A Guide to Living in Hertfordshire

Where is Hertfordshire?

Hertfordshire is a county in the East of England. It is bordered to the north by Bedfordshire, to the east by Essex and Cambridgeshire, to the south by Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and finally to the west by Northamptonshire. 

Areas in Hertfordshire

The county of Hertfordshire is made up of several districts, each with its own unique character. Listed below are the most popular areas in Hertfordshire, along with a little bit of information about each one:

St Albans – This historic city is home to some of the best schools in the county and is only a short train ride away from London. The town is home to a range of amenities and facilities, including the Abbey National Theatre.

Bedford – An historic market town with an impressive skyline, Bedford is located on the River Great Ouse and boasts some great schools in its surrounding areas.

Stevenage – With excellent transport links into London and other major cities such as Cambridge and Peterborough, Stevenage is a great place for commuters. It also has a number of large shopping centres and plenty of green spaces.

Hatfield – Another town with excellent transport links, Hatfield is home to the University of Hertfordshire as well as a number of other educational institutions. It also has a wide range of shops and amenities.

Bishop’s Stortford – One of the best places to live in Hertfordshire, Bishop’s Stortford is a vibrant area with lots going on, such as the weekly market and the annual carnival. It also has a great selection of amenities, shops, restaurants and bars.

Hertford – The county town of Hertfordshire, Hertford is a charming and historic town with plenty to offer residents. It has a great selection of shops, restaurants and bars as well as several cultural attractions.

Universities in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is home to a number of universities, including:

The University of Hertfordshire – With over 25,000 students and campuses in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City, The University of Hertfordshire is one of the largest universities in the UK.

Hertfordshire Business School – Part of The University of Hertfordshire, the Hertfordshire Business School offers a range of business-focused courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

West Herts College – A Further Education college with campuses in Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. Offers a range of courses from A-levels to diplomas and degrees.

Top Schools in Hertfordshire

There are many top schools located throughout Hertfordshire, such as:

Bishop’s Stortford College – A prestigious independent day school that prides itself on its academic excellence, Bishop’s Stortford College offers GCSEs, A-levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

The Hertfordshire School – An all-girls school with a strong academic reputation, The Hertfordshire School offers GCSEs and A-levels in science, art and humanities.

The Henrietta Barnett School – A grammar school for girls that is well-known for its academic excellence, The Henrietta Barnett School offers GCSEs and A-levels in the sciences (particularly biology), mathematics, English literature and history.

Buntingford School – A mixed comprehensive school that offers GCSEs and A-levels in a range of subjects, Buntingford School is particularly well known for its music department.

Population of Hertfordshire

The population of Herts has been rising steadily since 2001 at an average increase rate over 25 years of 0.16% per year or approximately 11 persons each week on average, according the Office For National Statistics. This accounts for just under 500 new residents every month.