SHENLEY AREA GUIDE
Shenley is a peaceful village in Hertfordshire nestled between St Albans and Radlett.
Shenley boasts a rich history going back more than a thousand years, and as such, is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village receives its namesake from an Anglo-Saxon phrase, meaning “fair or bright clearing or wood”, referencing the fact that the area was heavily wooded during the early Middle Ages period.
Instantly recognisable on the bank of the village pond is the ‘Cage’, or ‘lock-up.’ This domed construction, with a single arched wooden door, was built in the 1700s, and served as a prison for the parish constabulary. An inscription can still be seen on the structure: ‘Do well. And Fear not.’ ‘Be sober. Be vigilant.’
Property prices in Shenley
The average sold price for a property in Shenley in the last 12 months is £719,847. Detached properties in Shenley sold on average for £871,479, Semi-detached homes fetched £655,900 with terraced properties achieving £562,273.
London Road contains a lot of the most expensive homes in Shenley.
The most significant development in Shenley in recent times is Harperbury Park, a 206-home scheme built on the site of Harperbury Hospital mental health facility, which was demolished in 2018. Homes for sale in the development include a five-bed detached house for £1,195,000.
infrastructure
What's in Shenley and close by
lifestyle
Things to do in Shenley
Shenley Park is home to an orchard, meadow and two-acre walled garden with its own amphitheatre. It also has a tea room with adjacent playground, which makes it a popular spot for families.
Shenley Sports Ground to the north of village is the home training ground of the Watford and Arsenal Football Clubs, opened in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
For the Cricket fans, there is the Shenley Cricket Grounds, featuring an authentic 19th-century pavilion, designed by none other than W. G. Grace. Grace was commissioned on the request of the esteemed Porter family, who owned substantial landholdings around Shenley at the time. The ground, known as The Denis Compton Oval, after the legendary Middlesex and England cricketer, is held in high regard internationally, and each summer plays host to U19 international matches and women’s cricket. It was described by the Evening Standard as “possibly the most beautiful ground in England and therefore the world”.
The White Horse is a popular Gastro Pub at the southernly edge of the village, which focuses on modern dishes with a touch of Mediterranean influence. There is also an Italian restaurant L’Italiana, in what used to be The Black Lion public house.
Transport
Road and Railway Links
Radlett railway station is less than 10 minutes away by car, with excellent links to London. Bus routes to north London boroughs and other areas of Hertfordshire also run through Shenley on a regular basis. It is a 5 minute drive to reach the M25 or the A5183 which is the Old Watling Street.
London Luton is the closest airport (13.8 miles) and a train service is available from Radlett station (in 15 minutes) with London Heathrow just over half an hour’s drive away.
Schooling
Good primary and great secondary schools
Shenley Primary School, in the heart of the village, serves most of the local children. Jewish parents may also be interested in Clore Shalom, a single form entry Jewish primary school that teaches the National Curriculum alongside traditional Jewish studies. A fee-paying alternative is Manor Lodge, an independent primary school for children aged four to 11, on the periphery of the village.
The nearest secondary school options are St Albans’ Samuel Ryder Academy and Borehamwood’s Hertswood Academy. Then independent Haberdashers’ Aske’s boys’ and girls’ schools and Aldenham School are also close by and are some of the top 10 schools in the UK.
You can find out more about school admissions by visiting this gov.uk page
Ofsted Report
PROPERTY TO BUY IN SHENLEY
