As well as fabulous schools, impressive properties and a fast train service into London, Brookmans Park also benefits from having a real village community atmosphere.
The historic village is in the civil parish of North Mymms, Hertfordshire, and according to local legend, Brookmans Park is where the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet originates – with the subject being daughter to Dr Thomas Moffat, an entomologist, who lived in the area between 1553 and 1604, on a farm.
Amenities
There is a newsagents, traditional butcher, baker, fishmonger, greengrocer, post office and library. It’s rare for a village these days to host such a wide range of great little shops and boutiques in its centre – an endearing luxury which adds to the charm and appeal of Brookmans Park.
With lovely places to eat and drink, peaceful walking opportunities and an annual May Day celebration, residents of Brookmans Park agree that it’s well worth the entry level price tag of just over half a million pounds for a three-bed semi.
In the Church of England parish of North Mymms, the village is served by St Mary’s Church in North Mymms Park. There is also a United Reformed Church in Brookmans Park.
Schools
All the schools are extremely well respected locally, including Brookmans Park Primary School and secondary comprehensive, Chancellor’s. Popular with parents, they’re both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and known for consistently high standards of education at all levels.
Hugely oversubscribed, the voluntary-aided Dame Alice Owen’s School, just down the road in Potters Bar, is widely acknowledged to be one of the best schools in the country. Rated ‘Outstanding’ at its last Ofsted inspection in 2009, you’ll be lucky to get in – some years there are more than a thousand applicants sitting the entrance exam, battling for 65 coveted places.
Transport
By rail, it’s 40 minutes to Moorgate and half an hour into Kings Cross from Brookmans Park Station. The nearby Potters Bar train station runs a fast service, getting into Kings Cross in just 15 minutes.
Halfway between the A1000 Hatfield Road (to the west) and A1(M) to the east, there are excellent road links for commuting purposes, travel and leisure.
Sport and leisure
Popular with local players, Brookmans Park Golf Club possesses a full 18-hole course, which is deemed to be challenging. Although the East Coast railway line runs nearb the course, it apparently does not disturb the ambient experience of playing there.
Also very popular is Brookmans Park Lawn Tennis Club, ironically situated on Golf Club road! With four floodlit artificial grass courts and two macadam courts, members regularly participate in regional tournaments.
A nature reserve – on the former ancient private site of The Gobions Estate from the 14th to 18th centuries – is managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust as Gobions Wood.
There’s a youth club in Brookmans Park for teenagers, provided by North Mymms Youth Project, and the village is home to North Mymms Scout Group.
Food and drink
Brookmans is a popular contemporary gastropub, in Bradmore Green, serving local ales and unfussy food all day, with daily specials.
Miller & Carter, Great North Road, is a stylish chain steakhouse, which prides itself on its sustainably-raised grass-fed British beef, burgers and ribs. Regulars describe it as exceptional.
Cock O’ The North is a classic community pub with plenty of nooks and crannies, a British pub menu and garden seating.
For Indian cuisine, try Bengal Paradise in Great North Road, or Raj Tandoori, Bradmore Green, offering traditional Indian food from an old-fashioned curry house. Across the road, Methi is a Bangladeshi restaurant with a more modern vibe, great food and friendly service.
China Red is a reliable, high quality Chinese restaurant selling fresh, delicious food. Online reviews suggest the salt and pepper squid is definitely worth a try.
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