Herts &amp; Beds


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



<p>Often described of a rural extension of London, affluent Berko has it all: A buzzing high street packed with boutiques and smart chains, a restaurant and bar offering to rival the capital&#8217;s chicest postcodes, as well as weekly markets, a picturesque canal and even a castle! Plus it&#8217;s an easy and direct commute into Euston. The catch? Well, it&#8217;s not cheap, but compared to London it&#8217;s a steal, especially when you throw in the proximity to the Chilterns and the acres of surrounding countryside to explore. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted.jpg" alt="The Highwayman berkhamsted" class="wp-image-85074" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/The-Highwayman-berkhamsted-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Highwayman</figcaption></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re spoilt for choice and could probably eat somewhere different every day of the month. My top picks for stylish dining are modern Turkish, <a aria-label="Tabure (opens in a new tab)" href="https://tabure.co.uk/contact-tabure-berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tabure</a>, elegant Italians, <a aria-label="Per Tutti (opens in a new tab)" href="https://pertuttirestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Per Tutti</a> and <a aria-label="Rosanna's (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.rosannas-restaurant.co.uk/berkhamsted" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rosanna&#8217;s</a> and smart Art Deco restaurant with modern European menus, <a aria-label="The Gatsby (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thegatsby.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gatsby</a>. For modern and sustainable seafood it&#8217;s got to be <a aria-label="Lussmanns (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.lussmanns.com/restaurants/berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lussmanns</a> at the Old Five Bells. </p>



<p>For something more casual, <a aria-label="Giggling Squid (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.gigglingsquid.com/restaurant/berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Giggling Squid</a> is always a winner for Thai food, and <a aria-label="The Olive Tree (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.olivetreeberko.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Olive Tree</a> is fabulous for Greek cuisine, <a aria-label="Zaza (opens in a new tab)" href="https://zaza.co.uk/restaurants/berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zaza</a> hits the spot for a tasty Italian lunch. Take your pick of pubs from along the canal (<a aria-label="The Rising Sun (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/risingsunpubberkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Rising Sun</a> or &#8216;The Riser&#8217; and <a href="https://www.boatberkhamsted.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Boat</a> are local favourites) and watch life on the water as you sip a chilled glass of rosé. On the High Street we love foodie pub, <a href="https://highwaymanberkhamsted.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Highwayman</a> and all-day family-friendly dining at <a href="https://www.kingsarmsberkhamsted.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kings Arms</a>. Go a little out of town and you can&#8217;t beat <a aria-label="The Alford Arms (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/alford-arms-frithsden/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Alford Arms</a> for gastropub fare. </p>



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



<p>Berkhamsted has just the right balance of stylish chains and locally run boutiques. Mint Velvet, Crew, Fatface and JoJo Maman Bebé sit side-by-side with high-end indie fashion stores including <a href="https://www.ameliefashion.co.uk/">Amelie</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Forge (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theforgeboutique.com/" target="_blank">The Forge</a>, <a href="https://www.muselifestyle.co.uk/">Muse Lifestyle</a> and <a href="https://www.purplemenswear.com/">Purple Menswear</a> for designer pieces. </p>



<p>And there are a good smattering of gift and interiors shops including <a aria-label="NumberTwenty (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/shop-with-us/number-twenty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NumberTwenty</a> run by the Hospice of St Francis, <a aria-label="&amp;Quirky (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.andquirky.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&amp;Quirky</a>, the Aladdin&#8217;s cave that is <a href="https://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/">Home &amp; Colonial</a>, furniture upcycling charity shop <a aria-label="Returned to Glory (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/shop-with-us/returned-to-glory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Returned to Glory</a> on the Northbridge Road estate, <a href="https://www.cookandbutler.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cook &amp; Butler</a> for sustainable and beautiful household goods, and the luxe <a href="https://www.tobiasoliverinteriors.com/">Tobias Oliver</a> if you&#8217;re looking to splash some cash. Plus there&#8217;s the indie <a href="https://theberkhamstedbookshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted Bookshop</a>. </p>



<p>Don&#8217;t miss the Wednesday and Saturday markets too, with fresh produce and gifts, plus there&#8217;s a farmer&#8217;s market on the third Sunday of every month. </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/2/2024/07/Cecily-day-spa-Berkhamsted.jpg" alt="Cecily day spa with nail bar and comfy seats" class="wp-image-85073" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cecily-day-spa-Berkhamsted.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cecily-day-spa-Berkhamsted-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/Cecily-day-spa-Berkhamsted-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cecily Day Spa</figcaption></figure>



<p>Whether it&#8217;s a massage or a new do, you&#8217;ll find it all at luxe day spa, <a href="https://www.cecilydayspa.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cecily</a> and adjoining blow dry bar, <a href="https://www.alchemyandi.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alchemy &amp; I</a> on the High Street. While The Wellness Hub on Lower Kings Road offers everything from massage and facials to physio as well as hypnotherapy, cryotherapy and vitamin drips. And there are more hairdressers than you can shake your GHDs at – a few to mention are <a href="https://openhairdressing.co.uk/berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open</a>, <a href="https://www.lukebensonsalon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Benson</a>, <a href="https://www.gorgeoussalons.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gorgeous</a> and <a href="https://www.theannexx.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Annexx</a>. Finally, check out <a href="https://www.yatta-studio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yatta Studio</a> for Pilates, Best Results Fitness for small group personal training and <a href="https://pipsbarn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pip&#8217;s Barn</a> in Little Gaddesdon (just outside Berkhamsted) for PT, sports massage and mat Pilates.  </p>



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



<p>You won&#8217;t find the tight small village style community here as Berkhamsted is a fairly sizeable town but there are plenty of ways to get involved in local life if you know where to look. There are local festivals all year round including <a href="https://bookfestival.berkofest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berko Book Fest</a> in November, a <a href="https://www.berkhamsted-chamber.co.uk/event/medieval-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medieval Festival</a> in the summer, while <a href="https://www.opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open Door</a>, a community café and arts space hosts loads of events, workshops and exhibitions as well as projects to get involved with. </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="991" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Ashridge-house-gardens.jpg" alt="Ashridge House" class="wp-image-77604" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Ashridge-house-gardens.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Ashridge-house-gardens-800x529.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Ashridge-house-gardens-1000x661.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Ashridge-house-gardens-795x525.jpg 795w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ashridge House</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the major draws of course are the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within which the town sits, so you&#8217;ll find walking trails galore, through fields, ridgeways and along canal towpaths. <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ashridge Estate</a> is a brilliant local National Trust site, with 5,000 acres of ancient woodlands, chalk downlands and open meadows to explore, and you can climb the Bridgewater Monument&#8217;s 172 steps for a bird&#8217;s eye view of the local area. Plus <a aria-label="Ashridge House (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/ashridge-house-berkhamsted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashridge House</a> is worth checking out for it&#8217;s gorgeous Italianate gardens and it opens its doors for special events throughout the year too. Plus you can roam the outer grounds for free. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</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/2/2023/08/The-Rex.jpg" alt="The rex art deco cinema" class="wp-image-79548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-Rex.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-Rex-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-Rex-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/The-Rex-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Rex</figcaption></figure>



<p>You can&#8217;t visit Berkhamsted without a trip to the 1930s <a href="https://therexberkhamsted.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rex Cinema</a>, with its plush red seating (book a table and enjoy some wine and cheese while you watch!) and programme of arthouse and blockbuster movies. <a href="https://vynearts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vyne Theatre</a> hosts a range of comedy, music and visiting productions as well as live arts screenings, or you can venture a little further to Hemel Hempstead&#8217;s <a href="https://oldtownhall.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Old Town Hall</a> for some big names.</p>



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



<p>Take a deep breath – you don&#8217;t get all this for nothing! – the average house price for the town is nearly £740,000. Terraces fetch over £570,000 on average, while for a semi you&#8217;re looking at nearly £665,000. For a detached property you&#8217;ll have to part with approx £1.2m. </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/Berkhamsted-Knight-Frank.jpg" alt="canal side house in Berkhamsted with Knight Frank" class="wp-image-86202" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Berkhamsted-Knight-Frank.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Berkhamsted-Knight-Frank-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Berkhamsted-Knight-Frank-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A waterside wonder, this unique 4-bed wharf house on the canal. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/castle-wharf-berkhamsted-herts-hp4/bcn012345348" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.995m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p><a href="https://www.stmore.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Nursery+Admissions&amp;pid=122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Thomas More</a> (which is Catholic), <a href="https://www.victoria.herts.sch.uk/Nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria C of E School</a> and <a href="https://westfieldprimary.herts.sch.uk/nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westfield Primary</a> all have pre-schools at their Ofsted Outstanding sites. As do Good primaries <a href="https://www.bridgewater.herts.sch.uk/applying-for-a-nursery-place/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bridgewater</a> and <a href="https://www.greenway.herts.sch.uk/category/learning/nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenway</a>. As for Independent nurseries, there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.berkhamsted.com/day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted School&#8217;s Day Nursery</a>, <a href="http://www.fledglingsnursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fledglings Nursery and Pre-School</a>, <a href="https://www.homefromhomekinder.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home from Home Kindergarten</a> and <a href="https://www.happydaysberkhamsted.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happy Days Pre-School</a>, which are all rated Good. </p>



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



<p>If you&#8217;re looking to go independent, Berkhamsted has got you covered. The Berkhamsted Schools group starts with the <a aria-label="Nursery and Pre-prep (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/berkhamsted-day-nursery-pre-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nursery and Pre-prep</a> which is just out of town, and continues the journey into the <a aria-label="Co-ed Prep (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/berkhamsted-prep-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">co-ed Prep</a>, <a aria-label="Senior Girls' or Boys' Schools and a Co-ed Sixth Form (opens in a new tab)" href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/berkhamsted-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senior Girls&#8217; and Boys&#8217; Schools and a co-ed Sixth Form</a>, which are all in town, with tonnes of shared facilities. </p>



<p>There are also three Ofsted Outstanding Infant and Primary Schools, including <a href="https://www.stmore.herts.sch.uk/">St Thomas More</a> (which is Catholic), <a href="https://www.victoria.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Victoria CofE School</a> and <a href="https://westfieldprimary.herts.sch.uk/">Westfield Primary</a>, two Good Primary Schools – <a href="https://www.bridgewater.herts.sch.uk/">Bridgewater</a> and <a href="https://www.greenway.herts.sch.uk/">Greenway</a> &#8211; with <a href="https://www.ashlyns.herts.sch.uk/">Ashlyns</a> being the town&#8217;s only (albeit very sizeable) Secondary, which a rich heritage that an independent would be proud of. </p>



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



<p>You might have spotted this in my intro (see how I dropped it in there?!) but <a aria-label="Berkhamsted has a castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berkhamsted-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted has a castle</a>. Yep, it&#8217;s true! Ok, so it&#8217;s a ruin, but it dates back to the 11th century, which is pretty cool, and it&#8217;s free to take a wander around, take a picnic and there are sometimes even events held there, such as outdoor theatre. </p>



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



<p>There are four trains per hour at peak times which take 30-40 mins direct to Euston from the town&#8217;s central train station. A no-brainer for those commuting to North or central London. </p>



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


Berkhamsted

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