St Albans has recently been voted one of the most desirable places to buy property in South-East England. And while the city offers a tantalising hint of town living in semi-rural surroundings, anyone looking to buy or rent a property within easy reach of the city conveniences but with a cosy village feel should make sure their search includes the village of Sandridge.
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Where is Sandridge?
Sandridge is a village located 2½ miles North-East of St Albans City amidst the rolling hills of Hertfordshire. As well as being within easy reach of St Albans city centre, which offers quick and regular train services into central London, there are excellent links to the nearby towns of Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Wheathampstead and Harpenden.
Sandridge: An Overview
The village of Sandridge feeds off the main road that runs through it, linking St Albans and Wheathampstead. There are three excellent pubs, The Green Man, The Rose & Crown and The Queen’s Head, each of which offers an array of drinks and food to suit all tastes.
Darby’s general store sells all your major conveniences, and those searching for caffeine and cake will find Heartwood Tea Rooms the place to satisfy their cravings.
At the very heart of village life is the village hall, which hosts various social events and classes, from quilting to Pilates. At the same time, next door is Spencer Hall and the recreation ground home to Sandridge Rovers Football Club, who play in the Premier Division of the Hertfordshire County Senior League and Sandridge Cricket Club.
Properties in Sandridge
There is a diverse range of properties available in the village. First-time buyers or renters and young professionals seeking a quieter and slower pace of life can choose from 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, either on one level or in the form of a maisonette.
Families looking to upsize have a wide selection of 3- and 4- bedroom semi-detached and detached houses to choose from, the majority of which come with sizeable garden spaces for little ones to let off energy and in which to entertain friends and family.
Buyers looking for some period features will delight in the selection of old terraced cottages in the centre of the village, some of which have been converted into houses of multiple occupancies for rental purposes.
Meanwhile, people hunting for something more modern won’t go short either with many high-quality newer-build developments offering many spacious properties within easy reach of the village centre.
Average Property Prices in Sandridge
The average sale price of properties in Sandridge over the past year was £504,440.
Terraced houses make up the most significant proportion of sales, at an average of £456,111, with semi-detached properties fetching an average of £585,500 and flats selling for £273,800.
For rental properties in Sandridge, you can expect to pay anywhere between £850 to £3,000+ per month.
The property type, number of bedrooms, outdoor space and proximity to the village centre will all influence rental costs.
Schools
Parents with primary school-aged children are well catered for in the village, with Sandridge School located on Woodcock Hill. The school grounds provide plenty of space for children to enjoy outdoor learning opportunities and remain active throughout the school day. The single-form entry offers a comfortable, close-knit feel.
The school was rated “Good” in all areas by OFSTED, and provision also covers nursery, breakfast club, and after-school extra-curricular activities. The school boasts a purpose-built music studio, an excellent school band, and a popular choir group for parents with musically inclined children.
Secondary school children have the choice of “Outstanding” rated Sandringham School in the nearby Marshalswick area of St Albans and St Albans Girls School (STAGS), near St Albans City centre, which also gained the top OFSTED rating.
Things to Do
Despite being a small village, there is plenty for people of all ages to do in Sandridge without needing to venture too far away.
There are two good playgrounds for children under 12 years old, one behind St Leonard’s Church and the other by the village hall.
As well as the senior side, Sandridge Rovers have two other adult teams and a thriving youth section, with teams at many different age groups. The recreation ground is home to Sandridge Cricket Club during the summer months.
The Scout Group caters for boys and girls of primary school age and into teenage years, contributing to the local community and learning skills that will set them up nicely for adulthood.
As with any village, the village hall hosts several classes and community groups for people of all ages. These include a ballet school, bridge club and beginner’s bridge course, a local affairs discussion group, WI, martial arts classes, the Ladies Lodge, carpet bowls, yoga, keep fit, and dance classes.
The hall is available to hire for functions and can cater for up to 60 for dinner parties or 100 for an evening of dance.
You’ll also find a nice selection on local pubs and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat and socialise with friends and family.
Greenery and Countryside
Heartwood Forest was created by The Woodland Trust in 2008, transforming disused farmland into burgeoning woodland with more than 600,000 trees. Maintained by volunteers, the forest is the perfect site for a family ramble, bike ride or horse trek, especially in springtime, when the bluebells are out in force.
There’s another outstanding natural greenery with Jersey Farm Woodland Park offering 55 acres of meadowland, wildflowers and pastures, which link nearby Mashalswick and Jersey Farm. In addition, Nomansland Common lies between Sandridge and Wheathampstead. The common takes its name from a 15th Century dispute between the abbeys of St Albans and Westminster.
Sandridge’s Rich History
The earliest known mention of Sandridge dates back to the end of the 8th Century, and the village was of sufficient size to warrant a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The main structure of St Leonard’s Church dates back to 1114; however, some parts of the building were built in 796.
As well as being the site of the final bits of fighting in the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461, in 1939, a secret intercept station was built on top of Woodcock Hill. It was the first station built to listen to radio traffic from Germany and later Italy and Japan during World War II.
Thinking of moving to Sandridge?
If you’re thinking of moving to Sandridge, get in touch with our expert team today. We have over 30 years of experience helping buyers and renters find the perfect property in Sandridge. Browse our available properties here or give us a call on (01727) 836561 today.