Originally, Stratford emerged as a hamlet nestled in the northwest corner of the ancient parish of West Ham. Over time, it underwent urbanization, witnessed population growth, and merged with surrounding areas. Despite never serving as an administrative entity beyond a ward, Stratford shares the common trait with many London locales of lacking clearly defined boundaries. Nevertheless, it predominantly occupies the northwest sector of West Ham, mirroring the boundaries of the modern London Borough of Newham. Its western borders are demarcated by the River Lea and the intricate network of the Bow Back Rivers, while its northern extent reaches the boundary of the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The majority of Stratford lies within the E15 postal area, yet the Royal Mail introduced the new E20 postcode specifically for the Olympic Park and Stratford City developments. This postcode was previously associated solely with the fictional East London locale of Walford in the BBC TV series EastEnders. The name "Walford" ingeniously merges the names of nearby Walthamstow and Stratford
This commuter town in Essex offers an increasingly popular shopping centre, an impressive range of bars, cafes and restaurants and well-regarded schools such as; the Ursuline and Brentwood Schools. Thorndon Country Park and historic Weald Country Park are also fantastic for families. Excellent train links to London via the Crossrail link also makes this a thriving location. Junction 28 of the M25 is nearby and the A12 gives direct access towards London, Suffolk or Norfolk.
Brentwood offers an increasingly popular shopping centre, an impressive range of bars, cafes and restaurants and highly-regarded schools such as the Ursuline and Brentwood Schools.
King George's Park, Thorndon Country Park and historic Weald Country Park are also fantastic attractions for families. With excellent train links into London, this also makes Brentwood and surrounding areas a thriving location. Junction 28 of the M25 is nearby and the A12 gives direct access towards London, Suffolk or Norfolk.