From its fabulous Chiltern Hills location to attractions including the Natural History Museum, there are plenty of reasons to appreciate this pretty part of Hertfordshire.

Herts Advertiser: The Natural History Museum, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOThe Natural History Museum, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Situated 30 miles north of London, the commuter town of Tring is home to a selection of independent stores, cafes, bars and restaurants.

Nestled in the Tring Gap, an aptly named opening in the Chiltern Hills, the historic town of Tring lies just outside The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Indeed, the town has no shortage of beautiful scenery, with Tring Park and nearby nature reserve and waterways.

Herts Advertiser: Tring Park, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOTring Park, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

History

Evidence of Tring dates back to the medieval period, as the area was mentioned in the Domesday Book. However, settlements in the town date back as far as the prehistoric period. It has been a market town since 1315, when it was granted a market charter by Edward II.

Tring Manor House was designed by acclaimed architect Christopher Wren. It was built for Colonel Henry Guy, Groom of the Bedchamber to King Charles II, in 1682.

In 1872, the Manor became home to a branch of the Rothschild family whose influence on the town was considerable. The famous collectors built a private zoological museum in the town, which has been part of the Natural History Museum at Tring since 1937.

Herts Advertiser: High Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOHigh Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

The mansion is now home to Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, and its 300 acre park is in the care of the Woodland Trust.

Property

Tring offers a mix of period homes and more modern properties, from the cottages and lodge houses surrounding the former Rothschild estate, to the detached homes perched on the Chiltern slopes.

Of course, living somewhere this appealing doesn't come cheap: according to Rightmove, the overall average price of a property in Tring over the last year was just shy of half a million (£497,112).

Homes currently on the market in the town include an equestrian facility set in six acres (£1,625,000), a Grade II listed detached house (£900,000) and a Victorian terraced cottage (£425,000).

Herts Advertiser: Some of the period properties available in Tring's town centre. Picture: DANNY LOOSome of the period properties available in Tring's town centre. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Transport

Tring is easily reachable by car from London, with the A41 connecting the town to the M25 and M1.

The station links Tring to London Euston in about 40 minutes, as well as major interchanges such as Watford Junction and Clapham Junction.

Herts Advertiser: Tring's historic town centre. Picture: DANNY LOOTring's historic town centre. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Sport and leisure

Tring has three local football clubs: Tring Athletic, Tring Town and Tring Corinthians, all playing in the Spartan South Midlands Football League. The town also has a youth club, Tring Tornadoes, for boys and girls aged up to 16, plus rugby, hockey and cricket clubs.

For a more comprehensive sporting experience, the Tring Sports Centre can be found in the grounds of Tring School. The building contains a 25m pool, artificial football pitch and multi-purpose sports hall, which are all open for public use.

The town has plenty of walking routes around the Tring Reservoirs and along the Grand Union Canal, while the Tring Natural History Museum is another popular attraction, one of its eccentric highlights being the grinning polar bear.

Herts Advertiser: The collection inside the Natural History Museum, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOThe collection inside the Natural History Museum, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Then there's Tring Local History Museum, which offers an interactive and engaging timeline of the town's history for children and adults.

Between the station and the town is the 35-acre grounds of Pendley Manor Hotel, where the annual open-air Shakespeare Festival takes place. Its quest to bring the Bard to new audiences was halted for the first time since 1949 last year, due to COVID, but it looks set to return this summer.

Food and drink

Herts Advertiser: The Rose & Crown, High Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOThe Rose & Crown, High Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

A local favourite is the Kings Arms, a traditional pub serving good quality British food and well-kept ales, proudly free of all ‘electronic distractions’, from gaming machines to TVs.

Another popular option is Crockers' Chef's Table, which offers "the ultimate in relaxed fine dining". Diners are invited to take a seat at the 15-seat chef's table and watch as their food is prepared in front of them using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Herts Advertiser: High Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOOHigh Street, Tring. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Schools

Popular schools include Tring School, which is a Christian secondary school attached to the church of St Peter and St Paul. Located on Mortimer Hill, it hosts approximately 1,500 pupils aged between 11 and 18. It was rated 'good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection.

Rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, Goldfield Infants' and Nursery School prides itself on its diversity. With a capacity of 240, it welcomes all children aged three to seven.

For creative types, there's also Tring Park School for the Performing Arts - an independent school specialising in acting, dance and musical theatre.

Herts Advertiser: This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (www.frosts.co.uk/branches)This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (www.frosts.co.uk/branches) (Image: Archant)