Conveniently located between Smallford and Fleetville and ideally placed for all that St Albans and Hatfield have to offer, Oaklands is a residential area with plenty to enjoy...
The area is much-loved by families due to its proximity to excellent state schools.
Homes within catchment areas are snapped up quickly by parents who move from London or other areas of the St Albans to secure a place for their child.
There are also plenty of amenities within easy walking distance, including the parade of shops on Hatfield Road - which includes a barber, a convenience store and various food outlets, such as Wong's popular fish and chip shop and Chinese takeaway.
Also fairly nearby are the shops in Fleetville - including Morrisons supermarket - and the Quadrant in Marshalswick.
Oaklands is also home to The Speckled Hen, a family-friendly pub on Hatfield Road which serves classic pub fare such as steak, burgers and bangers and mash.
The area has plenty of green spaces to enjoy. Across Hatfield Road is Longacres Park, which has a large playing field and two children's playgrounds.
The Alban Way walking and cycling route runs alongside the open space and connects St Albans with Hatfield.
Property
The majority of Oaklands' housing stock is made up of detached and semi-detached family homes, the majority of which were built in the last 100 years.
A major residential development is Wynches Farm Drive, which is tucked away between The Speckled Hen and the parade of shops on Hatfield Road.
The estate was built on what was once Winches Farm, and the Grade II-listed main house - aptly named Winches Farm – remains on what is now Kay Walk.
Another housing development has sprouted up in the area in recent years, with Kingsbury Gardens on Hatfield Road, which was built on the former Beaumont School playing field.
The Oaklands Grange development was built recently off Sandpit Lane, and consists of 348 new homes, with a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes.
Currently there are no homes on the market in Oaklands.
Transport
St Albans City Station is more than half an hour away on foot, or a short bike or bus ride. Regular bus services are available on Hatfield Road.
The ward is also in close proximity to the M25, M1 and A1(M), meaning easy driving both north and south.
Schools
The schools in the Oaklands area are among the most sought after in St Albans - a city which is already renowned for its great state schools.
Oakwood Primary School, in Oakwood Drive, was rated ‘good’ in all areas by Ofsted at its last inspection in 2023.
Beaumont School on Austen Way was rated ‘outstanding’ across the board in 2014, having been praised for preparing pupils “extremely well” for their future and behaviour is “exemplary in and out of the classroom”.
There is also Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School on Colney Heath Lane, which is a coeducational secondary school - ranked 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 2023.
Oaklands College is a further education college which offers a mix of A levels and BTECs, plus apprenticeships, adult learning and specialist programmes for students with high needs.
The college has around 7,500 students across its sites in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Borehamwood, and was ranked ‘good’ in a recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023. St Albans is the largest of its three campuses
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here