New places are opening up all the time. A new hotel is being converted as we speak and Wetherspoons is coming.
There are great places to eat, from the chains to individual places.
"Serendipity" near Waitrose has some brilliant sandwiches which are made there and then - so you have to wait a while but they are definitely worth it and are also extremely reasonable. Much better than buying cold, pre-packed ones! It also sells some interesting US foods along with other deli stuff.
The market on Saturday is great and they have 2 brilliant plant stalls.
One has some fabulous cut flowers, like you would see in 'Country Living' and the other has some very reasonable plants for the garden (10 perennials for a fiver!)
The Marquee is a great small venue for local bands. Very popular.
The clothes shops are getting better with some great individual ones like "Kitten" and "Ginger Lillie" We just need a decent shoe shop now!!
Schools are great and my son goes to Simon Balle which is fantastic.
I couldn't wish for a better school. They have very encouraging and supportive staff with a great attitude to the children. It has a brilliant atmosphere. Children always appear happy and polite with no reports of bullying, and my son has been there for 4 years.
Hartham Common is great to take children with the rivers for paddling in and catching fish with nets. The cycle paths go all the way to London! Swings, kite flying, skateboarding, go-cart-kiting, football, tennis etc., etc.
Cannons Gym is great too, although a little expensive, but then no children go there, which is rather nice sometimes! Great pool, steam room and sauna.
There are two mainline stations into Liverpool Street and King's Cross.
We are very lucky!!