Just think of this first. A quick growing hedge will carry on growing quickly and will need lots of trimming and maintenance. A slow growing box hedge will take time to grow but one trim per year and it will stay nice looking. Hight is important too. For a high hedge (over 6 ft)you might consider leylandii conifers. I know they have a bad press, but trimmed once a year they can be nice also.
The most commonly used laurel for hedges is the cherry laurel (prunus laurocerasus) which can eventually reach 15ft if not pruned hard. Any good nursery should be helpful (better than diy store garden depts I find) & may even sell them cheaper if you buy several.