Blackmore or Ashdon: Which Is Better Value?
Blackmore averages £700,000 against £675,000 in Ashdon, a gap of £25,000 or 4%. You would need £2,500 more deposit and about £132 a month more on a repayment mortgage at an assumed 5% over 25 years. Ashdon charges £11 more council tax at Band D.
Blackmore averages £700,000 against £675,000 in Ashdon, a gap of £25,000 or 4%. You would need £2,500 more deposit and about £132 a month more on a repayment mortgage at an assumed 5% over 25 years. Ashdon charges £11 more council tax at Band D.
Price and deposit
The headline gap is £25,000, or 4%. On a 10% deposit that is £2,500 more cash to find before you start. Detached homes average £775,000 against £775,000.
Blackmore against Ashdon
Town guides for each: Mortgage advice in Blackmore and Mortgage advice in Ashdon.
Schools and families
Ashdon holds its own on schools, with 1 graded Outstanding at their last graded Ofsted inspection (before September 2024) against 0 in Blackmore. Counting last graded Ofsted inspections (before September 2024), Blackmore has 1 school and Ashdon has 2 schools graded Good or better.
A strong catchment in the cheaper town can cost more than an average street in the dearer one. Compare catchments, not averages.
Running costs and getting to work
Band D council tax is £2,308 in Blackmore and £2,319 in Ashdon, a difference of £11 a year.
The honest verdict
Ashdon is cheaper to buy on these figures. Blackmore carries the higher price and, on this data, not the stronger school profile.
Neither is right in the abstract. If the deposit is your constraint, the £2,500 difference matters more than anything else here. If catchment is the constraint, price follows the school you need.
What each town is actually like
Price is one axis. These are the things people move for, and the things they find out afterwards.
Blackmore
In its favour- A picturesque, historic village
- St Laurence Church, Jericho & the green
- Green-belt countryside all around
- A strong village community & pubs
- Prices well above the national average
- No railway station in the village itself
- A car is genuinely useful here
- Larger period & country homes mean substantial lending
Best for Families ★★★★★
A village primary, a strong community, green-belt space and good secondaries and Brentwood School near by, ideal for family life.
Ashdon
In its favour- A pretty, unspoilt village
- Windmill, Guildhall & fine church
- Rolling chalk-country farmland
- A village primary & strong community
- Prices well above the national average
- No railway station, a car is essential
- London means driving to Audley End or Newport first
- Larger period & country homes mean substantial lending
Best for Families ★★★★☆
A village primary rated Good, an Outstanding secondary (Saffron Walden County High) within reach, a strong community and safe rural surroundings.
Blackmore and Ashdon, side by side
| Measure | Blackmore | Ashdon |
|---|---|---|
| Average property price | £700,000 | £675,000 |
| Average detached | £775,000 | £775,000 |
| 10% deposit | £70,000 | £67,500 |
| Illustrative monthly payment | £3,683 | £3,551 |
| Band D council tax | £2,308 | £2,319 |
| Outstanding rated schools | 0 | 1 |
| Good rated schools | 1 | 1 |
Local averages used for illustration. Confirm your own figures before acting.
Ask about Blackmore
Three details is all we need. You are told before anything is passed to a partner firm.
The introduction costs you nothing. If you go ahead, we may be paid a fee by the firm we introduce you to. There is no obligation.
Check broadband before you make an offer in Blackmore or Ashdon
Broadband speeds can vary street by street in Blackmore or Ashdon, so check the exact address before you commit. Ofcom's free checker shows which broadband speeds and mobile coverage are available at any UK property.
We can introduce you to a specialist who can combine your mobile, broadband and utilities into one bill. There's no fee for the introduction.
We don't provide these services ourselves. Switching household bills is not a regulated financial service, so FCA protections and the Financial Ombudsman do not apply. We'll only pass your details to the specialist if you ask us to. See our privacy notice.
Questions people ask
Is Blackmore or Ashdon cheaper?
Which has better schools?
Which is cheaper to run?
How do I check broadband speed at a property in Blackmore or Ashdon?
Read next
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.