Essex is home to plenty of celebrities, from footballers to reality TV stars. One celebrity has recently skyrocketed to fame – and even mentions in one of her songs that she’s an Essex girl – and proud of it.
Charli XCX was already a household name, and the release of her sixth album, Brat, has created a TikTok dance craze around the world. But long before this, and her ‘I Love It’ Icona Pop days, she grew up in a tiny Essex hamlet.
Her real name is Charlotte Emma Aitchison, and she was born in Cambridge but raised in Start Hill, in Bishops Stortford. She is proud of her Essex roots, too, and in her recent song ‘Girl’ she says: “Forgot that inside the icon, there’s still a young girl from Essex.”
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Start Hill seems like an unlikely place to raise one of the biggest popstars today. There isn’t lots to do there, except an industrial business park, a fish & chips takeaway and and Esso garage.
The nearby Bishops Stortford is quite different, however. Here, you can enjoy the perfect balance of urban amenities and rural charm.
It’s said to be very family-friendly, with top-rated schools and a great variety of local shops. There’s lots of local boutiques, high-street retailers, and gourmet food options – all within an easy driving distance from Start Hill itself.
However, what Start Hill lacks actually inside the village, it makes up for in commuter value. Start Hill is located on the B1256 road to the east of the town of Bishop’s Stortford and junction 8 of the M11 motorway.
The A120 road passes to the north of Start Hill. It is about 3 miles away from London Stansted Airport and is the location of one of the National Express coach depots – making it a brilliant location to live if you travel often.