While it's very much a village in its own right, Boxmoor's location just off the Magic Roundabout means residents are able to enjoy the delights of Hemel, too.

Herts Advertiser: St John's Road, Boxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOOSt John's Road, Boxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

From St John's Road, you can immediately step onto one of many natural walking paths or areas beside the River Bulbourne.

These large open spaces are perfect for family outings and picnics, especially Heath Park where Boxmoor Cricket Club play and which also features a children's play area.

Herts Advertiser: Scenic Boxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOOScenic Boxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Or, you can continue on into the rolling hills around the neighbouring residential areas of Felden and Chaulden. For whatever purpose - leisurely stroll, family outing, dog-walking - Boxmoor has acres upon acres of preserved natural space freely accessible on foot from any part of the area.

Carters Steam Fair comes to Boxmoor Common in July, COVID permitting, while the circus usually comes each March.

Amenities

There is a cluster of local shops and services along St John's Road, including a post office, a GP's surgery, a pharmacy, a jewellers, a florist and an estate agency. There is a dental practice and other amenities around the corner in Chaulden.

Herts Advertiser: Boxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOOBoxmoor. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

History

The name 'Boxmoor' is derived from the box tree and the watermeadows that run alongside the river.

It was once the site of a Mesolithic camp, discovered from stone tools dated 1500 to 6000BC, and there are also remains of a Roman villa from the 1st and 2nd century.

For a long period of time, Boxmoor remained undeveloped. Apart from the Fishery Inn, which served as a refreshment stop for coach and canal travellers and is still in operation today, Boxmoor was little more than grazing land for sheep.

It wasn't until the London and Birmingham Railway was forced to build its main line and station a mile to the west of neighbouring Hemel Hempstead that Boxmoor began to grow.

While the area was absorbed into Hemel during the '50s and '60s, the railway being renamed in the process, Boxmoor still retains much of its rural land and heritage.

The Box Moor Trust, founded in 1594, continues to own and protect much of the surrounding area, ensuring that it remains free for residents to use and enjoy.

Herts Advertiser: Fishery Wharf, Grand Union Canal, Boxmoor. Picture: Karyn HaddonFishery Wharf, Grand Union Canal, Boxmoor. Picture: Karyn Haddon (Image: Archant)

Property

Boxmoor has long been a popular destination for London commuters seeking more space outside the capital.

Properties currently on the market in the village include a three-bed semi-detached Victorian villa on Horsecroft Road for £685,000 and a two-bed apartment on Fishery Road for £290,000.

Herts Advertiser: Some of Boxmoor's period homes. Picture: DANNY LOOSome of Boxmoor's period homes. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

According to Rightmove, the average selling price of a property in the village last year was £510,532. The majority of sales during this period were of detached homes, changing hands for an average price of £794,172.

Transport

Around 27 miles north of London, Boxmoor enjoys easy access to the M1 and the M25.

Rail connections to Euston from Hemel Hempstead station take around half an hour.

Herts Advertiser: In Boxmoor, green space is never far away. Picture: DANNY LOOIn Boxmoor, green space is never far away. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Schools

There are several 'good' schools in and around the village, with Boxmoor Primary, Pixies Hill Primary and St Rose's Catholic Infants' School all picking up this ranking from Ofsted at their last inspections.

Popular secondaries include Hemel Hempstead School, a comprehensive with sixth form between Boxmoor and Hemel, which is also rated 'good'.

Nearby fee-paying alternatives including Westbrook Hay Prep School, Lockers Park and Abbot's Hill.

Food and Drink

There are several restaurants and pubs in Boxmoor, including the historic canalside Fishery Inn, featuring a waterside view and traditional pub food.

A Harvester sits directly outside the station and there are two pubs, the Three Blackbirds on St John's Road and a family-run pub (with bonus sports bar), The Post Office Arms, on Puller Road - something for everyone to enjoy.

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)