Hertford presents an excellent mix of new homes with commuter appeal

Hertford is a very attractive county town with a conservation area at its heart, surrounded by greenbelt and threaded with the Rivers Beane, Lea and Mimram.  

In the 1800s, Hertfordshire was the main corn-producing county and it was via the wharf on the River Lea at Hertford that farmers were able to send crops down to London. The local ford was incorporated into the name of the county town in recognition of its importance. Commuters can easily access London in under an hour via one of two stations – Hertford North with trains to Moorgate and Kings Cross, or Liverpool Street from Hertford East both providing interconnections with the Victoria Line tube.

A monthly season ticket to London Liverpool Street costs £258.90 from Hertford East (£2,696 annually) with the fastest journey time of 51 minutes. Trains to London Moorgate from Hertford North take 44 minutes (£261.20 monthly, £2,720 annually); Finsbury Park takes 28 minutes (£237.40 monthly, £2,472 annually); Hertford East to Seven Sisters takes 34 minutes (£236.60 monthly, £2,464 annually). Herford North to Stevenage takes 11 minutes (£137.50 monthly, £1,432 annually).

Hertford is just 38 miles (1hr 23 mins) from London via the M1. London Heathrow is 40 miles or 50 minutes by car, London Stansted is 22 miles (37 mins), Luton Airport is around 20 miles (34 mins), Gatwick Airport is 75 miles (1hr 25 mins). Welwyn Garden City is around seven miles, St Alban’s 14 miles.

Many young professionals and retirees live in the narrow streets of period cottages in the roads around the two stations or along the riverside. The former Christ’s Hospital in the town centre is a popular apartment conversion. Families tend to live in large properties on the edge of Hertford or in the many surrounding villages.

The town benefits from over 200 shops with a mixture of high street chain stores, long-standing specialist and independent shops, restaurants and banks. Bircherley Green Shopping Centre includes a multi-storey car park and bus station. Plans are being prepared for its redevelopment to build 70 flats, a Premier Inn and a rejuvenated riverfront. A farmers’ market is held once a month. Supermarkets included Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer and Tesco. A retail centre within walking distance of the town has stores including Matalan, Wickes and Pets At Home. The Hertford County Hospital is also in the town centre.

Hertford Castle, the world's oldest Quaker Meeting House, Hertford Museum and nearby Hatfield House, are local attractions. Hertford Town Council organises the annual fun day at Hertford Castle, music and garden festival and a Christmas Gala. Castle Hall is home to Hertford Theatre with a wide variety of productions and includes a cinema, gallery space and café bar.

Residents are spoilt for choice with the number of groups to join including drama, choral, art societies and a symphony orchestra. Sports fan have a cricket and canoe club, Hertford Football Club, Rugby Club and fishing. Local parks include Panshanger and Balls Park.

State and private schools are good and attract families to the area. Primaries include Abel Smith, St Andrews CofE, Morgans and Mill Mead. Secondary schools include Richard Hale, the science college for boys, Simon Balle primary and secondary co-educational school and Sele co-educational secondary is a specialist centre for sport. Haileybury College is one of the leading co-educational private day and boarding schools in England.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in Hertford:

‘The Fitzroy’ at Priory Gate (Redrow Homes) - This three-storey, four-bedroom home has impressive proportions with a ground floor open-plan kitchen/dining area and separate lounge on the first floor, along with an ensuite bedroom two. The remaining three-bedrooms, including the impressive master suite, are located on the second floor with the family bathroom. Priced at £699,995. Find out more about Priory Gate from Redrow Homes	​
Hertford Retirement and Assisted Living (McCarthy & Stone) – Two sister development’s are under construction from the UK’s leading retirement homes developer, one with basic services available (minimum age 60), the other with a higher level of care and services on offer (minimum age 70). The one- and two-bedroom flats feature an intruder alarm and camera entry system, on-site car park, landscaped garden and overnight visitors guest room. There is lift access to all floors and a mobility scooter charging room.  Prices on application. Find out more about Hertford Retirement Living from McCarthy & Stone	​​
Carriage Court (Go Homes) - An historical conversion of the Georgian showroom and coachworks of Henry McMullen is a superb collection of four-bedroom townhouses in the heart of Hertford with easy access to both Hertford North and Hertford East stations along with the town centre and local schools. Prices from £545,000. More details from www.go-homes.co.uk ; 0844 800 3678
Canterbury Park (David Wilson Homes) - This collection of four- and five-bedroom homes in the village of High Cross is five miles from Hertford. Each home has been designed around family living with an excellent range of schools nearby and as easy commute by train to London. Prices from £499,950. Find out more about current David Wilson Homes developments	​
Wilshere Park (Linden Homes) – Just six miles from Hertford in Welwyn are these new three- and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and townhouses are designed with the surrounding woodland environment in mind. Help to Buy, Assisted Deposit and Part Exchange available. Prices from £600,000. Find out more about Wilshere Park from Linden Homes	​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​