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="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/TheGatsby1.jpg" alt="The Gatsby" class="wp-image-91602" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/TheGatsby1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/TheGatsby1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/TheGatsby1-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: The Gatsby</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 href="https://tabure.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tabure</a>; elegant Italian, <a aria-label="Per Tutti (opens in a new tab)" href="https://pertuttirestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Per Tutti</a>; and smart Art Deco restaurant with modern European menus, <a href="https://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. For a caffeine-fix, there&#8217;s<a href="https://www.dower-house.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Dower House Coffee</a>.</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, <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, and <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 an Italian lunch. For killer cocktails there&#8217;s <a href="https://no309berkhamsted.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No. 309</a>, or take your pick of pubs 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 the boats float past 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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amelie</a>, <a href="https://www.theforgeboutique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Forge</a>, <a href="https://www.muselifestyle.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopt0GNN1YunZ7CGIJ3KKQGT4OFlmP8Zsbl2RJEAkhuscMreCywk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muse Lifestyle</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/purplemenswear/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purple Menswear</a> for designer pieces. </p>



<p>And there are a good smattering of gift and interiors shops including <a href="https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/supporting-us/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> for interiors, the Aladdin&#8217;s cave that is <a href="https://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Home &amp; Colonial</a>, furniture upcycling charity shop <a href="https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/supporting-us/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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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">Photo: 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. <a href="https://regentsparkaesthetics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regents Park Aesthetics</a> is a top-notch medical aesthetic clinic while <a href="https://the-wellness-hub.co.uk/pages/physiotherapy?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=19647944154&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-s3Bo6GHjwMV45ZQBh3BkRj9EAAYASAAEgLkcPD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wellness Hub</a> on Lower Kings Road offers a range of services from physio to massage therapy. 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://savages.salon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savages</a>. Finally, check out <a href="https://www.yatta-studio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yatta Studio</a> for pilates, <a href="https://bestresultsfitness.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Results Fitness</a> 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 and 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="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Building.jpg" alt="Ashridge house" class="wp-image-91607" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Building.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Building-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/07/Building-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Ashridge House</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the major draws in Berkhamsted is the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within which the town sits, and 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. <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/2/2025/01/TheRexberkhamstead1.jpg" alt="The rex cinema" class="wp-image-88879" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/TheRexberkhamstead1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/TheRexberkhamstead1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/TheRexberkhamstead1-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: 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/2/2024/12/berkhamstead.jpg" alt="A 4-5 bed family home on 6.18 acres. On the market with Knight Frank for £2.5m." class="wp-image-87939" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/berkhamstead.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/berkhamstead-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/berkhamstead-1000x667.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 4-5 bed family home on 6.18 acres. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/new-road-northchurch-berkhamsted-hertfordshire-hp4/bcn012476357" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £2.5m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Good primaries with pre-schools include <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>. 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>. </p>



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



<p>There are two Primary Schools rated Good by Ofsted – <a href="https://www.bridgewater.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bridgewater</a> and <a href="https://www.greenway.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenway</a>. <a href="https://www.ashlyns.herts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashlyns</a> is the town&#8217;s only (albeit very sizeable) secondary, and it has a rich heritage that an independent would be proud of.</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking to go independent, Berkhamsted has got you covered. The Berkhamsted Schools group starts with the <a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/berkhamsted-day-nursery-pre-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted 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>



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



<p><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 have a wander around – take a picnic. There are sometimes 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&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>


Berkhamsted

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