In a valley in the Chiltern Hills, between Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, lies the village of Codicote.
This large rural village and civil parish uses both the Hitchin postcode (SG4), and the St Albans postcode (AL6), and is about five miles from both Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City.
To the north-east of the village lies the picturesque St Giles Church with its adorned chapel of the Holy Innocents, dedicated by the Bishop of Rochester between 1108 and 1115.
Property
There is a wide range of property currently for sale in Codicote, from a huge six-bed country house with gym and pool complex on Hitchin Road (£2,750,000) to a two-bed terrace house on The Paddocks (£265,000).
According to Rightmove, Codicote properties had an overall average selling price of £379,546 over the last year, making it a more affordable alternative to neighbouring Welwyn (£643,923) and Knebworth (£465,999).
Amenities
The scenic high street is lined with pubs and eateries. The Globe is a traditional boozer offering live music, TV sports channels and a range of pub grub, from traditional Sunday roasts to Thai food on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The two other pubs on High Street are The Goat Inn, a cosy, welcoming venue with food and live music offerings, and The Bell Motel, which houses 25 residential rooms at the back of its traditional-style bar and restaurant.
There is also the ever popular Codicote Spice Indian restaurant.
Schools
Codicote Church of England Primary School dates back to 1857, but the current school building on Meadow Way was established in 1972, and further expanded in 2001. The school was rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted at its last inspection.
Secondary education is provided by schools in nearby towns, including Monk's Walk in Welwyn Garden City ('good').
Transport
Knebworth train station is just two miles outside the village. Also nearby are Welwyn North and Welwyn Garden City railway stations, which have great links to the major towns and cities in the area.
Codicote is also well connected to major roads, eight miles from the M1 and less than three miles from the A1(M).
The Codicote community
Codicote is known for its excellent sports facilities. The John Clements Sports and Community Centre was opened in 2015 following an epic fundraising effort which saw £550,000 raised. It was named in honour of local Codicote man John Clements, a teacher at Sherrardswood School in Welwyn Garden City, who lost his life rescuing 35 children from a burning hotel during a ski trip to Italy in 1976. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross.
Football, tennis, cricket, mini rugby and indoor bowls events are played at the site, and the centre also hosts social events, including weddings, birthday parties, live music, dance and pilates sessions and a youth club.
In the middle of the high street is the Codicote Peace Memorial Hall, an ideal venue at the heart of the village to hire for social functions. The main hall has table seating for 120, a sprung floor, and built-in stage lighting.
Without doubt, the social highlight of the year is the Codicote Village Day which takes place in the summer.
This year it will be held on July 20, and the theme is 'night at the movies.' It offers fun activities for children, a parade, and a range of competitions, including Codicote Bake Off and Best Float.
There's also the Goatfest live music festival to look forward to on August 23-25.
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