Area Guide: Sleapshyde
The small oval sign has stood the test of time - Credit: Archant
Sleepy Sleapshyde lies north of both the River Colne and the dual carriageway between St Albans and Hatfield, surrounded by agricultural land.
The surrounding countryside adds to the hamlet's appeal - Credit: Archant
There is a conservation area on the eastern historic part of this rural, characterful hamlet, which is in the ward of Colney Heath and in the constituency of St Albans.
To the west, there is more modern housing from the mid-twentieth century around Sleapcross Gardens, Sleapshyde Lane and Smallford Lane.
Amenities
Sleapshyde is close to London Colney’s Colney Fields Shopping Park, which includes a huge Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Next, Boots and New Look.
Some of Sleapshyde's characterful housing - Credit: Archant
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It is just over three miles from the centre of St Albans with its parks, Abbey, chain stores, supermarkets and independent retailers. Sleapshyde is a similar distance from Hatfield’s The Galleria, a large shopping centre with several restaurants and a cinema, while Hatfield Library is less than two miles away.
Food and Drink
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The popular Plough pub offers real ale and home-cooked food - including the much-loved steak and ale pie - from a traditional 16th century thatched building. It has a garden and patio with a kids’ play area, smoking shelter and large TV for viewing important sports games, as well as a resident ghost...
Close to Sleapshyde on Hatfield Road is The Three Horseshoes, a country pub oozing rural charm and rustic character, serving seasonal food, carefully nurtured cask ales and fine wine. It boasts exposed beams, a roaring log fire in winter and alfresco dining in the large beer garden.
Nearby takeaways include The Rice, an Indian in Colney Heath High Street, and Sam’s Chinese in London Colney. Harpers Kebab and Fish & Chips Shop in Russet Drive, Wong’s Fish & Chips in Hatfield Road and The Camp Fish Shop, Sutton Road are all close by in St Albans.
The village pump is a Sleapshyde landmark - Credit: Archant
Schools
Primary schools covering the Sleapshyde area include Colney Heath Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery, in Colney Heath High Street, which was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, and Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, which is the closest secondary school. Based in Colney Health Lane, it provides mix-sex Catholic education and is an academy. It was also rated ‘good’ following a recent Ofsted inspection.
London Colney Primary & Nursery School opened in 1939 on the day that World War 2 was announced. It was found to require improvement at its last Ofsted inspection, in 2015.
Transport links
The former chapel is now a two-bed home - Credit: Archant
Nearest railway stations are at Hatfield, Welham Green, St Albans and Brookmans Park – all of which are between two and five miles away from Sleapshyde.
Closest airports are London Luton Airport, Heathrow, London City Airport and Stansted.
Sleapshyde Lane is 0.77 miles from the A1001. It is near to the A414, the A1(M) and the M25 for easy travel by car for commuting and leisure purposes.
Leisure and sport
Willows Farm is on the doorstep of Sleapshyde and features a children’s visiting farm with indoor petting centre, attractions such as a bouncy castle, small rides for young ones and a soft play centre with café.
The Plough pub is much-loved by locals - Credit: Archant
Historic Hatfield House and its garden is a local tourist pull, and St Albans Organ Museum, with its restored organs, is another point of interest.
Sports facilities are available at the University of Hertfordshire’s leisure centre, at Hatfield Campus in College Lane.
Cotlandswick Leisure Centre in London Colney High Street has group exercise sessions, a sports hall, activity camps, football facilities and a soft play centre for children up to 11 years old. It has a dedicated baby and toddler area and a café.
