An upmarket village full of imposing luxury homes, you need deep pockets to live in Brookmans Park.
As well as fabulous schools, impressive properties and a fast train service into London, Brookmans Park also benefits from having a real village community atmosphere.
Located between Hatfield and Potters Bar, the village is a favourite with celebrities, many of whom have called Brookmans Park home over the years, including former England and Spurs stars Gary Mabbutt and Martin Chivers – in fact the latter was landlord of the Brookmans Park Hotel (now Brookmans) for many years. Singer and former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos rented the palatial Edge House on Kentish Lane until 2014, when it sold for £4.2m.
According to local legend, Brookmans Park is where the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet originates – with the subject being daughter to Dr Thomas Muffet, an entomologist, who lived in the area between 1553 and 1604.
Property
It comes as no surprise to learn that a village so famously well stocked with luxury homes sold more detached properties than anything else last year for a hefty average sale price of £1,165,941, according to Rightmove.
When all types of property are brought into the equation, the average price dips a little to £983,445, making Brookmans Park officially more expensive than nearby Welham Green (£604,564) and Potters Bar (£496,283), but cheaper than Northaw (£1,070,231).
In the past year house prices in Brookmans Park were up 8 per cent on 2016 and 13 per cent on 2015, when they averaged £870,889.
Homes currently on the market in Brookmans Park include a six-bed, 6,550 sq ft mega mansion on Brookmans Avenue, which has a guide price of £3,950,000. A two-bed new build apartment on George’s Wood Road has a relatively affordable asking price of £700,000.
Amenities
The village centre has a great mix of amenities, including a newsagents, traditional butcher, baker, fishmonger, greengrocer, post office and library – an endearing selection which adds to the charm of Brookmans Park.
With lovely places to eat and drink, peaceful walking opportunities and an annual May Day celebration, residents of Brookmans Park agree that living there is well worth the money.
In the Church of England parish of North Mymms, the village is served by St Mary’s Church in North Mymms Park. There is also a United Reformed Church in Brookmans Park.
Schools
Well respected local schools include Brookmans Park Primary School and Chancellor’s, a secondary comprehensive. Popular with parents, they’re both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted and known for consistently high standards of education.
Hugely oversubscribed, the voluntary-aided Dame Alice Owen’s School, just down the road in Potters Bar, is widely acknowledged to be one of the best schools in the country. Rated ‘Outstanding’ at its last Ofsted inspection in 2009, you’ll be lucky to get in – some years there are more than a thousand applicants sitting the entrance exam, battling for 65 coveted places.
Transport
By rail, it’s 40 minutes to Moorgate and half an hour into King’s Cross from Brookmans Park Station. The nearby Potters Bar train station runs a fast service, getting into King’s Cross in just 15 minutes.
Halfway between the A1000 Hatfield Road (to the west) and A1(M) to the east, there are excellent road links for commuting purposes, travel and leisure.
Sport and leisure
Founded in 1930, Brookmans Park Golf Club has a full 18-hole course set in 204 acres of parkland.
Brookmans Park Lawn Tennis Club is similarly well equipped, with four floodlit artificial grass courts and two macadam courts. Its members regularly participate in regional tournaments.
Gobions Wood is home to a 36 hectare nature reserve. Managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, it is a great place to see bluebells in the spring and fungi in the autumn.
There’s also a youth club, provided by North Mymms Youth Project, and North Mymms Scout Group’s Beavers, Cubs and Scouts meet in the village.
Food and drink
Brookmans is a popular contemporary gastropub in Bradmore Green, which has recently undergone a revamp. It serves local ales and unfussy food all day, with regular specials.
Miller & Carter, Great North Road, is a stylish chain steakhouse, which prides itself on its sustainably-raised grass-fed British beef, burgers and ribs.
Cock O’ The North is a classic community pub with plenty of nooks and crannies, a British pub menu and garden seating.
For Indian cuisine, try Bengal Paradise in Great North Road, or Raj Tandoori, Bradmore Green, offering traditional Indian food from an old-fashioned curry house. Across the road, Methi is a Bangladeshi restaurant with a more modern vibe, great food and friendly service while China Red is a popular Cantonese restaurant.
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