Aldenham is a pretty and historic Hertfordshire village, just 15 miles from central London.
The village lies a few miles north-east of Watford and two miles south-west of Radlett. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, it has pre-19th century listed buildings and is one of Hertsmere’s conservation areas.
One of the parish’s charms is that it remains largely unchanged – with some buildings rebuilt – since Saxon times, when most of the land there was owned by Westminster Abbey abbots.
It is one of the most privileged places you can live, with Aldenham East featuring as the least deprived ward out of 8,414 in England and Aldenham West ranking as among the least poor three percent in the country.
Aldenham is often used in films, advertisements and television programmes, due to its close proximity to Elstree Studios and the Coldplay music video for Life In Technicolor II was made there.
Amenities
Several newsagents, independent convenience stores, a Co-op and post offices are a couple of miles from the village, which is close enough to reasonably access all the large supermarkets, main shops and most services or entertainment you could want in and around Watford town centre and Radlett.
Schools
Two British public schools – Aldenham School, for secondary school age pupils, and Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, which has a girls’ school linked to it – are located in the Aldenham parish. Both are prestigious fee-paying schools for wealthier families.
Children from nursery age to Year Six can attend Aldenham Prep School, which is also in the independent education sector.
State schools based in neighbouring Bushey include Highwood Primary School, rated as ‘good’ by Ofted in 2013, and Little Reddings Primary School, has a nursery and is part of an academy with Bushey Meads Secondary School. Hertsmere Jewish Primary School in Radlett caters for those wanting to give their children a religious-based education.
Transport links
Radlett Station is not far and has trains that reach London St Pancras in half an hour. Elstree & Borehamwood Station is within walking distance of Aldenham and runs reliable fast rail services north and south.
Aldenham benefits from having highly desirable properties and countryside areas, yet is in close proximity to major road routes, the M25, M1 and A1 trunk road, facilitating travel for work and leisure purposes.
Sport and leisure
Aldenham Golf Club has two well-established golf courses, set in beautiful parkland. The Clubhouse – a converted dairy cattle barn – has a warm and inviting atmosphere and friendly staff.
Aldenham Country Park is a very popular visitor attraction for families and dog-walkers. It is owned by the council and is a fair distance away from the old village. It has a 60-acre lake, woods and meadowland, a snack bar, a play area for children and small farm area where you can see small animals.
Aldenham Adventure Playground, based in the country park, is an outdoor and indoor play area with soft play, sand and water pumps, a tree house slide, zip wire and sensory equipment. It is particularly suitable for people with special education needs and disabilities.
Aldenham Sailing Club enjoys competitive mini-keel boating among its pursuits and is south of the country park, boasting a 50-acre boxing glove-shaped lake next to Elstree.
Food and drink
A Toby Carvery is perhaps not the most predictable of eating out choices in one of the most well-off areas of the land, but it is extremely popular for its delicious roast dinners and hearty breakfasts. Based in Church Lane, it has a regular menu of British pub food and ice creams and is especially welcoming for families and larger groups of diners.
There are a handful of lovely, characterful pubs. The Round Bush is a traditional village pub with two front rooms and a back restaurant, serving generous portions of food at fair prices and a selection of ales. They are happy for dogs and children to visit and have a large enclosed garden with play area.
The Three Compasses is also a pub restaurant and offers an eclectic menu from its welcoming premises, which has timber beams, an open fire and outdoor seating.
For takeaway and deliveries, Paya Cuisine offers Thai and Chinese food, and Watford’s Anchor Fish Bar (which also sells chicken, burgers, pies and kebabs) delivers to Aldenham. Or there are a number of pizza places nearby, such as Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Tops Pizza and Perfecto.
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