About Chignall Smealy

Chignall Smealy is a small village located in the county of Essex, in the east of England. It lies within the CM1 postcode area and is situated near the border with Hertfordshire. The village is part of the civil parish of Chignall, and the name Smealy is thought to derive from Old English, possibly meaning 'smealy' or 'dusty' land. The area is predominantly rural, with a mix of farmland and scattered residential properties. The village is close to the A120 road, which provides access to nearby towns such as Braintree and Chelmsford. There are no major landmarks or attractions within the village itself, but it offers a quiet, countryside setting with a strong sense of local community. The surrounding landscape is typical of Essex, with rolling fields and hedgerows.

School Ratings in Chignall Smealy

There are 49 schools in and around Chignall Smealy. Tanglewood Nursery School, Chelmsford Hospital School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls and King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford are each rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 18 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Chignall Smealy

The average property price is £454K, with semi-detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £404K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Chignall Smealy

Recorded crime levels are higher than the national average. Shoplifting is prevalent across Chignall Smealy, with 91 recorded incidents in January 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Chignall Smealy

Chignall Smealy sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Broadband and Mobile Internet in Chignall Smealy

Broadband speeds in Chignall Smealy are generally strong, with superfast and ultrafast options widely available. Mobile coverage across 4G and 5G networks is reliable throughout most of the area. For the latest speed predictions, visit Ofcom's broadband checker.

Property Prices 9,633 sales

Average Price £454K
£100 — £38.76M
Detached £621K 2,367
Semi £404K 2,589
Terraced £351K 2,030
Flat £228K 2,344

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

28 Primary
7 Secondary
14 Other
Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School Primary Good 2.1 miles Great Waltham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary Good 2.2 miles Roxwell Church of England Primary School Primary Good 2.2 miles Chelmer Valley High School Secondary Good 2.4 miles Lawford Mead Primary & Nursery Primary Good 2.5 miles Lift Columbus 2.6 miles Tanglewood Nursery School Nursery Outstanding 2.7 miles Parkwood Academy Primary Requires Improvement 2.7 miles Broomfield Primary School Primary Good 2.7 miles St John Payne Catholic School, Chelmsford Secondary Good 2.8 miles St Pius X Catholic Primary School Primary 2.8 miles Writtle College Limited 16 plus Good 2.9 miles

Deprivation and Employment in Chignall Smealy IMD 2025

Chignall Smealy sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
7/10
Housing
6/10
Living Environment
6/10
18,344 Children (0-15) 19%
61,070 Working Age 63%
21,857 Older (60+) 23%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 25.8% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 14.7% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Chignall Smealy 709 crimes · January 2026

High Crime Area

Chignall Smealy sees higher than average levels of reported crime relative to its population. Violence & sexual offences represents the most frequently recorded category. This pattern is not uncommon in densely populated urban areas and does not necessarily reflect the experience of most residents.

311 Violence & Sexual Offences
91 Shoplifting
62 Anti-Social Behaviour
50 Public Order
47 Other Theft
39 Criminal Damage & Arson
32 Drugs
19 Burglary
17 Vehicle Crime
16 Other Crime
11 Robbery
8 Bicycle Theft
3 Weapons
3 Theft from Person
Local Policing
Essex Chelmsford West Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Chelmsford Train Station 3.8 miles
Hatfield Peverel Train Station 7.7 miles
Ingatestone Train Station 7.8 miles
Cressing (Essex) Train Station 8.8 miles
White Notley Train Station 8.9 miles
Braintree Train Station 9.2 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Mashbury 0.6 miles Fanner's Green 0.9 miles Breeds 1.4 miles Chignall St James 1.4 miles Boyton Cross 1.4 miles High Houses 1.8 miles Pleshey 1.9 miles Broad's Green 2 miles Chalk End 2 miles Great Waltham 2.2 miles Roxwell 2.2 miles Blasford Hill 2.5 miles

Local Government

District Chelmsford
County Essex
Ward Waterhouse Farm
Constituency Chelmsford
Parish Chelmsford, unparished area
Region East of England

Streets in CM1 30 shown View all streets

Abbess Close 1 Acer Grove 2 Acres End 1 Admirals Walk 1 Alamein Road 1 Albany Close 1 Albemarle Link 2 Aldeburgh Way 2 Alick Hornsnell View 1 All Saints Close 1 Alma Drive 2 Alyssum Close 1 Anderson Avenue 2 Andrews Place 3 Anjou Green 1 Anvil Way 1 Apple Court 1 Arbour Lane 3 Armistice Avenue 6 Armours Lane 1 Arnhem Road 1 Arthur Court 1 Arthur Turp Close 1 Arun Close 1 Ashford Place 1 Ashford Road 1 Ashtree Close 1 Ashtree Crescent 1 Ashurst Drive 1 Aster Court 1

Postcodes in CM1 50 shown View all postcodes

CM1 1AE CM1 1AF CM1 1AG CM1 1AH CM1 1AN CM1 1AP CM1 1AQ CM1 1AT CM1 1AU CM1 1AW CM1 1BA CM1 1BB CM1 1BD CM1 1BE CM1 1BS CM1 1BT CM1 1BY CM1 1DD CM1 1DE CM1 1DG CM1 1DH CM1 1DL CM1 1DN CM1 1DR CM1 1DU CM1 1DW CM1 1DX CM1 1EA CM1 1EB CM1 1EH CM1 1EJ CM1 1EL CM1 1EQ CM1 1ER CM1 1EW CM1 1FG CM1 1FH CM1 1FU CM1 1FW CM1 1FZ CM1 1GD CM1 1GE CM1 1GF CM1 1GG CM1 1GH CM1 1GJ CM1 1GL CM1 1GN CM1 1GP CM1 1GR