16 very good reasons to always check the dessert menu.

Whether your sweet tooth started with sneaking Mini Rolls into the Asda trolley or unwrapping a Penguin in your packed lunch, in our opinion, dessert has always been the most important dish of the day. At these London spots, it’s not just an end-of-meal add-on, it’s the main attraction. Think still-warm madeleines, sticky toffee pudding swimming in glossy caramel, and crêpes that arrive with a tableside flame show. A little old-school, sometimes a little over the top, and entirely worth saving room for.

Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.

THE DESSERTS

There is nothing more tantalising than being made to wait for something you want. institution St. John knows that. Its madeleines are freshly baked to order and, paired with a glass of dessert wine, coffee, or a creamy dessert to dunk into, are maybe London’s most titillating dessert. You’ll smell them before you see them and by the time they arrive, your foot will be tapping and your fingers quivering to grab a lusciously still-warm, light-as-air bite.

Quo Vadis’ profiteroles—or if you’re blessed to be on a first-name basis with these paragons of choux consumption, “Les QV Profiteroles Au Chocolat”—are everything we love about . They’re glamorous, a bit messy, a bit naughty, and the dark chocolate is so shiny that you can actually see yourself in them, which is a serious perk for anyone who looks particularly fabulous while half-cut on their second . Sometimes these glossy, bulbous icons flee this high-class institution’s menu. But be patient, they always return.

The River Café’s Chocolate Nemesis is London’s most decadent cover star. It’s saying something that this cake is even more ludicrously rich than most of the people in the dining room of this . How it manages to be dark and fudgy, and yet light as a feather, remains a mystery to us all.

In a city saturated with restaurants, künefe can often be the syrupy back-up dancer to a meat-filled meal. But at Antepliler on Green Lanes, this crispy, golden dessert outshines any meal that comes before it. It’s made to order, so watch as cheese is hidden between two layers of kataifi pastry before it's soaked in syrup over the heat in a metal pan, leaving the pastry golden and the cheese perfectly melted.

The Ritz’s iconic tableside flambé fire show of a dessert comes with a truly alarming dosage of Grand Marnier and a side of aristocratic lore that will inevitably one day feature in a Julian Fellowes Christmas special. Legend has it that this sweet, boozy centurion started life as the result of an accidental kitchen fire while a chef prepared dessert for the Prince of Wales back in 1895. Cut to the 21st century and it’s still the pinnacle of pancake creation, with a grand setting just as OTT theatrical as the server’s ceremonious cognac pours.

The sticky toffee pudding at perma-hyped The Devonshire is the colour of a childhood teddy bear and just as comforting. It’s served in such a perfect square that we suspect a laser cutter may have been involved. Shiny, sweet-bitter sauce soaks into fluffy airy pockets and drips down to create a shallow caramel puddle. It’s light enough (and delicious enough) that we back ourselves to take two down. Even after beef and suet pudding.

Brutto is a one-way ticket to and you should consider their pitch-perfect tiramisu to be your passport. It’s a charismatic symphony of coffee, brandy, and marsala with a defined wedge of luscious cream on top. We’re unable to talk about the fluffy yet stoically firm sponge fingers without teetering into a sensual tone. This is , presented with the kind of effortless shrug that only ’s finest, candlelit trattoria could pull off.

Long before trotted its psychedelic ceiling and seasonal ice cream flavours into our algorithms, this pastel parlour was perfecting the art of “mi scusi darling, the grown-ups have a sugar craving”. Gelupo specialises in gelato for -schmoozing adults who know their way around a great Negroni and appreciate the timeless love match of rich ricotta and dark sour cherries. While we remain faithful to their signature scoop, everyone should have a dalliance with their decadent bitter chocolate sorbet at least once.

Bottarga’s cheesecake has become an instant classic, despite the restaurant only opening at the end of 2024. A photo of the slice—seductively dripping in salted caramel sauce—on your Stories is a modern-day form of status signalling. Although getting a dinner reservation at this Greek spot in is an extreme sport, it’s worth it for this excellent take on a classic Basque cheesecake that also speaks to lovers of chocolate.

Horlicks. Snoozing. Pillows. Bao. Really, the more we think about it, the more inevitable this crossover of cosy sipping and A+ branded cool seems. For all intents and purposes, this Taiwanese mini-chain’s signature dessert is an ice cream sandwich, but one with star power. For several years, it’s made cameos in highly curated “dumps” and candids of malty ice cream dripping onto the sleeves of Acne shirts. Bao and Bao alone could rehabilitate the reputation of our nation’s sleepiest beverage into something so achingly trendy.

Whether placed in your hand, wrapped in a tin foil parcel like a gift, with a wink from owner Nev on your way out, or served at your table with a backslap and a conspiratorial, “that’s my grandmother's secret recipe”—the bread pudding at E. Pellicci is a moment. This Bethnal Green spot is an - masquerading as a Carry On film set. It’s just as famous for this custardy, sweet pud as it is for being the Kray twins’ local hangout back in the day.

The best thing you can say about a great dessert is that it’s not trying to be mature, and the ube choux from Donia is one of our favourite examples. Forget tuiles and strange gelatines—this is an artfully made oversized choux bun that’s been ingeniously filled with lilac ube ice cream. The sweet treat from the Filipino spot in Kingly Court hits all the c’s you want it to: crunchy, cold, and OTT in creaminess.

The first spoonful of The French House’s chocolate mousse is a memorable thing. It’s likely to catch you off guard. A mixture of fancy Pump Street chocolate with either rum or whisky as well? It reads like it’s looking to get you tipsy and tuck you up in bed. At this boozer-cum-bistro, the reality is far more nuanced. This chocolate mousse dissolves almost the moment it touches your lips. One moment it’s a solid, the next a luscious liquid, and all it takes is one spoon.

Ciao Bella’s zingy dessert always elicits squeals of delight as the hollowed-out lemon overflowing with sorbet lands on the table. No matter the weather outside, it’s a must-order at the endearingly chaotic, good-times along Lamb’s Conduit Street. Is it super smooth? No. Is it often a little icy-gritty? Yes. But it will always have a soft spot in our hearts thanks to its kitsch presentation and capability to make us nostalgic for a Sicilian upbringing we never had.

When you look at this dessert in its component parts, you quickly realise that there may well be a higher power at play. is known for whippets and flat whites, but really it should be most famous for one of the great reimagined desserts of our time. Bread? Yes. Deep-fried? Don’t mind if I do. Butter? Always. And cold custard? Marriage may well be on the cards.

Spaghetti hoops, popsicles, and purple ketchup are all things we’ve grown out of as we’ve gotten older, but yum yums are forever. The twisty glazed doughnut is a reminder of great British excellence and invention. Simply put, Krispy Kreme could never.

Corporate demand drives resilience with increased activity in the 20,000+ sq ft size band

Summary

Q1–Q3 take-up totalled 2.02 million sq ft, 2% above the five-year average, with full-year volumes forecast to reach between 2.7 and 2.9 million sq ft, broadly in line with recent annual totals. Q3 take-up stood at 492,000 sq ft, in line with expectations due to the seasonal summer slowdown, and prevailing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Supply has fallen to a record low of 11.9 million sq ft, and with Prime availability expected to tighten further, driving rental growth.

Take-up reached 492,000 sq ft during Q3 2025 which was 42% below the same period in 2024, 29% under the five-year average, and 47% below the ten-year average. This figure culminated in take-up reaching 2.02 million sq ft for the first three quarters of 2025, 2% above the five-year average, and 13% below the ten-year average. The lower levels of take-up recorded in Q3 2025 can be partly explained by the wider economic uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Autumn Budget. This sentiment is reflected in the reduction activity from smaller occupiers leasing between 5,000 and 10,000 sq ft. There was a 20% fall in lettings recorded in this size band when compared to the five-year average.

Conversely, the resilience in the market has been evident by the increase in activity from corporate occupiers. There has been an uptick in deals recorded over 20,000 sq ft, with 30 recorded deals being 22% above the five-year average. This trend highlights the continued appeal of the region to corporate occupiers who remain loyal to this market area.

The increase in activity from larger occupiers is supporting the flight to quality in the market which resulted in Grade A and Prime space accounting for 81% of take-up in Q1–Q3 2025. This trend was illustrated in Q3, with four prime lettings occurring. Centrica completed the largest transaction, relocating to One Station Hill and taking 42,000 sq ft, bringing the building to 70% let, just ten months after practical completion. At 8 Queens Road in Wimbledon, a final letting of 28,500 sq ft secured full occupancy, marking a key milestone for the scheme. Inforcer took 9,000 sq ft at Explore in Richmond, setting a new record headline rent for the South West London submarket, while BPCE Equipment Solutions leased 18,000 sq ft at 63 Kew Road.

Savills is currently tracking 3.54 million sq ft of active requirements across the Greater London and South East office market

Take-up remains nuanced across the region, with larger established centres continuing to grow their occupier base. This trend is reflected in the performance of individual towns. Three markets have stood out in the first three quarters of the year: Reading, St Albans, and Uxbridge. Reading take-up is expected to surpass 600,000 sq ft, marking the first time this milestone has been achieved in over two decades, while St Albans recorded its highest level of take-up in 25 years, reaching almost 90,000 sq ft, 192% above the ten-year average. Uxbridge has also seen robust activity, with 177,000 sq ft transacted across eleven deals from nine different business sectors, contributing to a resilient local economy.

Tenant expansion within existing buildings emerged as a notable trend this quarter. On average, tenants increased their occupied area by 7,483 sq ft, and their average footprint by 84%. Certain occupiers significantly reduced their office footprint during the Covid-19 pandemic, as a result of expected lower occupancy levels arising from hybrid working. This sentiment has been gradually shifting, and there are examples of occupiers needing to expand their footprint to accommodate their employee working patterns.

Looking forward, Savills is currently tracking 3.54 million sq ft of active requirements across the Greater London and South East office market, including Coca-Cola seeking 90,000 sq ft across West London, EasyJet with a 100,000 sq ft requirement in Crawley, and the Civil Aviation Authority targeting 60,000 sq ft in the same area. Take-up for 2025 is forecast to align with the previous three years, reaching between 2.7 and 2.9 million sq ft.

SUPPLY IN GREATER LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST DEVELOPMENT FALLS TO LOWEST LEVEL ON RECORD AS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY STALLS

Supply in the South East has fallen to its lowest level on record, contracting by 10% since the end of 2024 to stand at 11.9 million sq ft. Town centre availability has reduced by 13% over the same period, compared to a 6% fall out-of-town. Prime and Grade A space accounts for 56% of total supply, with the highest proportion in the Thames Valley, but there are only eleven Prime buildings capable of accommodating requirements over 50,000 sq ft. Across all core markets, with the exception of South West London, there is less than one year of Prime supply remaining.

There is only one speculative development under construction, Trehus in Maidenhead, which will deliver 60,000 sq ft of prime space to the market. With just 400,000 sq ft currently in the development and comprehensive refurbishment pipeline against a backdrop of record-low levels of existing supply, competition for top-quality space is expected to intensify, driving rents further across both well-located Prime and Grade A stock.

RICHMOND ACHIEVES NEW RENTAL HIGH AS TECH-LED EXPANSION HIGHLIGHTS AI’S ROLE IN DRIVING TAKE-UP

A new headline rent has been set in Richmond following Inforcer’s lease at Explore. The software firm, which secured £28.5 million in its second phase of venture capital fundraising, has taken 9,000 sq ft of prime space at £64.50 per sq ft, 4% above the previous record achieved by Lindt at The Gosling at the end of last year. Inforcer’s relocation from serviced offices, driven by rapid expansion, highlights the potential for the increased investment into AI being able to support take-up across the South East office market.

With the development pipeline at an all-time low, further rental growth is expected. Already in Q3, Chelmsford’s headline rent increased by 14% to £32.00 per sq ft, Farnborough saw rents rise to £35.00 per sq ft, and the Skechers letting in St Albans pushed the headline rent to £43.00 per sq ft. These rental uplifts reinforce the trend of occupiers being prepared to pay premium rents amidst the ongoing flight to quality and a lack of options across the market.

Savills defines Prime Grade A as best-in-class office space that is ESG-compliant (EPC A&B) and contains multiple amenities; it has been tracked since 2020.

To further discuss the latest insights, please contact the Commercial Research team via the Authors panel

London's emergency services have spent over £11 million responding to wildfires and flooding alone since 2018, new figures have revealed.

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The capital has seen 808 wildfires rage in the last seven years, costing the London Fire Brigade (LFB) more than £5.4million to respond to.

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This year alone, there have been 21 wildfire incidents, prompting the LFB to deploy 4,022 personnel in response and costing £766,000.

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Meanwhile, the cost of tackling floods since 2018 reached £5.86 million this year, including £557,883 for 195 incidents in 2025 alone.

The figures, obtained by London Assembly Member Leonie Cooper via written questions to the Mayor of London, have sparked calls for increased investment in the city's climate resilience.

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In August the Mayor of London said climate change was having a "devastating impact on our environment" and that raging wildfires were no longer a "faraway issue" but on the capital's "doorstep".

Ms Cooper, the Labour Group's Environment spokesperson on the London Assembly, said: “This is not a warning of what climate change might do; this is what it is doing to London today.

"We are spending millions of pounds and deploying thousands of frontline staff just to keep Londoners safe from extreme heat and flooding, that is now happening every year.

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"I am proud that the Mayor continues to be the greenest Mayor London has seen - but continued and urgent investment is needed.

"From greener streets, to cooling homes, to sustainable drainage, London needs sustained investment in climate resilience or the long-term cost to Londoners and impact on our brave firefighters will continue to climb.”

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This summer London faced four heatwaves, with Met Office statistics confirming 2025 is officially the warmest season on record for the UK.

It meant that London's green spaces and woodland was left drier than usual, increasing the risk of a wildfire.

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All blazes this summer were started by people, mostly accidentally. Officials have warned that people using potential ignition sources such as disposable barbecues and cigarettes near dry grass make incidents far more likely.

Figures show that since 2018, Havering has seen the most wildfires, with 158 taking place in the borough. This includes the Wennington blaze of 2022, which saw more than a dozen houses destroyed.

The local authority has already seen 37 incidents this year alone, compared to just eight in 2018.

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Other boroughs seemingly more at risk include Hounslow, with 49 wildfires since 2018, Enfield with 43, and Bromley and Hillingdon both with 41.

Flooding has also increasingly affected the capital, with the Greater London Authority (GLA) branding flash flooding as the main environmental risk to residents.

Earlier this year Sir Sadiq Khan warned that more than 50,000 basement properties are at increased risk of floods due to climate change.

City Hall analysis found that floods could affect nearly half of London's hospitals and a fifth of schools, while Environment Agency data shows more than half a million London homes and businesses at high or medium risk.

Assistant Commissioner for Operational Resilience and Control, Pat Goulbourne, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We know that climate change is having an impact on London’s weather, including increasing the risk of wildfires and flash flooding.

“With wildfires in particular, everyone across London has a part to play to tackle this threat. This includes the public behaving responsibly to prevent wildfires happening in the first place – but also requires landowners to take steps in advance to minimise the harm and damage caused when they do occur, such as the creation of fire breaks.

“We’ve learnt from previous events, such as the summer of 2022, and invested in new equipment and training to help tackle wildfires and we will continue to evolve so that we are ready and prepared for future summers. As the threat from wildfires continues to increase, it is also important that there is continued investment to ensure we have the necessary tools available to address the challenges that lie ahead.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the LDRS: “The climate crisis is having a devastating impact on our environment with extreme temperatures and flash floods becoming the norm, destroying homes, forcing evacuations and posing a genuine threat to life. This isn’t a faraway issue, it's on our doorstep and I’m determined to do everything I can to ensure the capital is as prepared as possible for the impacts of climate change.

“Working closely with the London Fire Brigade, London Councils and partners, we are taking action to make our city resilient to the effects of climate change and also reducing our carbon emissions to ultimately tackle the crisis, building a better London for all.”

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Our guide to the greatest sushi spots in London, from incredible temaki by the piece to once-in-a-lifetime omakase menus.

Sushi isn’t something any old restaurant can make well. It’s the kind of thing that requires a skilled chef and high-quality fish, and can be in the form of a £12 california roll, or a £150+ omakase experience. When you’re craving fatty tuna and seared salmon belly, this list will see you right.

If you're looking specifically for the best omakase menus in London, we've got you covered too. Plus places at the other end of the sushi spectrum that fit into the more casual category.

Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.

THE SPOTS

There isn’t a dish on Himi’s menu that isn’t executed flawlessly: light tempura scallop, tender, juicy charcoal-grilled red shrimp, and thick noodles in a hearty broth are all hits. But it’s the sushi where this spot really shines. The nigiri at this neo-izakaya is top-tier. Fatty tuna all but evaporates in your mouth, squid is perfectly sweet, and every bite is better than the last.

There are plenty of omakase experiences in London, and they’re almost always special but there’s something about Kurisu Omakase that feels different. The unique 18-course sushi experience mixes Japanese cooking with Thai-Colombian influences, genuine brilliance, and inimitable made-in- charm. There are only eight seats, and you’ll find yourself gawping at flame-torched pieces of fish, losing words over truffle and caviar-topped otoro, and belly laughing at the NSFW stories you’re told.

The window seats at Eel Sushi Bar have peak people-watching potential as put-together locals strut down Talbot Road. The wooden trays of nigiri glisten and the chef shows off meaty lobster tails to guests at the counter before slicing it up. The sushi at this laid-back spot is incredible. The chefs work calmly and methodically and everything from melting salmon to meaty lobster looks perfect and tastes even better. There’s only sashimi and nigiri on the menu, plus one excellent miso soup, and there is no wrong order.

At Dinings SW3 in , the interiors are moody and sexy, with huge windows where you can see the small courtyard during balmy lunchtimes. Despite the hefty price tag, the atmosphere is relaxed. It’s all about perfect, uncomplicated fish, and nothing else. From the white fish carpaccio and crispy rice with avocado, to the shrimp tempura inside-out roll and the potted blue lobster sliders—you can count on Dinings SW3 for a close-to-flawless meal.

This tiny sushi counter in only seats seven guests at a time, which makes it somewhat difficult to get a reservation. But that shouldn’t stop you, because it’s well worth the effort. The experience is a traditional, unforgettable affair and the fish is never less than outstanding. Everything, from the yellowtail sushi to extravagant pieces of king crab, is excellent and well worth the price tag.

We all love . The museums, Hyde Park, that pretty street that you aren’t allowed to take pictures of. But we’ve got another reason for you to love it: Yashin Sushi. This quiet spot serves excellent and creative sushi using high-quality fish topped with things like yuzu salt, edible flowers, parmesan, truffle, and sun-dried tomatoes. The atmosphere isn’t exactly buzzing, but the food more than makes up for it.

Danieru, by Common, is small but serious. You’ll find touches here that you don’t get everywhere else—like grating wasabi tableside to order—and you feel taken care of at all times. We’re big fans of the excellent six-piece salmon and tuna nigiri set, and the crispy tempura-filled, salmon-topped rolls. The generously filled spicy chutoro roll is also a must, and know you’ll need another round of buttery hotate nigiri. There’s another, equally as good, location .

One of our favourite things to do in is visit this quiet little Japanese spot on Beauchamp Place. The inside-out rolls are all excellent, as are the ‘Chisou’ rolls. The soft shell crab and hot sake maki should 100% be on your table. As can be expected from the location, it’s not cheap but come in a small group, order a bunch of sushi rolls, some noodles, and the zesty horenso salad, and you can leave around £70 lighter.

If you’re near Great Portland Street—or even if you’re not—you should eat the sushi at this excellent Fitzrovia spot. It’s got what we like to call the holy grail of sushi: high-quality, affordable, and exciting. The sushi and sashimi are solid, and although the toppings can get a little theatrical, it doesn’t take away from the quality. The sushi sets start from £28 for 13 pieces, making it some of the best-value sushi in London, in one of the most informal, laid-back dining rooms.

Sachi is a Japanese restaurant set within the impressive, 1200-square-foot Pantechnicon building in Belgravia. It can feel serious at first, but once you’re seated, it’s a smooth succession of beautifully presented tuna usuzukuri followed by salmon sashimi that’s so gorgeously plated it could have its own social media following. This is a very cool, low-key sushi spot that should be on everyone's radar, but we’re kind of happy it’s not. The rooftop has a shorter version of the same menu, in a more loungey-bar-like room.

At Ikeda, there’s a personal note from Paul Simon by the toilets. There’s one from Steven Spielberg, too. Fergus Henderson says it’s one of his favourite restaurants in London. But those aren’t reasons to go to this casual, old-school Japanese spot in . Ikeda’s supreme assortments are. Each one comes with a mix of fatty to very fatty tuna, yellowtail, octopus, and more. It’s delicious, high-quality fish that melts away until you’re mourning it.

Nanahoshi doesn’t pride itself on fawning service. The little sushi bar in Soho takes an altogether more laid-back approach, as post-work diners and dates look fervently towards the sushi chef carefully making each piece of fish behind the counter, alone. Regulars—often seated at tables rather than at the bar—are more relaxed. They know it's worth the wait. Get the seven-piece omakase sashimi or know that uni, scallop, and otoro all stand out in the melting nigiri stakes.

Save for a handful of stalls facing out onto Camden Passage and a couple of outdoor tables, there’s nowhere to sit down at this shop run by a fish supplier. But Sushi Show is an excellent place to order sushi for a solo lunch or early evening dinner en route home. A piece of fatty tuna nigiri isn’t going to set you back like a Mayfair restaurant and it tastes as good—just order fresh rather than grabbing at the pre-made bits. And look out for the natto hosomaki too.

Ukiyo is a temaki bar in that’s one of our favourite places to pop into for a light lunch or dinner when we’re feeling overstimulated by the central London crowds. It’s hidden down Slingsby Place and although the atmosphere can feel a little stiff, once you’re handed a salmon and avocado crisp temaki from the friendly chef and take your first bite, it’ll hardly matter. Everything, whether it's the king California crab temaki or the seared salmon nigiri, is excellent.

Chef Endo, of , is behind Westbourne Grove spot Sumi, but it’s more down-to-earth than his eighth-floor omakase counter in White City (which is currently closed). Even with a small-ish a la carte menu of main dishes like mushroom gohan, and a sushi menu of nigiri, sashimi, and hand rolls, you can’t really go wrong. The nigiri is exceptional and if you’re not in the mood to spend £100+ on lunch, stick to the raw fish and steer clear of the ‘main’ section.

Kizana isn’t the kind of place that needs to impress with panoramic views or a DJ booth. This quiet Park Road spot keeps things simple: excellent sushi, laid-back dinners, and no one blinking twice whether you’re in Loro Piana or a post-spin class sweat. Specials like spicy tuna crispy rice should be ordered if they’re on, as should multiple hosomaki rolls, the black cod, and the beef truffle for good measure.

At this serious restaurant inside a Georgian townhouse, you’ll find their sushi counter shoehorned into what was once a hallway. As you might have guessed, it’s quite a snug situation, but it’s entirely worth squeezing into this spot for excellent sushi classics and fun modern creations. Expect spicy akami tuna rolls, the signature sea bass carpaccio, and a big bill.

If you like your sushi with a side of ‘the grandparents of this scallop like Beethoven and long walks on the beach’, then you’ll like Rai. It’s a serious omakase operation in , and everything here leans towards expensive and theatrical. If you don’t want to go all in for the omakase menu, the seven-course seasonal tasting menu changes monthly and will set you back £87 per person and includes a sashimi course.

A neighbourhood in South London has been named one of the least deprived areas in England

A neighbourhood in Bromley has been named one of the least deprived areas in England, according to new figures released today.

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The area of Petts Wood ranks among the 20 least deprived parts of the country in the latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) — the government’s official measure of poverty and inequality.

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It was the only London neighbourhoods to make the national top 20 list, placing Bromley alongside some of England’s wealthiest postcodes such as Harpenden in Hertfordshire and Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

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Petts Wood , known for its leafy streets, large detached houses and strong commuter links into central London, has long been considered one of the most desirable areas in the borough. The neighbourhood sits between Orpington and Chislehurst and is popular with families thanks to its high-performing schools, independent shops and easy access to green space such as Jubilee Country Park.

House prices in Petts Wood have an overall average of £674,600 over the last year, according to RightMove. (£663,189 is London average). The majority of properties sold in Petts Wood during the last year were semi-detached properties, selling for an average price of £710,487. Terraced properties sold for an average of £503,539, with detached properties fetching £986,229.

Overall, the historical sold prices in Petts Wood over the last year were 2% up on the previous year and similar to the 2021 peak of £676,838.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government calculated scores for each area based on analysis of income, employment, education, health, crime, housing and the state of the local environment.

The Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), released today, are regarded as the most definitive method for identifying disadvantaged and poverty-stricken areas in the country. It is the first time the figures have been updated since 2019, with the latest data reflecting the impact of Covid on local communities.

Deprivation rates are calculated separately in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so today’s data is for England only. In England, the scores are calculated for very small neighbourhoods known as LSOAs which have a population of around 1,500 people.

At the other end of the scale, the most impoverished area in England is in Nigel Farage’s constituency of Clacton in Essex, according to the same data. A neighbourhood in Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea, has been ranked with the highest deprivation score out of more than 33,750 small local areas nationwide, the official statistics have revealed.

The area in Clacton which had the lowest score is on the coast to the west of the town, and has the official name of Tendring 018A. Most residents there live in detached bungalows on a small estate called the Brooklands Estate. The area was also named as the most deprived part of the country when the rankings were last released in 2019.

Nigel Farage was elected as MP for Clacton at last year’s General Election, winning 46 per cent of the vote. It was the first time he had won a vote to become an MP after seven unsuccessful attempts at other constituencies around the country.

The five next most deprived areas of the country are all in Blackpool. In second place is around Talbot Square in Central Blackpool, followed by the area opposite the central pier.

The area covering the South Promenade is next, followed by an area that includes the guest houses along Palatine Road, and then the High Street area by the train station.

Part of the Broomgrove area of Hastings is next, followed by two more parts of Blackpool (North Shore and North East Centre) and the part of central Rotherham completing the top 10.

With so many neighbourhoods in the top 10, it’s perhaps no surprise that Blackpool is the most deprived local authority in England.

Its neighbourhoods have the highest average IMD scores of any council area in the country. That’s followed by Middlesbrough, Burnley, Manchester and Birmingham. The least deprived parts of England are to be found in St Albans.

One area of Harpenden Town – around Maple Road and Park Avenue – is the least deprived in the country.

The Dalkeith Road area of the town’s Harpenden East neighbourhood is the next least deprived part of England. That’s followed by St Albans’ Marshalswick area and the Wood End and Roundwood area of Harpenden North.

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