Stanford-le-Hope is a town, former civil parish and Church of England parish situated in the county of Essex, England. Often known locally simply as Stanford, the town is within the unitary authority of Thurrock and located 23.8 miles (38.4 km) east of Charing Cross in London. In 1931 the parish had a population of 4311. Early modernist author Joseph Conrad lived in Stanford-le-Hope from 1896 to 1898. More recent notable figures would include author Emma Robinson and comedian Phill Jupitus.