A "pretty special" village 40 minutes from Romford has been named one of the best places to live in Essex this year.
Stock has been recognised as one of the best places to live in the county as part of the Muddy Stilettos Top 300 Places to Live series.
The 2025 list placed Stock in seventh place when ranking Essex locations this year.
Muddy Stilettos said: "With an exclusive village vibe, Stock is pretty special.
"It’s got all the necessaries, like a primary school and hot property, but with enviable extras, such as gorgeous gastropubs and a fabulous brick windmill."
Muddy Stilettos highlighted a range of eateries from Italian cuisine at Cristi's Bar to The Hoop, which was a best destination pub finalist in the magazine's 2025 awards.
The Bear Inn and The Bakers Arms were also singled out as some of the village's top spots for food.
The high street "isn’t exactly a metropolis" according to Muddy Stilettos who suggest Chelmsford or Billericay for "major retail therapy".
Stock Village Shop is mentioned for essentials and the multi award-winning Stock Florist for the "freshest of flowers".
Stockbrook Farm Shop, with locally-sourced fruit and veg, eggs, bakery, butcher, biscuits and cheese, as well as alcohol is also recommended.
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Crondon Park golf club, stretching 6,800 yards from the back tees, was also highlighted in the report as a great spot for golfers.
A 15-minute car ride takes you to We Are Barleylands, a farm park filled with animals and offers of indoor and outdoor entertainment including goat yoga.
Swan Wood and Lake Meadows Park were suggested as top places for walking in Stock.
The Woodland Trust described Swan Wood as a place where "old blends nicely with new".
It is an ancient site with both a "distinctive and delightful" character.
Visitors can see the restored old pond home to all three species of newts and some may be able to spot dormice, badgers or bats.
Muddy Stilettos labelled Stock Windmill as the village's "best kept secret".
This is a five-storey Grade II listed mill, built around 1804, restored and now complete with several floors of machinery.
"Well worth a peek," said the lifestyle blog.
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The relatively high house prices were acknowledged in the report with an average price of £975,120, but "that’s to be expected when you see the houses and the village itself," according to Muddy Stilettos.
Detached properties sell for an average of £1.2 million, while semi-detached homes go for around £704,000.
Terraced properties fetch approximately £598,333.
The fact that Stock is in "prime commuter territory" also earned it a spot on the list.
The village is around a 40-minute drive from Romford and around 20-minutes from Chelmsford which was named the top spot to live in Essex.
Other Essex areas recognised by Muddy Stilettos included Saffron Walden, Maldon and Buckhurst Hill.
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