Situated 20 miles north of London, Hertford can trace its roots back to the 10th century, when Anglo Saxon king Edward the Elder built a settlement on the River Lea.
Today it’s a thriving town with a medieval centre, a busy arts scene, decent schools, countryside all around and frequent trains into London from its two stations.
It must be doing something right as it was ranked the East of England’s fifth happiest place to live in Rightmove’s latest Happy At Home index, ahead of rival commuter hubs St Albans and Bishop’s Stortford, which also happen to be more expensive.
More than 350 local buildings are listed, including houses dating from the 15th century onwards, though the typical property is Victorian. The most aspirational addresses are in Bengeo, north of the centre and in South Hertford. Flats start from less than £200,000, three-bedroom terraces from around £400,000, and you will pay £1 million-plus for a substantial period house.
‘Hertford is super-popular with London buyers, who make up about 50 per cent of the total and are often moving up the A10 from areas such as Enfield,’ says John Noakes of estate agency William H Brown. ‘People don’t tend to leave once they have kids as the schools are so good.’
Vital statistics
Average house price: £512,198
Average rent: £1,943pcm
Council tax (Band D): £2,041.41
Commuting time to Zone 1: From 49 minutes from Hertford North to Moorgate or 51 minutes from Hertford East to Liverpool Street
Annual season ticket: From £4,200
Amenities: Chains and boutiques; lots of independent pubs, restaurants and cafes including Dinnio for pasta and pizza, Dirties Mexican and Old Siam for Thai food; weekly market and monthly street food and farmers’ markets; live music, club nights and comedy at the Corn Exchange; Hertford Theatre is being transformed into a major arts hub, due to open this autumn; classes and exhibitions at Courtyard Arts; events held throughout the year at Hertford Castle; Hartham Leisure Centre; Heritage trail
Open space: Balls Park, Hertford Heath Park, Panshanger Park
Schools: Majority judged as outstanding by Ofsted; the go-tos are Simon Balle all-through school (outstanding) and Abel Smith
Who lives there? First-time buyers and families
Famous faces: George Ezra grew up in Hertford
What’s new
Granary & Chapel, by Durkan, close to the town centre, is a mix of one and two-bedroom flats and three and four-bed houses on the site of a former mill. They have large windows, sleek kitchens and bathrooms, mirrored wardrobes in the main bedrooms and black ironmongery throughout. One-bed flats start from £317,500, three-bedroom houses from £755,000 and an open weekend’s taking place this Saturday and Sunday, when the new show home opens its doors.
Waterside development Lea Wharf, from Chase New Homes, has a similar warehouse-inspired vibe. The 98 one and two-bedroom flats are arranged around a central piazza and residents will have a concierge and roof garden, from £314,995.
Blakemore Manor on the western outskirts near Panshanger Park, consists of two, three and four-bedroom homes designed to minimise their impact on the environment. The first two phases, Sycamore Place and Birch Grove, are on the market and the third and final one, Cedar Green, launches this spring. Prices from £335,000 for a two-bed, two-bathroom flat to £635,000 for a four-bed, three-storey house.
More family houses are available at Cala’s Limsi Grove. They have highly energy-efficient boilers and appliances including a wine cooler, plus electric car charging points, from £834,950.
Take a look too at Bridge House Mews, a gated development of three and four-bed houses with garages and off-street parking, right by Hertford North station. The final few start at £725,000.
Go to SiteSales for more information
Property ladder
First rung: £190,000
This decent-sized, chain-free studio flat is on the ground floor of a small development in leafy Bengeo with lovely views, parking and a communal garden.
Step up: £325,000
Hertford North station is close to this two-bedroom end-of-terrace house which includes a through kitchen/living/dining room, a 50ft-plus garden and off-street parking.
Go to William H Brown for more info
Top rung: £1.6million
Buy this refurbished Edwardian house and you’ll be able to walk to both Hertford East and Hertford North stations. Has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an extended kitchen.
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