Best places to live in Hertfordshire

As one of the most popular home counties, with so many locations that offer more than simply an easy commute, you may need guidance when searching for the best places to live in Hertfordshire.

On London’s outskirts with good transport links to the North and a choice of nearby airports, Hertfordshire is very well-connected. Luton, Stansted, and London Heathrow are all typically under an hour’s drive away.

But while it offers excellent transport links, Hertfordshire also has stunning countryside, history, idyllic chocolate box villages, and lively towns. 

If you are looking for the best places to live in Hertfordshire, here are some suggestions to factor into your property search, including some hidden gems you may not be aware of.

Redbourn

Redbourn blends village charm with excellent transport links. Approximately 30 miles from London and close to the M1, it appeals to commuters while maintaining a strong community spirit.

The village hosts events like the Redbourn Village Festival and offers a picturesque common, sports facilities, and a thriving high street.

Families benefit from well-regarded schools. These include Redbourn Primary and St Luke’s. There are excellent secondary options in nearby St Albans, such as Beaumont School, Loreto College, and St Albans High School for Girls.

Luton Airport is just nine miles away, adding further convenience.

St Albans

St Albans is a top London commuter hub, offering fast train links to St Pancras in as little as 21 minutes. The city’s excellent transport connections contribute to its ranking as one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire.

Beyond convenience, St Albans boasts a thriving arts scene, extensive parkland, and a vibrant centre with shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Its property market is highly competitive, driven by demand for its outstanding schools. Beaumont School, Loreto College, and St Albans High School for Girls are prime examples. Well connected by the M1 and M25, it is also within easy reach of Heathrow and Luton airports.

Bushey

Bushey is another well-connected town in Hertfordshire. Just 20 minutes by train from London Euston and with easy access to the M1 and M25, commuting is convenient.

The town has a strong community feel, with independent shops, cafés, and green spaces including the expansive King George Recreation Ground, contributing to it being one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire for families.

The town is also home to well-regarded schools, such as Queens’ School and St Margaret’s, a respected independent school. The property market in Bushey is competitive. Demand is high from those looking for good transport links and local amenities while living outside central London.

Tring

Tring is a small market town in the Chiltern Hills, popular with families for its excellent schools and strong transport links. The town centre features independent shops, restaurants, and pubs.

The Chiltern Hills offer a vast expanse of rolling countryside, woodlands, and scenic trails for recreation and exploration.

St Bartholomew’s Primary in nearby Wigginton and Tring School, with a large sixth form, are well-regarded. Berkhamsted School, offering independent education from nursery to sixth form, is nearby.

Tring is situated on the A41, around 38 miles from London and 20 minutes from Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead. Tring station provides regular services to London Euston, with journey times of approximately 40-50 minutes.

Harpenden

Harpenden is a highly desirable town, with no fewer than 116 of its streets featuring exclusive homes. But it’s not all big houses! Natural open areas are also in abundance in and around the town.

Harpenden’s Rothamsted Park provides sporting and play facilities as well as nature trails across its 56 acres.

This combination of exclusivity and an idyllic natural environment places Harpenden high on the list of best places to live in Hertfordshire.

There are several well-regarded primary and secondary schools, including St George’s, Sir John Lawes, and Roundwood Park. Independent options include The King’s School and Aldwickbury School for boys.

Harpenden sits between St Albans and Luton, with easy access to the M1. The town’s mainline station provides frequent services to London St Pancras. Journey times range from around 25 to 40 minutes.

Chorleywood

Chorleywood boasts an area of outstanding natural beauty, with Chorleywood Common providing a vast area for leisure activities and community events.

The village centre has a range of local shops, cafés, and amenities creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Primary education includes Chorleywood Primary School, while St Clement Danes School is a well-regarded secondary option.

The village benefits from a London Underground station on the Metropolitan Line, offering direct services to central London. Road connections are strong, with easy access to the M25, and Heathrow Airport is approximately 15 miles away.

Rickmansworth

Rickmansworth is another popular town considered among the best places to live in Hertfordshire. Within the M25, it offers a mix of spacious homes and green surroundings.

Rickmansworth residents benefit from several parks and nature reserves providing ample opportunities for outdoor pursuits.

The town has highly rated schools, including St Clement Danes for secondary education and The Royal Masonic School for Girls, a well-regarded independent option.

There are direct trains from Rickmansworth to London Marylebone in under 30 minutes and Metropolitan Line services on the Underground. Road connections include the A412 to Watford and easy access to the M1, M25, and M40. Central London is around 30 miles away by car.

Chiswell Green

Chiswell Green is a charming village just south of St Albans, offering a mix of amenities and green spaces. It has a strong community feel, with local shops, pubs, and nearby Verulamium Park providing open areas for recreation.

Well-regarded schools in the area include Killigrew Primary and Marlborough Science Academy for secondary education.

Conveniently located near the M1 and M25, Chiswell Green provides easy access to London and surrounding areas. St Albans station, just a short drive away, offers frequent rail services to London St Pancras, making it a popular choice for commuters.

Abbots Langley and Kings Langley

Abbots Langley and Kings Langley offer village living with easy access to larger towns and London. Both have a strong community feel, local shops, traditional pubs, and a rich history, with Kings Langley known for its historic significance, including the discovery of a Roman villa.

Well-regarded schools include Abbots Langley School, Tanners Wood School, and Kings Langley School for secondary education.

The M25 (Junction 20) and M1 are nearby, providing strong road connections. Kings Langley station offers direct trains to London Euston in typically around 30 minutes, making the area popular with commuters.

These villages complement each other perfectly and are among the best places to live in Hertfordshire for their combination of rural charm and connectivity to urban centres.

Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted is a highly sought-after market town in West Hertfordshire, previously voted the best place to live in the South East.

Schools include Victoria Church of England Infant, and Westfield Primary, with the well-regarded Ashlyns School providing secondary education. Berkhamsted School offers independent education from nursery to sixth form.

Berkhamsted combines historic charm with independent shops, restaurants, and excellent amenities.

The town sits on the A41, with connections to the M1 and M25, and is around 40 miles from central London. Berkhamsted station provides frequent services to London Euston, with journey times of approximately 40 minutes.

Moor Park

Moor Park is an exclusive residential area known for its private estates, spacious homes, and proximity to green areas including the Moor Park Golf Club. The area is one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire, offering a peaceful setting while maintaining excellent transport links.

Well-regarded schools nearby include Merchant Taylors’ School, a leading independent school for boys, and St Helen’s School for girls. Moor Park station provides direct Underground services to central London via the Metropolitan Line.

Convenient road connections include the M25 and M1, with Heathrow Airport around 14 miles away, making it a popular choice for professionals and families seeking both privacy and accessibility.

Bovingdon

Bovingdon is a well-connected village with a strong community feel. It is known for events such as Bovingdon Market and the annual village carnival.

The surrounding picturesque countryside, including Bovingdon Green, makes it an idyllic place to live.

Bovingdon Primary Academy is a highly regarded school in the village. Secondary options include St Clement Danes School and The Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth.

The village benefits from easy access to the M25 and M1, providing strong road links to London and beyond. Nearby Hemel Hempstead and Chesham offer convenient rail connections, making Bovingdon a popular choice for those seeking a balance between rural and urban living.

Radlett

Radlett is another highly desirable place to live. Located within the perimeter of the M25 motorway, it offers an ideal mix of rural charm and accessibility. Coupled with the ready access to some of the finest schools – from infant years to sixth-form – Radlett is one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire for those looking for a community in which to be based for both work and family life.

Among the excellent schooling options in the area are Beaumont School in St Albans, and the prestigious Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ and Girls’ Schools in nearby Borehamwood.

Radlett has strong transport links, positioned on the historic Watling Street and just two miles from the M1. The town’s mainline station provides frequent services to London St Pancras in around 30 minutes, with direct connections to Gatwick and Luton airports, making it a convenient base for commuters.

Watford

The lively town of Watford offers a fast commute to central London, making it another convenient choice for professionals.

Watford’s parks, shopping centres, and an array of dining and entertainment options contribute to a fulfilling living experience.

It is also a popular location for families, with highly regarded schools. These include Cherry Tree Primary, Nascot Wood Junior, and Watford Grammar Schools for Boys and Girls.

Just 4.5 miles from the M1, with Heathrow and Luton airports nearby, it is well connected. Watford Junction provides frequent trains to London Euston, with journey times of 20-30 minutes.

Hitchin

Hitchin offers semi-rural living with excellent connectivity, and is considered among the best places to live in Hertfordshire. The town has a strong community spirit and a Business Improvement District supporting local enterprise.

Highly rated schools include St Andrew’s, William Ransom, and Samuel Lucas for primary education. Hitchin Boys’ and Hitchin Girls’ Schools providing well-regarded secondary options.

Hitchin is well connected via the A1(M), with Stevenage just 20 minutes away. The town’s railway station provides frequent services to London St Pancras in around 45 minutes.

Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead offers swift access to London in an environment that is peaceful and culturally rich with a community-oriented ambiance.

Beyond its convenience as a commuter town, Hemel Hempstead’s parks, varied shopping centres, and a diverse range of dining and leisure activities add to its appeal.

The town has numerous schools, including the highly regarded Belswains and Boxmoor Primary Schools, and The Hemel Hempstead School for secondary education.

The town is conveniently located around five miles from the M1, with London approximately 26 miles away. Luton and Heathrow airports are within easy reach. Hemel Hempstead railway station offers frequent services to London Euston. With journey times of around 30-40 minutes, it’s a popular choice for those seeking both convenience and a well-served local environment.

Bishop’s Stortford

Bishop’s Stortford is a popular market town, regularly ranked among the best places to live in the South East due to its strong schools, high earnings, and quality of life.

Well-regarded primary schools include Northgate, St Joseph’s Catholic, and Windhill21, while several secondary schools serve the area. Additionally, Bishop’s Stortford College offers independent education from ages 4 to 18.

The town sits on the M11 with easy access to the A1(M). Bishop’s Stortford station provides frequent services to London Liverpool Street, with journey times averaging around 45 minutes.

Royston

In the northern part of Hertfordshire, Royston lies so close to Cambridgeshire that the county boundary once ran through the town’s centre. It was built by the Romans in the early 1st century AD and ran between London, York, and the even older, prehistoric Icknield Way (from the Thames Valley to East Anglia).

The countryside around Royston offers unspoiled landscapes and excellent walking routes.

With the addition of a manageable commute to Central London and the town’s excellent schooling options, it’s little wonder that Royston is considered one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire.

Schools include St Mary Roman Catholic Primary and King James Academy for secondary education. The Perse School, a top-ranking independent school, is nearby in Cambridge.

Royston is situated between the A1(M) and M11, with Cambridge 13 miles away and central London around 47 miles to the south. The town’s mainline station provides frequent services to London King’s Cross and St Pancras in about an hour.

Hertfordshire’s hidden Gems

In addition to the many popular places already mentioned, there are numerous smaller communities that our experts would highly recommend considering for your property search.

Bayford

Bayford is an ancient settlement – it is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 by the name of Begesford.

Today, it is ideally connected to the major road networks, just 28 miles from Central London, and less than an hour’s commute by train.

Bayford offers a desirable mix of tranquil village life, a choice of quality properties, a village school and a convenient train service right on your doorstep.

Aldbury

Aldbury has become one of the County’s most exclusive and desirable postcodes.

It has a history – there are signs of settlement dating back to the 10th century BC. The village was certainly in existence by the time of the Norman Conquest in the early 11th century AD.

It remains a quaint, picturesque, and quintessentially English hamlet, with the obligatory village shop and a couple of pubs.

Little Gaddesden

The village of Little Gaddesden has been described as one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire for commuters.

Although now in Hertfordshire, the parish of Little Gaddesden was formerly in Buckinghamshire and continues to include the hamlets of Ashridge, Hudnall, and part of Ringshall.

The scenic beauty of Little Gaddesden has not been lost on the movie industry – the immediately surrounding countryside has featured in many films.

Flaunden

Flaunden is a peaceful village on the Hertfordshire-Buckinghamshire border, known for its charming rural setting and historic character. With origins dating back centuries, it retains a traditional feel, complete with a village hall and a popular country pub.

With a strong sense of community and the surrounding countryside offering loads of opportunities for scenic walks, Flaunden is an appealing choice for those seeking tranquillity while remaining within easy reach of larger towns.

Barkway

Barkway is a historic village in North Hertfordshire, featuring attractive period homes and a rich heritage dating back to the Domesday Book. The village has a close-knit community, with a local pub and access to open countryside.

Its rural charm and proximity to market towns such as Royston make it an appealing option for those looking for village life with essential amenities nearby.

Cottered

Cottered is a picturesque village in East Hertfordshire comprising thatched cottages, quiet lanes, and countryside views. Despite its rural feel, it has a welcoming community and a well-regarded local pub.

The village’s charm and setting within rolling farmland make it a sought-after location for those looking to enjoy a peaceful way of life while still being well connected to nearby towns.

The Ayots

The Ayots are a group of small villages—Ayot St Lawrence, Ayot St Peter, and Ayot Green—set in the Hertfordshire countryside. Known for their historic significance and scenic beauty, they offer a quiet and idyllic rural lifestyle.

Ayot St Lawrence was home to playwright George Bernard Shaw, and Shaw’s Corner remains a key attraction. With their secluded setting yet good accessibility, The Ayots provide a balance of heritage and countryside living.

Best places to live in Hertfordshire

As property finders, we often assist clients in deciding exactly where it is they would like to live.

Our buying agents expertly navigate the best places to live in Hertfordshire in order to find the perfect location for a home.

If you’re planning on moving home and would like to discuss your search further, please contact us for a no obligation discussion to learn more about our services.