Area Guide: Exploring the Jersey Farm area of Hertfordshire

History

The residential area that is today known as Jersey Farm was farmland until around 40 years ago. It was previously known as Evans Farm, until well-known tuberculosis researcher Dr Corner moved to the farm in 1931, and decided to name it after his herd of Jersey cows.

When Corner died in 1945, at age 81, his daughter Hilda continued running the farm and dairy business, which was eventually sold to the Royal London Mutual Insurance Company for housing development.

In 1977 permission was granted to build on 118 of the 309 acres of farmland - despite strong opposition from local residents.

However things didn't go entirely to plan, as the Queen Anne farmhouse - now the site of St Brelades Place, which would have been the centrepiece of the estate - was destroyed by a fire in 1979.

One section of the farm was excavated as a gravel quarry, now the Jersey Farm adventure park. Further plans to develop the remaining area as a sports ground met with opposition, so the land became Jersey Farm Woodland Park instead - a 55-acre area of woods and wildflower meadows.

The volunteer-run Jersey Farm Residents Association was established in 1979 and acts as a voice for the community, organising events such as fireworks displays and Christmas parties.

Green space 

As well as the vast Woodland Park there's also Jersey Farm Open Space, parts of which were once used for landfill. Now it is home to the adventure playground, which includes a half-pipe skate ramp.

Jersey Lane links Marshalswick to Sandridge, and is popular with walkers and cyclists, providing a handy shortcut for pedestrians.

Just a short walk from Jersey Farm is the 858-acre Heartwood Forest, which is the largest continuous new native forest in England, featuring miles and miles of woodland.

Amenities 

St Brelades Place provides a hub for the community, with a range of shops including a Tesco Express, a pharmacy and a bike shop.

Other amenities available include doctors' and dentists' surgeries and The Jersey Farm Community Centre, which provides a base for a variety of clubs catering to residents of all ages.

Food and Drink 

There are two popular takeaways in St Brelades Place: Bengal Spice Indian and Jersey Farm Chinese Cuisine.

Also in St Brelades is The Blackberry Jack, a traditional local pub serving a wide range of food in a family-friendly setting, including vegan, vegetarian and kids' menus.

The pub was named by a competition, with 'Blackberry Jack' the winning entry. It was named due to stories of a man who lived in 'camps' in the blackberry bushes around the local fields, whose name was actually Bill or William.

'Jack' came from the name of another man, who wore a long white coat and spent most of his time drunkenly wandering between St Albans and Borehamwood.

The Potting Shed café is within walking distance of Jersey Farm, and makes a pleasant pitstop on a stroll up to Heartwood Forest.

Schools 

The nearest schools to Jersey Farm are all in neighbouring Marshalswick, with popular primaries including Skyswood Primary & Nursery School (rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted), St John Fisher Roman Catholic Primary (rated ‘good’) and Wheatfields infant and junior schools (rated ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ respectively).

Sandridge School (‘good’) is another option, located just north of Jersey Farm in the pretty village of the same name. 

Sandringham is the closest secondary (rated ‘outstanding’), but like many schools in St Albans is always over-subscribed.

Property 

Although far from cheap, Jersey Farm is one of the more affordable areas of St Albans.

Homes currently on the market locally include a two-bedroom terraced house at Craiglands for £475,000 and a 4/5-bedroom detached property at Pirton Close for £900,000. 

Transport 

St Albans and Hatfield train stations are both a short drive away, as are the A1(M) and M25. 

Regular buses connect Jersey Farm to St Albans, Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City