Living in Radlett | Places to live in Hertfordshire
Thinking of living in Radlett?
You want to live out of town, in an idyllic spot where country living also offers excellent transport connections. You also want great schools nearby and easy access to all the advantages the metropolis has to offer. Have you ever thought of moving to Radlett in Hertfordshire? Here we give a snapshot of what living in Radlett is like.
It’s a small village in the south of Hertfordshire – one of the most desirable of the Home Counties surrounding the outer suburbs of London. It’s a location that has long attracted a wealthier sector of the population including celebrities, and the large, comfortable, and well-appointed homes speak volumes about the high-end community of successful professionals.
What types of property are there in Radlett?
Homes in Radlett tend to be generous in proportions and many are surrounded by their own well-manicured grounds and gardens, some even featuring swimming pools, tennis courts and helipads.
But among the magnificent mansions, there is variety, too including original cottages, some older streets of Victorian villas and terraces, and even some semi-detached, pre-war houses. Plus, there are the more recent developments of exclusive, gated communities and luxury apartments
The mix of architectural styles helps to underline the fact that this is a community that has been around for quite some time – a history that predates even the Roman settlement of Britain.
Schools in Radlett
Befitting such a sought-after location, both public and private schools in and around Radlett maintain high standards of education.
Those living in Radlett who want to see their children start in the state sector, there is a wide choice of primary schools to provide that all-important introduction to early years schooling. If a move to the private sector becomes more appropriate a little later, then several nearby independent schools are highly rated.
Primary Schools in and around Radlett
- Newberries Primary School;
- Fair Field Junior School;
- Hertsmere Jewish Primary School;
- Cowley Hill School;
Secondary Schools in and around Radlett
- Parmiter’s School, Garston, near Watford – partially selective, co-educational, comprehensive secondary school;
- Queens’ School, Bushey – partially selective, co-educational academy specialising in science and sports;
- St Michael’s High School, Watford – co-educational secondary school and sixth form college;
Independent Schools near Radlett
- Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Elstree – one of the country’s leading independent schools for boys between 4 and 18 years of age;
- Immanuel College, Bushey – a private Jewish primary and secondary school for children aged 4 – 18 years old;
- Aldenham School, Elstree – probably one of the finest independent, co-educational boarding schools for children between 11 and 18 years of age within the capital’s catchment area; and
- The Purcell School for Young Musicians, Bushey – an independent school for budding musicians aged 10 to 18 (the oldest institution of its kind within the UK).
Green spaces in Radlett
There are more than 250 green spaces and areas for outdoor activities within Radlett itself and this wider region of Hertfordshire and northwest London.
With so many woodland walks, parks and other activities to choose from, those living in Radlett will be truly spoilt for choice.
Shenley Park
Shenley Park offers meadows, orchards and woodland walks as well as historic buildings. Their two-acre landscaped walled garden even has an Amphitheatre. This glorious Park offers a chance to be at one with nature and then afterwards, refreshments in its tea room.
Aldenham Country Park
This beautiful country park has 100 acres of sprawling countryside as well as farm visits and small animal petting for the youngsters. There is also a play facility for children and young people with special needs as well as a café – and even camping.
Other beautiful open spaces include Cassiobury Park, Bentley Priory Nature Reserve, Mill Hill Park, and Watford Fields.
Radlett transport links
Radlett lies just between St Albans and Borehamwood in the borough of Hertsmere and just within London’s major orbital motorway, the M25.
The settlement sits astride the ancient course of Watling Street – the Roman road that ran all the way from Canterbury in Kent, through London, to St Albans, across the Chiltern Hills, northwest to the Midlands, and on to its final destination at Chester.
For today’s inhabitants of Radlett those links continue to provide ease of access to London immediately to the southeast, the Midlands to the northeast, and the whole of the UK via the excellent network of motorways.
It’s not just by road. Frequent trains run from the railway station at Radlett to London’s St Pancras International – linking the capital not only to the remainder of the country’s rail network but European destinations such as Paris, Bruges, and Amsterdam.
Plus, there is a good choice of airports. Heathrow, Stansted and Luton are all within an hours’ drive.
Places to eat, drink and shop in Radlett
From premium pubs to fine dining restaurants, you will be spoilt for choice when you eat out in Radlett – or the surrounding area.
The international cuisine on offer means that those living in Radlett will have the pick of all that is best from practically any corner of the globe.
For example, along Radlett’s Watling Street, you can choose from a wide range of culinary delights including Italian, Chinese, fish and chips, and a Jewish delicatessen.
In keeping with its semi-rural location, the village offers charming, quintessentially English pubs. Comfortably laid back – occasionally rustic – cafés and tearooms also offer refreshments throughout the year.
The village boasts a post office, a convenience store, a pharmacy, and an “eco” store specialising in organic, vegetarian, and vegan produce.
If you want to visit shopping centres, then Watford – around a 15–20-minute drive away – has several.
Why move to Radlett?
If you are looking for a particularly comfortable life in a country setting that is still less than 25 miles from the centre of London, living in Radlett could be the place for you.
For all its large – and expensive – homes, Radlett retains a quaint and charming village atmosphere. The semi-rural atmosphere is preserved through the Metropolitan Green Belt (designed to prevent urban sprawl) that surrounds the community. Excellent schools are within easy reach.
As one of the best places to live in Hertfordshire, Radlett has established an enviable reputation as a place in which to enjoy a high-end, comfortable, semi-rural quality of life still close to the attractions of the nearby metropolis.
