In her continued pursuit of the best places for smallholder living, Sue Field explores Hertfordshire in the Home Counties.
Whilst perusing the possibilities in this county with its easy access to London and most of the UK, it became apparent that property and land can command a high price. However, for those of you who wish to enjoy the benefits of our capital city as well as the beauty and peace of the countryside, Hertfordshire appears to have it all.
FAMOUS NEIGHBOURS?
So here is just a little taster of what is available in Hertfordshire and whilst you may no longer have the Beckhams as neighbours, there are certainly some very high profile people who call the county home. You may bump into Bradley Walsh, Alesha Dixon or even Lewis Hamilton whilst George Ezra, Matt Baker, Matt Whitlock and Simon Cowell all have strong connections with the county.
PLACES TO VISIT IN HERTFORDSHIRE
Hatfield House, where Elizabeth I spent her youth, is one of many attractions in the county. With its deer park and dinosaur trail, it makes a great day out for all the family. Knebworth House, avenue for the Festival and many iconic music performances over the years, sits in the north of the county. Henry Moore’s 70 acre sculpture garden is at at Much Hadham. Frogmore Paper Mill is a hidden gem where you can follow your guide on a trail through the birthplace of paper’s industrial revolution and even set sail along the river. Yet the county is still very rural with plenty of farms, village greens and leafy lanes. The huge forest of Hatfield provides biodiversity plus leisure for humans. If you have enough land to produce goods for sale, there is a ready market locally. Whilst you may need a healthy budget for many of the properties in this ceremonial county which borders London, the advantages could well be worth it. Take a look at the properties on offer – some will take your breath away!
FEATURED PROPERTIES IN HERTFORDSHIRE
Properties can range from around £20million downwards and for most of us, it would need to be significantly in that direction. But for those of you with deep pockets, there are some stunning examples of beautiful country homes.
On the market with Jonathan Hunt Estate Agents with a guide price of £900,000 is an attractive four bedroom house set in approximately one acre. The property offers four bedrooms, two large reception rooms as well as a kitchen and utility rooms. On the ground floor is also a WC and shower room and upstairs a family bathroom.
Planning permission has also been obtained to elevate this to a six bedroom, four reception room property with a detached games room/gym and a detached double garage. The house is set in an acre of land which would provide adequate room for growing your own vegetables or fruit as well as keeping a few chickens. Within a short distance of the A10, 15 miles from Stevenage and 13 miles from Bishop’s Stortford, Anstey is a small rural village in East Hertfordshire with a number of good schools within a 5 mile radius. With huge potential, this property is definitely worth a look.
https://jonathanhunt.co.uk/PropertyDetails/319756/Anstey
Not far away in Standon is a four bedroom, two bathroom attractive bungalow with approximately half an acre. Beautifully presented and in a delightful village which is much in demand, the property is on the market with Elliot Heath Estate Agents for £900,000. A ten minute drive from Ware, the village has a considerable number of facilities which include a bakers, post office, general stores, hairdresser, two village pubs and a parish church.
https://elliotheath.co.uk/property/hadham-road-standon-sg11/
For a cool £2.75 million Broken Green Farm, also in Standon, offers 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, an independent cottage, 3 large barns and all set in 5 acres of land. The Grade II listed farmhouse has been renovated to the highest standard in a stunning art deco style and the barns and outbuildings offer huge potential, subject to any necessary planning permissions, for a variety of uses. On the market with Fine & Country it is well worth a look just in case a large windfall should come your way.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147325304#/?channel=RES_BUY
To receive regular copies of The Country Smallholder magazine featuring more information like this, subscribe here.
For FREE updates from the world of smallholding, sign up for The Country Smallholder newsletter here.
