St Albans remains one of the most popular places for property buyers in the home counties and South-East England. A key reason for this is the diverse range of areas that make up St Albans, where residents can either live in the hustle and bustle of the city centre, or in the more rural areas which offer a quieter, more slow-paced lifestyle. London Colney is a popular village within St Albans, offering residents a perfect mix of local amenities, community activities and beautiful countryside.
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Where is London Colney?
London Colney is a village situated approximately 3 miles South-East of St Albans and close to the commuter towns of Potters Bar and Radlett. Several regular bus services connect the village with the train station in St Albans, which provides a regular fast train service into central London; it is also situated near Junction 22 of the M25, while also linking to the nearby towns of Hatfield, Watford, Borehamwood and Elstree.
London Colney: An Overview
London Colney’s dominant feature is the River Colne, which runs through the village and led to the formation of the many ponds throughout the village.
Set close to Junction 22 of the M25, the Colney Retail Park offers shoppers several options, including a large Next, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer. The village high street, meanwhile, provides all the creature comforts you’d expect from a village with a convenience store, hairdresser and pharmacy.
Parents will love the chance to take their children to meet the animals at Willow’s Farm, while lovers of aviation and history will marvel at the collection of aircraft at the De Havilland Museum. There is a Leisure Centre in the Cotlandswick part of the village, while London Colney FC of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division plays at Cotlandswick Park, just off the A405.
The village also plays host to the training grounds of Watford and Arsenal Football Clubs, which are next door to each other on Bell Lane.
Properties in London Colney
London Colney plays host to a varied range of properties. First-time buyers and young professionals seeking to join the housing ladder within easy reach of London but without the hustle and bustle of life in the capital will revel in the selection of 1 and 2-bedroom apartments.
Those with children looking for more space are spoilt for choice by the range of 3 and 4-bedroom houses, including detached, semi-detached and period terraced cottages. Most of these properties come with their own garden spaces, making them ideal for entertaining family and friends during the spring and summer.
London Colney also offers plenty of choice for people looking to rent, with a selection of houses and apartments on the private rental market. People approaching retirement will also be able to downsize quickly in one of the bungalows or retirement developments in the village.
Average Property Prices in London Colney
The average property price in London Colney is £438,390, with 1-bedroom flats averaging £220,000 and 2-bed properties (apartments and houses) costing an average of £320.000.
Those looking for 3 bedrooms can expect to pay around £360,000 for a flat and £552,000 for a house, while the larger 4-bedroom homes are on the market for an average of £652,000.
For those looking to rent on the private rental market, the average rent for properties in London Colney is £1,542pcm, ranging from £1,269pcm for a 2-bedroom flat to £2,249pcm for a 4-bedroom house.
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Schools
London Colney has three primary schools in the village, each of which has been rated “Good” by OFSTED. Saint Bernadette is a Primary School which caters for students of the Catholic faith. At the same time, London Colney Primary School also has a Nursery School feeding into it for children of preschool age. Bowmansgreen Primary School is the third school and is located on Telford Road.
Children of secondary school age usually attend schools in St Albans, including the St Albans Girls School (STAGS), located near the city centre and rated “Outstanding” by OFSTED. Other schools popular with families of London Colney-based children are the Samuel Ryder Academy and Verulam School, both of which are rated “Good” by OFSTED. Bus services serve all secondary schools from London Colney, providing safe and reliable transport to and from St Albans.
Things to Do
Although London Colney is a relatively small village, there is plenty for people to do without venturing too far away. A twice-weekly lunch club is open to all village residents on Tuesday and Thursday, while several clubs and groups meet at Caledon Community Centre. These include seated exercise and chair yoga, Tae-Kwon Do, Irish Dancing, over 60s bingo, a library, keep fit, Zumba, boot camp, messy play, and is also home to a Friday food bank. Meanwhile, Napsbury Sports Pavilion plays home to a music group for toddlers and yoga, while Morris Way Sports Pavilion hosts Pilates and the Royal London Colney British Legion Women’s Section. Those looking to keep active will enjoy themselves at the Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, while budding footballers will be able to play for St Albans Rangers, who play on Bell Lane on the edge of the village. Other activities include cricket during the summer.
Greenery and Countryside
The semi-rural location London Colney is set within means there are myriad opportunities for walkers to enjoy circular walks that take in the best the local countryside offers. The River Colne also provides several places for open-water fishing, notably at Broad Colney Lakes, a popular hotspot for keen anglers.
London Colney’s History
The first recording of London Colney appears in 1555, taking its name from the fact that it was located on the ‘Colney Road to London’. The High Street’s range of inns provided regular stopovers for people travelling from the north to London during the 16th and 17th Centuries. The Romans captured Alban, England’s first martyr, in the London Colney area before executing him in Verulamium, and he is now interred at the shrine in St Albans Abbey.
During World War II, London Colney became famous for being the location where German spy Karl Richter landed in 1941. After being stopped by two lorry drivers asking for directions to London, they became suspicious and alerted the police. Richter was arrested and eventually confessed to being a spy.
Thinking of Moving to London Colney?
If you’re looking to buy or rent a property in London Colney, get in touch with our expert team today. We have over 30 years of experience, helping buyers and sellers across St Albans to find their ideal home. Contact our friendly team today on 01727 836561, or browse our available properties in London Colney online.