Area Guide: The thriving Bernards Heath area of St Albans

The majority of homes in Bernards Heath were built during the Victorian era - notably the cluster of properties between Sandpit Lane and Sandridge Road, with its rows of mostly semi-detached and terraced houses.

Further north the houses get bigger and more modern, with some huge homes dotted along Sandridge Road.

Properties currently on the market in Bernards Heath include a four-bed Victorian bay-fronted house on Holywell Hill for £895,000, a three-bed Victorian terrace house on Hart Road for £825,000, and a two-bed Victorian house on Sopwell Lane for £650,000. 

Amenities 

Amenities in Bernards Heath include a Londis convenience store - also known as the Hovis shop - on Sandridge Road.

Meanwhile the parade of shops on Beech Road offer a wider range of options, including a Tesco Express, a barbers and a pharmacy, as well as a Shell petrol station next door.

Food and drink 

There is a pub on either end of Sandridge Road - The Jolly Sailor and the King William IV - while the Little Star Café sits between the two.

Amrit Indian restaurant at the start of St Peter's Street, has proven to be a popular replacement for the highly regarded Devdas, while there is also a fish and chip shop, Master Fryer, on Beech Road, as well as a Pizza Hut and Gourmet Kitchen Chinese takeaway.

For residents who live at the St Peter's Street end of Bernards Heath, the city centre is just a five-minute walk away, while Marshalswick's busy Quadrant shopping centre is another retail option for those living further away from town.

Leisure and sport 

There is a children's playground with play equipment and a basketball hoop on the Heath, as well as an open field and wooded area - both of which are popular with dog walkers.

The allotments on Sandridge Road are well-used by locals, and can be accessed via Marshall Avenue.

A local community group, the Friends of Bernards Heath, works towards maintaining the Heath for everyone's enjoyment.

Heathlands Drive boasts the Pioneer Club, which is home to the oldest indoor skate park in the UK. The club also has a live music venue, and both areas are available for hire.

Transport links 

The M25, M1 and A1(M) are easily accessible by car, while St Albans City station is under 15 minutes away on foot from the Sandpit Lane side of Bernards Heath.

The Abbey station, which has trains to Watford, is a little further away.

History 

The Heath is of historical significance - as it was a site of the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461, during the Wars of the Roses. It was originally gifted to the Abbey in 793 by King Offa of Mercia.

The Heath was also the site of clay pits, and bricks were made there for nearly 500 years - until the early 20th century.

Another historically significant area is Beech Bottom Dyke, on Beech Road, which was constructed as a territorial boundary during the Iron Age.

Until at least 1752, the Heath was the site for public executions in St Albans. Far less gruesomely, it was also the home of Hertfordshire county cricket ground for a time in the 19th century.

A more recent claim to fame is the St Albans sinkhole of 2015, which is located immediately north of the Heath on Fontmell Close.

Schools 

Bernards Heath residents are spoilt for choice of local schools. Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School was rated 'good' by Ofsted at its latest inspection, while the nearby junior school was rated 'outstanding'. These three-form entry schools have an intake of 90 pupils per year.

Other primary schools nearby include Maple, Alban City and Garden Fields, all of which are rated 'good' by Ofsted.

Secondary school options include St Albans Girls' School (STAGS) and Sandringham (both rated 'outstanding'), as well as Verulam boys' school and Townsend Church of England School (both rated 'good').

This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (Image: Frost's)