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 among 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-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/TheThreeCranes-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Three Cranes Turvey" class="wp-image-91692" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/TheThreeCranes-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/TheThreeCranes-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/TheThreeCranes.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Three Cranes</figcaption></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>, 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 at Pavenham</a> are all within easy reach. If it&#8217;s more cosmopolitan cuisine you prefer, Bedford 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 supermarkets, high street stores and boutiques. </p>



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



<p>For pampering, there&#8217;s the <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 get you up to scratch – <a href="https://www.adamwoodinfitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam Woodin Fitness</a>. Plus there&#8217;s a wellbeing studio, <a href="https://www.spacewithinstudio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Space Within</a>, which offers yoga, meditation and more, in nearby Astwood.  </p>



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



<p>This is a small village and there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in 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, a 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-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Turvey-house-1000x667.jpg" alt="Turvey House " class="wp-image-91685" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Turvey-house-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Turvey-house-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Turvey-house.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Turvey House</figcaption></figure>



<p>Turvey has a gorgeous Georgian-style manor house and grounds right in the heart of the village. Privately owned <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="https://greatousevalleytrust.org.uk/" 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 – which has five parts, each of 6-8 miles, taking in the pretty local countryside. You&#8217;ll also find the 144-acre <a href="https://hocp.co.uk/" 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. If it&#8217;s cinema, theatre and arts you&#8217;re looking for, nearby 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. It also has a 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 £330,000 for a semi or terrace in this pretty part of the world, while the average price for a detached des res is over £600,000. 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 an 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> and <a href="https://www.harroldpreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harrold Pre-school </a>are the most local and are both rated Good. So 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 tons more options in Bedford. </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, as are <a href="https://www.carltoncofeprimary.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carlton CofE School</a> and <a href="https://www.kempstonrural.beds.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kempston Rural Primary</a> in the neighbouring villages. <a href="https://www.newtonblossomvilleschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newton Blossomville CofE School</a> is rated Outstanding. </p>



<p>Secondary-wise, <a href="https://www.woottonupper.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wootton Upper School</a>, <a href="https://www.kempstonacademy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kempston Academy</a> and <a href="https://www.st-thomasmore.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Thomas More Catholic School</a> are all rated Good. 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>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bedfordschool.org.uk/" 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.polamschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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 commuter hub. </p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>


Turvey

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