WHY?

After a picture postcard rural village with a great pub and a unbelievably easy London commute? Then perhaps Henlow’s the one. This pretty spot (complete with 13th-century church) is well-connected, with Arlesey station just a stone’s throw away.

EAT

Did someone say pub crawl? There’s not one but three pubs in Henlow. The Crown (gastro with rooms) would be our go-to for a tasty high-end Sunday lunch and a good wine list. They also run special events such as taco and margarita nights. Plus there’s The Engineer’s Arms which hosts a gin festival, and The Five Bells which are both more trad pubs. The Koi Café is spot on for caffeine and brunch, plus you’ll find a chippy in the village, an Indian in Henlow Camp and a Chinese in Lower Stondon.

SHOP

For most things, you’ll be wanting to pop into Arlesey (3 miles) or Bedford (just over 10 miles), but there is a useful village shop, a pet shop, aquatics centre and dog groomer, as well as a gift shop, Tiger Eye and a professional baker’s The Henlow Baking Company, perfect for that birthday party centrepiece. You’ll find a Post Office, wine shop and pharmacy in Henlow Camp.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

You’ll find the nearest GP surgery in Lower Stondon as well as health centre in Shefford, nearby. As for beauty and self-care Champneys Henlow Grange is the biggie, a spa resort in a grand Georgian manor (on the former site of a Cistercian monastery). There you’ll find a pool, steam room and sauna, urban gym, cycle studio and mindfulness room, plus you can explore the grounds on foot or bike or play a game or two of tennis. As a local you may as well sign up for a membership!

In and near the village, you’ll find Will Brown Hair, beauty salon, Sarah Hendricks, and an aesthetics clinic, Amilyonaire, and Helen’s Reflexology for a more holistic approach, plus there’s a wellness and beauty hub in Arlesey, Waterloo Farm Wellness. Plus for those niggling aches and pains, there’s Evolve life Pain and Injury Clinic.

Talking fitness, check out Warrior HIIT at Henlow Bridge Lakes for functional fitness classes and PT, the 24 hr Vibes Gym and Tutum Yoga both in Shefford, and you’ll find fitness retreats, boot camps and a gym at Champneys.

COMMUNITY

There’s a good community vibe, with local events such as bonfire night and fireworks, Christmas tree lighting and national holiday celebrations. Henlow Park Pavillion is a hub of activity being a base for classes and community groups, from mum and baby music to karate, and there’s also football and cricket pitches there. You’ll find info about upcoming social and community events at the dedicated site, Henlow Events.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Follow the footpaths between Henlow and Arlesey and take in the majesty of grand Georgian house, Henlow Grange (Champneys). There are also gorgeous riverside rambles (find some local walks here) and the Henlow Bridge Lakes to discover, where you’ll find glamping, fishing, walking trails and a campsite. Walk the Millennium Meadow, through which the River Ivel flows, fed by the Barton Hills.

The kids will enjoy getting lost in Hoo Hill Maze, and you can get some garden inspo at the gorgeous Gotha Gardens at Pemborke Farm in nearby Ashwell. There’s also Stotfold Mill – a working watermill and nature reserve with a café and family events including an annual Steam festival with live music, which you can camp at. Plus, you can perfect your swing at Henlow Golf Club.

CULTURE

An 8 min drive away in Biggleswade is the Shuttleworth Collection – a collection of vintage aircraft based on the pretty Shuttleworth Estate amongst hundreds of acres of parkland. There are regular airshows and other events held there plus the Swiss Garden which plays host to theatre and musical performances in the summer months. And just 15 mins away is English Heritage Mansion and grounds, Wrest Park which you can explore and discover its history, or visit on one of the days it’s hosting a special family event.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

The average price for a property is Henlow is just under £450,000, with detached houses selling for just under £520,000 and terraces coming in around £330,000.

HOT PROPERTY

NURSERIES

There’s a pre-school at both Raynsford Church of England Academy and Derwent Primary School, plus Splat Day Nursery and Forest School on the Arlesey Road, The Woodlands Pre-School in Clifton, and Merry Poppets at Henlow Camp.

SCHOOLS

Raynsford Church of England Academy and Derwent Primary School (both rated Goodby Ofsted). While Henlow C of E Academy is all-through to 18. If it’s independents you’re after, there’s all-through girls’ school, St Francis’ College and all-through co-ed, St Christopher School, both in Letchworth.

BEST KEPT SECRET

There’s been an RAF base in Henlow since 1917, which contributed to the Battle of Britain by repairing damaged Hurricanes and has it has featured on screen, including in the 1964 film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, using aircraft from the Shuttleworth Collection, and the 1968 film Battle of Britain.

COMMUTE

You can get a train from Arlesey Station (a 5 min drive) to London St Pancras in just shy of 40 mins.

Featured image: Champneys Henlow Grange

View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.