Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>After a picture postcard rural village with a great pub and a unbelievably easy London commute? Then perhaps Henlow&#8217;s the one. This pretty spot (complete with 13th-century church) is well-connected, with Arlesey station just a stone’s throw away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/The-Crown-Henlow-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-85997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/The-Crown-Henlow-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/The-Crown-Henlow-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/The-Crown-Henlow.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Crown</figcaption></figure>



<p>Did someone say pub crawl? There&#8217;s not one but three pubs in Henlow. <a aria-label="The Crown (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.crownpub.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Crown</a> (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&#8217;s <a href="https://www.engineersarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Engineer&#8217;s Arms </a>which hosts a gin festival, and <a href="https://www.thefivebellshenlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Five Bells</a> which are both more trad pubs. <a href="https://www.koicafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Koi Café</a> is spot on for caffeine and brunch, plus you&#8217;ll find a chippy in the village, an Indian in Henlow Camp and a Chinese in Lower Stondon. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>For most things, you&#8217;ll be wanting to pop into Arlesey (3 miles) or Bedford (just over 10 miles), but there is a useful village shop, a <a href="https://www.animaltastic.net/henlow-store" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet shop</a>, aquatics centre and <a href="https://oaktreedogs.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog groomer</a>, as well as a gift shop, <a href="https://tigereyeuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiger Eye</a> and a professional baker&#8217;s <a aria-label="The Henlow Baking Company (opens in a new tab)" href="https://henlowbaking.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Henlow Baking Company</a>, perfect for that birthday party centrepiece. You&#8217;ll find a Post Office, wine shop and pharmacy in Henlow Camp.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/pool-at-champneys-henlow.jpg" alt="Pool at Champneys Henlow" class="wp-image-85994" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/pool-at-champneys-henlow.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/pool-at-champneys-henlow-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/pool-at-champneys-henlow-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Champneys Henlow Grange</figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll find the nearest GP surgery in Lower Stondon as well as health centre in Shefford, nearby. As for beauty and self-care <a href="https://www.champneys.com/spa-resorts/henlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champneys Henlow Grange</a> is the biggie, a spa resort in a grand Georgian manor (on the former site of a Cistercian monastery). There you&#8217;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!</p>



<p>In and near the village, you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.willbrownhair.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Will Brown Hair</a>, beauty salon, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahhendricksbeauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarah Hendricks</a>, and an aesthetics clinic, <a href="https://www.amilyonairecosmetics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amilyonaire</a>, and <a href="https://www.helensreflexology.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Helen&#8217;s Reflexology</a> for a more holistic approach, plus there&#8217;s a wellness and beauty hub in Arlesey, <a href="https://waterloofarmwellness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waterloo Farm Wellness</a>. Plus for those niggling aches and pains, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.evolvelife.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evolve life Pain and Injury Clinic</a>. </p>



<p>Talking fitness, check out <a href="https://warriorhiit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warrior HIIT</a> at Henlow Bridge Lakes for functional fitness classes and PT, the 24 hr <a href="https://www.vibesgym.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vibes Gym</a> and <a href="https://tutumyoga.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tutum Yoga</a> both in Shefford, and you&#8217;ll find fitness retreats, boot camps and a gym at <a href="https://www.champneys.com/retreats/fitness-retreats-and-boot-camps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Champneys</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a good community vibe, with local events such as bonfire night and fireworks, Christmas tree lighting and national holiday celebrations. <a href="https://henlow-pc.gov.uk/the-parish/the-pavilion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henlow Park Pavillion</a> is a hub of activity being a base for classes and community groups, from mum and baby music to karate, and there&#8217;s also football and cricket pitches there. You&#8217;ll find info about upcoming social and community events at the dedicated site, <a href="https://henlowevents.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henlow Events</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Stotfold-mill.jpg" alt="stofold mill Bedfordshire" class="wp-image-86003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Stotfold-mill.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Stotfold-mill-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Stotfold-mill-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stotfold mill</figcaption></figure>



<p>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 <a href="https://henlow-pc.gov.uk/the-parish/walks-around-henlow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local walks here</a>) and the <a href="https://www.henlowbridgelakes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henlow Bridge Lakes</a> to discover, where you&#8217;ll find glamping, fishing, walking trails and a campsite. Walk the <a href="https://bedfordshirewalks.co.uk/henlow-millennium-meadow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Millennium Meadow</a>, through which the River Ivel flows, fed by the Barton Hills. </p>



<p>The kids will enjoy getting lost in <a href="http://hoohillmaze.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hoo Hill Maze</a>, and you can get some garden inspo at the gorgeous <a href="https://gothagardens.square.site/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gotha Gardens</a> at Pemborke Farm in nearby Ashwell. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.stotfoldmill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stotfold Mill</a> – 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 <a href="https://henlowgolfclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henlow Golf Club</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CULTURE </h2>



<p>An 8 min drive away in Biggleswade is the <a aria-label="Shuttleworth Collection (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.shuttleworth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shuttleworth Collection</a> &#8211; 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, <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wrest-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wrest Park</a> which you can explore and discover its history, or visit on one of the days it&#8217;s hosting a special family event. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>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.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Henlow-Wellington-Evans.jpg" alt="Detached property in Henlow" class="wp-image-86211" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Henlow-Wellington-Evans.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Henlow-Wellington-Evans-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Henlow-Wellington-Evans-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The perfect blend of old and new, this 4-bed 18th century detached house has been fully renovated. <a href="https://wellingtonevans.co.uk/4-bedroom-house-for-sale-high-street-henlow-sg16-p478" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £750,000.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a pre-school at both <a href="https://www.raynsfordacademy.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raynsford Church of England Academy</a> and <a href="https://derwentlower.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Derwent Primary School</a>, plus <a href="https://www.splat.ltd/day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Splat Day Nursery and Forest School</a> on the Arlesey Road, <a href="https://www.thewoodlandspreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Woodlands Pre-School</a> in Clifton, and <a href="https://www.merrypoppets.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merry Poppets</a> at Henlow Camp. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.raynsfordacademy.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raynsford Church of England Academy</a> and <a href="https://derwentlower.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Derwent Primary School</a> (both rated Goodby Ofsted). While <a href="https://www.henlowacademy.co.uk/web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henlow C of E Academy</a> is all-through to 18. If it&#8217;s independents you&#8217;re after, there&#8217;s all-through girls&#8217; school, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-francis-college-letchworth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Francis&#8217; College</a> and all-through co-ed, <a aria-label="St Christopher School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-christopher-school-letchworth-herts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Christopher School</a>, both in Letchworth. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>There&#8217;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 <em>Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines</em>, using aircraft from the Shuttleworth Collection, and the 1968 film <em>Battle of Britain</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



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



<p>Featured image: Champneys Henlow Grange</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Henlow

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