Abbots Langley and its neighbouring Bedmond are two semi-rural Hertfordshire villages. They are both attractive, leafy communities – idyllic slices of the countryside dream north of Watford. What’s more, it’s only half an hour by train into central London from Kings Langley station. Located in a sea of every shade of green you can imagine; these two villages are not only beautiful but seeped in history dating back centuries. With more than 10 primary and junior schools, and a number of academies, this neighbourhood appeals to families who wish to escape the busy inner city, but want to have the option to commute into town. Some might say it’s magical… though that’s mostly because the Harry Potter studio is about five minutes away.

One local history blog put it succinctly, stating that the area has ‘a long history of successful human habitation’, which also suggests a promising future for the town. Nonetheless, the area is most famous for being the hometown of Nicolas Breakspear, who became Pope Adrian IV and the only Englishman (so far) to be Pope. He allegedly choked to death on a fly! Other than this claim to fame, the villages have been strong agricultural communities for centuries, as well as being popular for London’s wealthy to get away for a countryside retreat. For example, W.H. Smith – of the stationary fame – was a resident of Cecil Lodge. The opening of Leavesden Hospital more recently in 1870 produced the biggest change to the area, as new workers spiked the population.

Tibbs Hill Road in Abbots Langley is home to one of the best-preserved examples of Prince Albert’s Model Cottages. These were designed and presented at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and were considered a revolutionary architectural solution to social housing for the poor.

Residents have expressed that their most pressing local issue is the traffic around the M25, which has led to numerous road accidents and congestion. A service station proposal off of Junction 20 on the M25 was recently rejected for its potential impacts on the environment and surrounding communities. It also received more than 1,600 objections from locals and other organisations making it the most disliked scheme in Three Rivers District Council’s history. Flooding caused by the River Gade is also a local issue. A plan revealed by Dacorum Borough Council intends to address the issue by partially rerouting the River Gade through a Hemel Hempstead park.

Due to their historical significance and abundance of green space as part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, these neighbourhoods are strongly protected from development. As a result, there are few prominent construction plans scheduled for the future. However, the Council has expressed support for enhancing the shopping areas in Abbots Langley as well as expanding police in the area. Planning permission has also been granted for more than a dozen modern homes to be built in Abbots Langley and up to 68 homes on land behind Mansion House Farm Equestrian Centre in Bedmond Road.