Why does Spencer James Estates think you should be buying a home in or around the Welwyn Garden City and Hertford area?
Our top tips for the area
At Spencer James Estates we think local knowledge is so important when it comes to buying or selling your home. Have a look at our area guides to see what we think are the best bits of living in the Welwyn Garden City & Hertford area. Keeping active is very easy with the likes of Gosling Sports Centre that caters for most sporting activities to water sports at Stanborough Lakes which are both in Welwyn Garden City. There is also the brand new "Splashland" which has been a massive hit with the children. Everyone has a "go to" spot for food and our time out moment is spent with a walk to Bumpkins cafe in Tewin where you can choose between a breakfast all served with locally farmed products right through to afternoon tea with homemade cakes and scones.
If you are looking for somewhere to dine on an evening we can highly recommend the Cowper Arms in Letty Green or maybe for something a bit spicier, the Raj of Hertford where not only is the food excellent, the service will keep you coming back. If you fancy a village pub with homemade food then look no further that the Rose and Crown in Tewin. Lovely gardens in the summer and beautiful open fires in the winter.
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Top that off with being able to be in London in around 30 minutes on the train and you have (what we think is) the perfect place to call home.
Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1920 following his previous experiment in Letchworth Garden City. Howard had called for the creation of planned towns that were to combine the benefits of the city and the countryside and to avoid the disadvantages of both. It has an array of shops, cafes and restaurants with John Lewis being one of the longer standing residents approaching 30 years.
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Schools
There are many schools to choose from and some with Ofsted ratings of excellent. Sherrardswood School offering education from pre-school through to sixth form, Ridgeway Academy, a specialist Sports College (formerly Sir Frederic Osborn School, which was formed by the merging of The Welwyn Garden City High School and Attimore Hall School in 1968), Monks Walk School, a specialist Science Academy and Knightsfield School for the deaf to name a few.
Sport & Recreation
Stanborough lakes has always been a favourite of the residents for beautiful open space and water sports. Add to that the new splash park and there is something to do for all ages. Gosling Stadium provides pretty much everything else along with running track, all weather football pitches, dry ski slopes and a fantastic leisure centre. There are also a variety of gymnasiums spread across the town to cater for all keep-fit fanatics. There are 3 golf courses in Welwyn, Panshanger, Mill Green and Welwyn Garden City of which once boasted Nick Faldo as a member.
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Travel Links
Transport links into London are from both Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North stations into Kings Cross. They both boast some pretty impressive travel times into London. The A1 runs parallel to the town which in turn can access the M25 within 8-10 miles.
Hertford
Hertford is a really pretty town, bursting with beautiful old buildings of all ages, and plenty of green space with a small population of around 27,000.
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It is no secret that many people that move to Hertford rarely move afterwards, and if they do, they generally upsize and stay in the county town. The Farmers Market, Charters market and array of cafes, bars and restaurants help to make this small town bustle but you can also escape to the river and Hartham common within vicinity of the town.
Sport & Recreation
Within Hartham Common there is a leisure centre and Swimming pool along with no less than 3 Gymnasiums near to the town centre.
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Travel Links
Hertford boasts two major rail links into London. Hertford North to Moorgate via Finsbury Park and Hertford East to London Liverpool St via Tottenham Hale.
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Schools
Hertford is also well know for its schools, from elementary such as Abel Smith, Mill Mead and Hollybush through to the high schools of Richard Hale and The Sele School.
Tewin
Tewin is a beautiful village with a population of about 2000 and is located part way between the towns of Welwyn Garden City and Hertford. Some of its inhabitants work locally, while many commute to London each day. The village dates back, at least, to Anglo Saxon times and its name has its origins in Anglo Saxon English. Tewin has most of the features typical of English country villages including St Peters Church, Two pubs (Rose and Crown and Plume of Feathers), two village greens a village shop.
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Travel Links
Both Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North station’s are nearby and provide links to Finsbury Park and London Kings Cross.
Recreation
There are many walks throughout Tewin which stretch for miles and very much adored by local residents and visitors alike. There is a Bowls club, Tennis Courts, Cricket green and a park for children. Tewin has a very close community and lots of activities and events are planned throughout the year including its famous Classic Car Show.
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Schools
Both Tewin under 5’s and Cowper School are located in the village.
Welwyn Village
Welwyn is a village and civil parish which includes Digswell and Oaklands. It is sometimes referred to as Welwyn Village or Old Welwyn. It has a beautiful high street with all the amenities you could ask for whilst still keeping that village feeling.
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There is a hotel/restaurant as well as three other restaurants, village pubs, a bakers and select boutique shops which cater for most needs.
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Travel Links
Welwyn has great travel links nearby. Not only is it close to the A1 road, it has train services from Welwyn North to London in 30 minutes. The bus routes also enable travel to bigger towns nearby.
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Sport & Recreation
You will find a tennis club, a sports and social club, a bowls club, a football club and a cricket pitch in the village.
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Welwyn has two state schools and an independent one. The larger state school is Welwyn St. Mary's Church of England Primary School, which takes children aged between 4 and 11 years of age. The second is Oaklands Primary School, which incorporates Acorns Preschool and Playgroup.
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Tenterfield Nursery School is situated on London Road close to the primary school. It takes children aged 3 to 4 years of age. Secondary state education is provided through schools in nearby towns, such as Monks Walk School and Stanborough School, in Welwyn Garden City. You will also find an independent all-ages (nursery through to sixth form) co-educational school on the eastern outskirts of Welwyn called Sherrardswood School.