Savills Portugal

Recently named as the top ‘small town’ in the UK according to Savills Research, Harpenden has plenty of character and charm that ticks lots of boxes with discerning homebuyers and renters.

Great pubs, restaurants and independent shops are complemented by excellent schools, fast rail links into the capital and a fine choice of high quality family housing.

In a semi-rural location amongst the rolling Hertfordshire countryside, the town has the feel of a large village – at the centre of which lies the 238-acre common.

A popular destination for people leaving London, the average house price sits at £766,000 according to Savills Research. Family housing in particular remains in high demand, especially properties close to the town or East Common.

Harpenden derives its name from its location on the slope of the Chiltern Hills – ‘Herpe dene’ meaning ‘the military path through the valley’.

Today it’s easy to see why the town continues to be the number one choice for so many would-be homeowners and tenants.

The excellent schools – both independent and state – are a huge selling point, as are the superb transport links. The M1, A1(M) and M25 are all close by, Luton Airport is just seven miles away and you can reach London St Pancras in under half an hour by train.

But it’s the thriving high street and sense of community that sets Harpenden apart.

The Harpenden Carnival, Highland Gathering and annual Food and Drink Festival are highlights of the town’s social calendar, while there are a number of successful sports clubs.

Harpenden Cricket Club has been playing on the common for more than 150 years, the football club recently celebrated its 130^th anniversary and Harpenden Rugby Club has been home to several players who have gone on to represent England including Maro Itoje, George Ford, Owen Farrell and Jack Singleton. Golf lovers also have the option to play at Aldwickbury Park Golf Club, Harpenden Common Golf Club and Harpenden Golf Course.

For those who enjoy a spot of retail therapy, the bustling high street is well served by plenty of independent shops and national chains, offering everything from ladies fashion and menswear through to books, gifts, jewellery and hardware. Particularly popular is Handmade In Harpenden, which won the British Made Award 2022 for best vegan fragrance and skincare company. There is also a vibrant farmers' market on the fourth Sunday of the month.

If wining and dining is more your style then there are several high quality eateries. Lussmans sustainable kitchen – an 18^th century former coach house that overlooks Leyton Green – is perfect for courtyard dining, while Bar Azita offers a fine selection of modern dishes.

Popular cafes include Brew and Cru and Cafe Aroma Mangal, while the Harpenden Arms and The White Horse in nearby Hatching Green are a good choice for pub goers.

For theatre, comedy and live music there’s also the Eric Morecambe Centre which opened in 2021 and is named after one of Harpenden’s most famous residents who lived in the town until his death in 1984.

A regular trail for walkers and cyclists meanwhile is the Nickey Line, a disused railway line between Harpenden and Hemel Hempstead that takes in Redbourn, St Albans and the Rothamsted Estate, a beautiful Grade I listed manor house set in acres of woodland and surrounding garden.

Batford Springs Local Nature Reserve is also an ideal spot for children to have a paddle during the summer months – with the River Lea and its rare chalk lined streams running through alongside reed fen, wet woodland, meadows and hedgerows.

With so much to offer it’s no surprise that Harpenden continues to be popular with buyers and renters alike – with its status as one of the UK’s leading towns well deserved.