New homes in Hertfordshire

From vibrant towns to beautiful countryside, Hertfordshire is home to lots of popular attractions along with great transport links to London and beyond. If you want to be within easy reach of the capital while enjoying rural surroundings, a new home in Hertfordshire could be the right choice for you and your family.

A quick history

The county of Hertfordshire was first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in the 11th century, but there is evidence of settlements stretching back to Neolithic times and the Bronze Age, with the discovery of artefacts throughout the local area.  

A number of new towns were established in Hertfordshire during Roman times, but by the 6th century, the area was governed by the Saxons. It became an English shire in the 10th century, and after the Norman invasion, new castles were built throughout the county.

Over time, as London grew, Hertfordshire has become an increasingly popular commuter county for people working in the capital. Letchworth Garden City was the first of its kind in the early 20th century, while Stevenage was the UK’s first ‘new town’ after being approved in 1946.

Business and industry

Hertfordshire is home to a huge range of employers, including GlaxoSmithKline in Ware, Airbus in Stevenage, JD Wetherspoon headquarters in Watford, The National Pharmacy Association in St Albans, Warner Studios in Leavesden and BBC Elstree Studios in Elstree. With excellent transport links to London, lots of people commute into the capital for work, where big businesses include HSBC, Deloitte UK and Google.

Things to do in the area

From country walks to high street shopping, Hertfordshire is a diverse county with lots to see and do. If you enjoy getting out and about in the great outdoors, Aldenham Country Park, Therfield Heath and Hatfield House are ideal for exploring with the family, while walking and cycle routes include The Icknield Way, Grand Union Canal Walk and The Ridgeway.

For days out with the family, take an educational visit to Berkhamsted Castle, Verulamium or The Six Hills Roman barrows, explore Letchworth Garden City, or go on the Making of Harry Potter studio tour at Warner Bros. in Leavesden.

Knebworth House hosts regular live music events, while other attractions in the county include Lee Valley Park, Paradise Wildlife Park, Lee Valley White Water Centre and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Travel and commuting

Hertfordshire is popular with commuters thanks to its excellent transport links to London and beyond by both road and rail. The M1, M11 and M25 all pass through Hertfordshire, while there are regular rail services to the capital from stations including Watford, St Albans and Stevenage. 

To get to central London, the train journey takes 30 minutes from Stevenage, 20 minutes from Watford and 20 minutes from St Albans. If you’re going on holiday, the nearest airports to your new home in Hertfordshire are London Stansted and London Luton, with flights to major destinations across the globe.