Upgraded trains improve London - Hitchin commute journey
Hitchin has a population of around 30,000 and often makes it into the top 10 best places to live boasting a traditional market town within easy reach of London. Savills recorded an annual price increase of 3.1% in 2015 for locations in an outer commute to London.
Journey times into London Kings Cross from Hitchin take just 28 minutes on a fast train and a number of new developments are a short drive from the station.
The old part of the Hitchin retains its tree-lined narrow streets with many fine Tudor and Georgian buildings and independent shops and restaurants radiating from the medieval market square and leading down to the charming River Hiz frontage. Hitchin has its own department store, Hawkins of Hitchin, which opened in 1863 and there is large traditional market three times a week. The town has plenty of open spaces, two theatres and sports facilities include a swimming pool and leisure centre. Several golf courses are within easy reach and the famous Hitchin Lavender fields are open to the public between May and September.
Good schools are just one of the reasons that families relocate from London to the Hitchin area. There are three good state secondary schools, Hitchin Boys and Hitchin Girls and The Priory School, a co-educational comprehensive. Highly regarded private schools serving Hitchin include St Christopher, Kingshott and Princess Helena College. North Hertfordshire College in the town offers A-levels, Higher Education and apprenticeship courses.
A monthly season ticket to London costs £359.10 from Hitchin (£3,740 annually) with the fastest journey time between Hitchin and London Kings Cross, 28 minutes and the average journey time just 37 minutes. Trains to Cambridge take 46 minutes (£205.10 monthly, annually £2,136), Stevenage takes five minutes (£71.50 monthly, annually £744) and Peterborough 45 minutes (£270 monthly, annually £2,820).
Hitchin is well connected to the road network being 10 miles from the M1 and three miles from the A1(M) the main routes north and south. The A1(M) connects with J23 of the M25 at Potters Bar. Luton Airport is around 10 miles away.
The North Hertfordshire district council’s Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan aims to support growth of new and existing businesses in the area and there are plans for 10,700 new homes to be built over the next 15 years to meet local demand.
New homes for sale in and around Hitchin now or coming soon:
| Madden Gardens (Barratt Homes) – Situated a few miles north of Hitchin this family-friendly development is only 28 minutes from London’s Kings Cross by rail yet surrounded by green open spaces. Awarded the prestigious Homes For Life Award, only four-bedroom semi- and detached homes are available. Prices start from £384,950. Find out more about Madden Gardens from Barratt Homes |  |
| Astonia Lodge (Churchill Retirement Living) – A stylish development of just 38 one- and two- bedroom apartments from this award-winning developer featuring energy-efficient heating and a 24-hour Careline support system. A short walk to Stevenage town centre, just five minutes to Hitchin by train and close to several parks. Prices on application. Find out more about Astonia Lodge from Churchill Retirement Living |  |
| Heritage Gardens (Croudace Homes) – Just over three miles from Hitchin itself this superb development of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes are set in an idyllic location at the heart of rolling countryside. Perfect for commuting to London in just 28 minutes, the M1 and A5 are a 20-minute drive. Prices start from £357,500. For more information visit www.croudacehomes.co.uk ; 01462 410710 |  |
| Essex Close (NKJ Enterprises) – An exclusive development of just five executive, five-bedroom homes built to an extremely high specification with two en suite bedrooms, garaging, parking and good sized gardens. Stevenage is just one mile away with fast trains to London in just 26 minutes. Prices start at £575,000. For more details go to www.country-properties.co.uk ; 01438 313393 |  |
The Paddocks (Taylor Wimpey) – A collection of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes set near to the Hertfordshire border close to the A1 and just 40 minutes by train to London from Arlesey Station. The towns of Hitchin and Letchworth with their shopping, schools and leisure facilities are within driving distance. Prices start from £306,000. For details visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk: 020 8236 3800 (or midlands 01926 516900) |  |