The village of Smallford is sandwiched between Hatfield and St Albans with direct links to both.

Herts Advertiser: The Alban Way, SmallfordThe Alban Way, Smallford (Image: Archant)

Located in the City and District of St Albans and in the Civil Parish of Colney Heath, Smallford is rich in heritage and diversity.

The village originally had a railway station on the former St Albans branch line which opened in 1866. The railway line closed to passengers in 1951 and was permanently closed in 1969. Now known as the Alban Way, the disused line runs from St Albans to Hatfield.

The Alban Way has a number of different walking and cycling paths and is popular amongst dog walkers. The remains of most of the station platforms exist along the route, with some having recently been refurbished.

Property

Herts Advertiser: The Alban Way is ideal way of exploring the local areaThe Alban Way is ideal way of exploring the local area (Image: Archant)

Properties in the area are mostly semi-detached or detached houses. According to Rightmove, the average selling price for a property in Smallford was £671,233 during 2017; prices were 17 per cent down on the previous year and 16 per cent up on 2011.

However, with only six properties sold during the year, average prices are unlikely to reflect huge change within the market.

There are two properties currently for sale in the village – a four-bed detached house on Oaklands Lane for £950,000 and a three-bed terrace on Springfield Road for £350,000.

Herts Advertiser: The platform at what was once Smallford StationThe platform at what was once Smallford Station (Image: Archant)

Transport Links

Smallford is just off the A414, with the A1 nearby. M25 junction 22 is about four miles from the village. Bus routes connect Smallford to St Albans and Hatfield, with buses travelling as far as Luton and Watford. Most bus routes into St Albans go via St Albans City railway station, which offers a direct 20 minute train to London.

Education

Colney Heath JMI situated in the nearby village of Colney Heath, is the nearest primary school and nursery. Its latest Ofsted report commended the school with a ‘good’ rating.

While Beaumont is the closest secondary school, its catchment is so tight that students from Smallford are more likely to secure a place elsewhere in St Albans, at Samuel Ryder Academy or Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School (both rated ‘good’).

Oaklands College’s Smallford campus provides A Level courses, vocational studies and higher education courses. The college was rated ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted report.

St Albans Nursery and Montessori Pre-school (‘outstanding’) provides childcare for children aged three months to five years.

Sports and Leisure

The recreational ground situated on Oaklands Lane is home to St Albans Rugby Club and Harvesters Football Club. The rugby club was formed in 1970 and was the first open rugby club in St Albans. Harvesters train youth teams from under sevens to under 18s, as well as a walking football team.

Hertfordshire Sports Village is just down the road from Smallford in Hatfield, offering a variety of different sports clubs, as well as a gym, squash courts, an eight lane swimming pool and a climbing wall.

Local Amenities

The Three Horse Shoes is located along Hatfield Road. The 18th century pub has a separate restaurant area, as well as a real log fire.

The Plough is a traditional, thatched, family-friendly pub in nearby Sleapshyde. The pub dates back to the 16th century and serves quality home cooked food, along with a range of real ales. Along with a large pub garden and a children’s play area, it is also dog friendly.

Other local amenities include a petrol station, a veterinary surgery and Notcutts Garden Centre. Notcutts has a café, animals to look at and buy and a gift shop, hosting special family-friendly events at key times of year, including Christmas and Easter.