverco</a><a href="https://visitharwich.com/directory/dovercourt-street-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urt Street Market</a> every Friday hosts indie traders selling all sorts of goods, and <a href="https://all4paws-1.sumupstore.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All4paws</a> covers pet needs. Need a sweet treat? Head to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Short-Sweet-Boutique-100063482801727/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Short &amp; Sweet Boutique</a>. We&#8217;ll take some fizzy cola bottles, please.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>For fitness and treatments head to the <a href="https://www.lifehouse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lifehouse Spa and Hotel</a> just a 15 min journey away. It offers more than 60 group classes a week, plus there&#8217;s a sauna, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, salt inhalation room and plunge pool for luxurious afters. Hair need a spruce? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hairSHACd/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hair SHAC by the Pier</a> gets our vote for cutting, colouring and the best bouncy blowdries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/1-13.jpg" alt="The Maybush Inn Little Oakley" class="wp-image-23663" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/1-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/1-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/1-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/1-13-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Maybush Inn</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.maybushinn.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Maybush Inn</a> in Great Oakley is a family and dog-friendly place to eat and drink, owned and run by the locals. There&#8217;s a bustling community hall in Little Oakley itself, plus a state of the art <a href="https://playsport.com/littleoakleyfootballclub_ag_ea475b01" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">football training club</a>, providing opportunities for both junior and senior players to develop skills and enjoy the game.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-30.jpg" alt="Seal watching Harwich Little Oakley" class="wp-image-23666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-30.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-30-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-30-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-30-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harwich Seal Watching</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are plenty of things to do on the outskirts of Little Oakley, kicking off by putting on your walking shoes and going for an 18 mile walk from <a href="https://www.britishwalks.org/walks/2002/267.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mistley to Great Oakley</a>. Too much? Head to Dovercourt and check out the <a href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1017200" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lighthouses</a>, built in 1863&nbsp;to guide vessels around Landguard Point. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://sealwatching.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seal watching</a> in Harwich, which promises guaranteed sightings, while a trip to the seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze (10 miles) gives kids (OK, and you) the chance to find fossils (again pretty much guaranteed). There&#8217;s also a pier you should stroll along while eating fish and chips smothered in salt and vinegar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>In Walton, visit the 86ft octagonal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nazetower.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naze Tower</a>, a historic landmark over eight floors that now houses an art gallery, café and roof viewing platform with panoramic views. <a href="https://www.harwichmuseum.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harwich Museum</a> is run by volunteers with lots of exhibits to enjoy, and then there&#8217;s Little Oakley&#8217;s annual <a href="https://visitharwich.com/event/simple-things-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simple Things Festival</a>, a day of live music, stalls, food and drink, kids&#8217; activities and circus skills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Little Oakley&#8217;s average house price is £314,147 (bargain!) with the majority of sales being detached, selling for around £378,389. Semi-detached properties sell for an average of £272,000, with terraces fetching £191,667.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-31-1000x667.jpg" alt="Little Oakley Essex This 3 bed 18th-century cottage's been recently modernised yet still retains original exposed beams and  inglenook fireplace. The price?Just £325,000 – £350,000." class="wp-image-23669" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-31-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-31-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-31-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/06/Untitled-design-31.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This 3 bed <a href="https://www.patrickjamespc.co.uk/property/400/Vine-Cottage-Great-Oakley-CO12-House" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">18th-century cottage</a>&#8216;s been recently modernised yet still retains original exposed beams and  inglenook fireplace. The price?Just £300,000 – £335,000.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://oakeydokeys.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oakey Dokeys Pre-School </a>is Ofsted rated Good and takes children from age two until primary school as well as those with Special Education Needs. <a href="https://www.springmeadow.essex.sch.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring Meadow Primary School and its School House Nursery</a> are also rated Good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>We&#8217;re sticking with <a href="https://www.springmeadow.essex.sch.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring Meadow Primary School and School House Nursery</a> for the first of our schools line-up, with Ofsted reporting children get highly individualised support to regulate behaviour and access their learning. There&#8217;s also the Ofsted Outstanding <a href="https://www.mayflower-pri.essex.sch.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayflower Primary School</a> in Harwich, while for secondaries <a href="https://hdhs.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harwich and Dovercourt High School </a>(rated Good) states its goal is to empower students to reach their goals, whatever their starting points. Indie-wise, <a href="https://www.holmwood.house/">Holmwood House</a> (23 miles) and <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/ipswich-high-school-woolverstone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ipswich High</a> just over the border in Suffolk (22 miles) are both excellent choices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a Roman villa and archaeological site here, deliberately kept hidden by English Heritage to protect it from treasure hunters and potential damage.&nbsp;Cool, aye?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>London is a two-and-a-half hour drive away, so your best bet is to head to Little Oakley&#8217;s nearest train station, Dovercourt, for the 90 min journey. An annual season ticket costs £7,612.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>. </p>


Little Oakley

See more in Essex