Herts &amp; Beds


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



<p>This stunning village on the edge of the River Great Ouse has an almost Cotswold-y look with its yellow-tinged stone houses and just the same amount of appeal if you ask us, which is probably why Turvey is often found the top spots of the UK&#8217;s best villages lists. Want to know more? Read on. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EAT</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/2/2023/09/The-three-cranes-turvey.jpg" alt="The Three Cranes Turvey" class="wp-image-79721" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/The-three-cranes-turvey.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/The-three-cranes-turvey-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/The-three-cranes-turvey-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/The-three-cranes-turvey-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Pubs are the order of the day if it&#8217;s village life you&#8217;re after. There are two in the village itself, <a href="https://threefyshes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Three Fyshes</a> – a riverside dog-friendly country pub with afternoon teas, Sunday lunches and good pub grub – and <a href="https://www.thethreecranes.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Cranes</a> (pictured), with a modern restaurant and B&amp;B, serving locally sourced meat, vegan options and real ales. <a href="https://www.thebellinodell.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell, Odell</a>, <a href="https://www.theoakleyharrold.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Oakley Arms in Harrold</a>, as well as the <a href="https://royaloakcarlton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Oak Carlton</a> and <a href="https://www.thecockatpavenham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cock Pavenham</a> are all within easy reach. If it&#8217;s more cosmopolitan cuisine you prefer, Bedford town is just 7 miles away. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Turvey-shop-KHL.jpg" alt="The Corner Stores Turvey" class="wp-image-79723" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Turvey-shop-KHL.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Turvey-shop-KHL-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Turvey-shop-KHL-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Turvey-shop-KHL-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Corner Stores in Turvey</figcaption></figure>



<p>There are two quaint and traditional village shops for you daily essentials: the Corner Stores and Central Stores. You&#8217;ll have to travel into Bedford (or Olney in Bucks, which is a lovely spot with lots of indie shops) for your supermarkets, High Street stores and boutiques. </p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s no GP surgery in the village itself, you&#8217;ll have to venture to Cobbs Garden in Olney, Harrold Medical Practice or Bedford. For pampering, there&#8217;s <a href="https://beautybarnturvey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beauty Barn</a> just outside the village which offers facial and nail treatments. And Turvey has its own PT to help you up your exercise game, <a href="https://www.adamwoodinfitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam Woodin Fitness</a>. Plus there&#8217;s a wellbeing studio, The Space Within, which offers yoga, meditation and more, just outside the village too.  </p>



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



<p>Being a small village there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself into the local community. There&#8217;s a village <a href="https://turveyfc.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">football club</a> to get involved with, a <a href="https://turveyvillagehall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">village hall</a>, which provides a local hub for the likes of the local am-dram society, bowls club (don&#8217;t knock it &#8217;til you&#8217;ve tried it!) and other local groups and societies. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/Turvey-House-external_Fotor.jpg" alt="Turvey house" class="wp-image-74077" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/Turvey-House-external_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/Turvey-House-external_Fotor-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/06/Turvey-House-external_Fotor-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Turvey House</figcaption></figure>



<p>Turvey may best be known for its privately-owned Georgian style manor house and grounds right in the heart of the village. <a href="https://www.turveyhouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turvey House</a> hosts a limited programme of events, from outdoor theatre and screenings to seasonal fairs and festive family fun. It also hosts weddings and large private events and you can visit on select open days through spring/summer. </p>



<p>If you&#8217;re into walking, <a href="http://www.greatousevalleytrust.org.uk/index.php/great-ouse-valley-way" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ouse Valley Way</a> (from Syresham in Northants to the sea at King&#8217;s Lynn), passes right through the village, marking the start of the Bedfordshire section &#8211; which has 5 parts each of 6-8 miles, taking in the pretty local countryside. You&#8217;ll also find the 144 acre <a href="http://www.greatousevalleytrust.org.uk/index.php/great-ouse-valley-way" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harold Odell Country Park</a> (which has retained a Green Flag Award for the last 16 years) with its lakes, river meadows and Nature Reserve in easy reach. </p>



<p>Adrenaline junkies can get their fix at <a href="https://boxendpark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Box End Water Park</a>, a watersports centre with inflatables, a restaurant and campsite, just a 10 min drive. </p>



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



<p>Turvey has much historical significance, with its Saxon remains, All Saints Church dating back to 980AD, a <a href="http://www.turveyabbey.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grade II-listed abbey</a> and the village was recorded in the Domesday Book. Check out the <a href="https://www.turveyhistory.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turvey History Society</a> to learn more. But if it&#8217;s cinema, theatre and arts you&#8217;re looking for, Bedford has oodles to offer, from <a href="https://www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Home.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Higgins</a> museum and exhibition space in a former brewery, to <a href="https://www.theplacebedford.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Place Bedford</a> and <a href="https://www.quarrytheatre.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Quarry</a> with their packed performance programmes, as well as a Cineworld and Vue Cinema so you can catch all the big screen hits.</p>



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



<p>You&#8217;re looking at around £400,000 for a semi or terrace in this pretty part of the world, whilst the average price for a detached des res is over £550,000. Not bonkers money for a slice of village life but it may be a little out in the sticks for some. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Turvey-jacks-lane.jpg" alt="Stone house and garden" class="wp-image-83525" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Turvey-jacks-lane.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Turvey-jacks-lane-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Join the village people, this 4-bed character house has open fire and a west facing garden.  <a href="https://fitzjohnestates.co.uk/property/jacks-lane-turvey-mk43/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £725,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p><a href="https://turveypreschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turvey Pre-school Playgroup</a>, <a href="https://www.carltonpreschool.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carlton Pre-school</a> and <a href="https://www.harroldpreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harrold Pre-school </a>are the most local and are all rated Good, as is <a href="http://www.thealmondspreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Almonds Pre-school </a>in Bromham, while <a href="https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/cherry-trees-day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cherry Trees Day Nursery</a> in Cranfield is rated Outstanding. There&#8217;s also <a href="http://littlefishesbromham.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Fishes</a> in Bromham, plus tonnes more options in Bedford Town. </p>



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



<p>So much choice! <a href="https://www.turveyprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turvey Primary School</a> in the village is rated Good by Ofsted, while <a href="https://www.newtonblossomvilleschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newton Blossomville CofE School</a>, <a href="https://www.carltoncofeprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carlton CofE School</a> in the neighbouring villages, plus <a href="https://www.kempstonrural.beds.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kempston Rural Primary</a> are all rated Outstanding. Secondary-wise, <a href="https://www.woottonupper.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wootton Upper School</a> and <a href="https://www.kempstonacademy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kempston Academy</a> are both rated good, while <a href="https://www.st-thomasmore.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Thomas More Catholic School</a> is rated outstanding. And there&#8217;s a good clutch of independents in Bedford including <a href="https://www.bedmod.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Modern</a>, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bedford-girls-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Girls’ School</a>, <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bedford-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford School</a>, <a href="https://bedfordgreenacre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bedford Greenacre Independent School</a> as well as <a href="https://www.pilgrims-school.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pilgrims Pre-Prep</a> and <a href="https://www.polamschool.co.uk/">Polam</a> School.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Every August a pop-up campsite appears in the grounds of Turvey House, called <a href="https://wildcanvas.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Canvas</a>, with a mellow festival-style vibe, where friends and families can chill out, try paddleboarding on the river, enjoy some local food and listen to DJs round the campfire. </p>



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



<p>The nearest train station is in Bedford, which is 7 miles away, then it&#8217;s 50 – 60 mins on a direct train to London St Pancras . Not bad if you want to live in a quaint rural village, rather than a main commuter hub. </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 290 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Turvey

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