Radlett

Radlett is set in Hertfordshire and situated inside the M25 orbital, right next door to Borehamwood.  Borehamwood and its surrounding areas are best known as the home to Elstree Studios, which is actually situated in Borehamwood town centre and not Elstree, as the name would suggest.  Many top TV shows, such as Top of the Pops, Eastenders and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire are filmed here and throughout most of the 20th century the studios have been synonymous with film making with many blockbuster Hollywood movies having been filmed and produced here, including Star Wars and Saving Private Ryan.

The origins of Radlett can be tracked back prior to the 18th century and there is evidence of a settlement of some kind from the Roman times.  However, Radlett mainly developed in response to excellent rail and road communications to become a small affluent town surrounded by countryside and a number of larger towns nearby that provide employment, shopping, entertainment and other services to the residents of Radlett.  These towns include Watford (4 miles south west), St Albans (5 miles north) and Borehamwood (3 miles south east). Radlett’s proximity to the City via express rail links means that it has become a popular residence for commuters.

The property stock within Radlett is varied and comprises an older core of period properties dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries coupled with Victorian cottages and traditional 1920s/30s houses.  The village has also seen modern development, this has been principally in the form of executive detached houses and there has also been the construction of a small amount of local/ex-local authority housing.

The amenities are consummate with what you would typically find in a smaller village location in that of the usual day to day shops and a Sainsbury’s supermarket nearby.  However for a more diverse shopping experience then nearby Borehamwood offers a little more such as the Boulevard Retail Park and along the main streets with high street chainstores such as Peacocks, Next and local independent traders.  In addition there are national supermarkets including Marks & Spencer, Iceland and Tesco.

The schooling is a mixture of both private and state but secondary education is more readily found some 10 minutes outside of the village in Bushey or Watford.  Watford and St Albans also offer a wider variety of amenities and facilities to include high street chainstores.

Radlett offers its own selection of pubs and restaurants but only in a small village format.  There are three public houses and four restaurants including a Pizza Express.  Borehamwood offers other local amenities including a larger selection of public houses, restaurants, cafes and takeaways, a library, doctors and dentist surgeries, pharmacists, banks and building societies coupled with sport and leisure centres and health clubs.

The modern Radlett Centre attracts an audience from surrounding towns with its shows, concerts and other performances.

Close to Radlett is the parish of Aldenham which is only now being gradually developed.  Aldenham is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is one of the Hertsmere’s conservation areas.  Aldenham Country Park offers the opportunities for wonderful country walks, picnics and has amazing facilities for children to see different farm animals in their natural habitat.  The reservoir is also an outstanding feature of the area, it was built by the Grand Union Canal Company to assist and regulate water levels in the River Colne.  As leisure time becomes increasingly important in our lives, the reservoir is becoming popular for activities such as sailing, windsurfing and fishing.

South of Radlett is the appealing village of Letchmore Heath, most of which is a conservation area.  The village possesses some interesting timber frame houses,  Jasmine Cottage and the Three Horseshoes public house are late medieval, the Old Rest and Apple Tree Cottage are 16th century and the Old Bakery is 17th century.

Communication links are via the railway station within Borehamwood, with trains reaching London St Pancras in less than 30 minutes.  Furthermore the Thameslink line from Radlett enables direct access to central London and Gatwick airport.  There is also a very good local road network, comprising various A roads, and the M1 and M25 motorway networks.  Nearest airports include Heathrow and Luton which are easily accessible.