Area Guide: Exploring the Hertfordshire village of Aldenham

The village is situated between Radlett and Watford, and is probably smaller today than it was 500 years ago, as its land was sold off to the highest bidders during the Reformation.

Property  

Currently on the market in Aldenham is a five-bedroom detached property at High Cross for £1.9m and a two-bedroom apartment at Holbrook Gardens for £695,000. 

Schools  

Right on Aldenham's doorstep are some of the most prestigious private schools in the country.

Aldenham School was founded in 1597, and is described as "small, smart and with traditional style". It is now a private school which welcomes a mix of boarding and day students of both genders. 

Meanwhile Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School - which also has a girls' school linked to it - was named as the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year in 2017. 

There is also a good choice of nearby state schools, including Little Reddings Primary School and Bushey Meads Secondary School, both of which were rated 'good' by Ofsted in their most recent inspections.

History 

Aldenham was first mentioned in the Domesday Book as one of the 14 conservation areas in Hertsmere.

The village also boasts eight listed buildings dating back to before the 19th century.

The parish itself has remained largely unchanged since Saxon times, when the majority of the land was owned by the abbots of Westminster Abbey, although buildings have been rebuilt.

Even though the village gave its name to the Aldenham Bus Works, owned by London Transport, Aldenham Works was actually located at nearby Elstree. Its buildings were demolished in 1996.

Aldenham Social Club (Image: Google Street View)

Buildings of historical interest in Aldenham include Aldenham Social Club - a late medieval hall house which dates from around 1500. 

To the west of the churchyard stands Church Farm House, and Aldenham is also the home of Wall Hall - originally known as Aldenham Abbey.

The building has served as an abbey, a country house and a Voluntary Aid Detachment hospital during the First World War.

Church  

One of the most significant features in the village is St John the Baptist Church, which was built around the mid 13th-century.

The church has offered 750 years of continuous worship, and continues to serve the local community.

In 1940 the church was damaged by a German air attack, which broke stained glass and removed the 'Hertfordshire Spike' - the spire at the top of the tower. Restoration work to fix the damage was completed in 1951.

Both the church and the village have featured in a variety of media productions, from films such as Confessions of a Window Cleaner, to BBC TV series Pathfinders - as well as Coldplay's music video for 'Life in Technicolour'.

Transport  

Aldenham is very convenient for drivers due to the village's close proximity to the M25, M1 and A1(M).

For rail links, Radlett Station is a convenient six-minute drive from the village, while Elstree and Borehamwood Station is around 12 minutes away. Both stations have direct train links into central London.

Sport and leisure  

Aldenham has a lot of opportunities for sport and leisure activities. Aldenham Golf & Country Club offers nine and 18-hole courses designed to challenge golfers of every skill level.

The club's dining rooms also host regular private events, ranging from corporate dinners to birthday parties and weddings.

Aldenham Country Park is a beautiful, 100-acre green space, which offers a range of activities designed for people of all ages, including pony rides and seasonal events.

There is also a Hundred Acre Wood trail, with Winnie-the-Pooh themed attractions along the route. Visitors have the option to camp - and even glamp - within the facilities.

Aldenham Sailing Club makes use of Aldenham Reservoir, a 50-acre lake next to Elstree.

The village also has a cricket club, which was founded in 1972 and is hosted by the Aldenham Social Club.

This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (Image: Frost's)