Knebworth is an unassuming Hertfordshire village that is also home to one of Britain's most celebrated and popular live music venues and movie locations. We found out more about the area...
The village is south of Stevenage and just a stone's throw away from the A1(M) - and is just a short drive east of the smaller village of Old Knebworth.
The area's best-known attraction is the Grade II* Knebworth House - which is an imposing, turreted, gargoyle-clad building in an amalgamation of Tudor, Gothic and Victorian styles.
Knebworth House is owned by the Lytton family, and its most famous resident was Victorian novelist and playwright Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton - who famously coined the phrase 'the pen is mightier than the sword'.
Charles Dickens visited the Lyttons and wrote many letters to Edward.
The house has also featured in countless Hollywood movies, including the 2010 Oscar-winner The King's Speech, which starred Colin Firth as Prince Albert - the future King George VI.
It was also a filming location for Paddington 2, starring Hugh Grant, and doubled as Wayne Manor for Tim Burton's 1989 version of Batman.
Knebworth House has hosted many of the world's most famous music acts, from Queen and The Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin and Oasis.
It was Liam Gallagher's turn to headline Knebworth as a solo act last summer.
The grounds are also well worth a visit for their 250-acre deer park and beautiful gardens - while kids can enjoy the dinosaur trail and Fort Knebworth adventure playground.
Shops and restaurants
Knebworth boasts a bustling high street, with a Co-op shop, a Post Office, a florist, several estate agents' offices and a handful of takeaways, alongside other amenities.
Park Lane in Old Knebworth is home to the popular pub The Lytton Arms.
The original building was designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens - the brother-in-law of Lord Lytton.
This building has since been converted to a private resident, next door to the current Lytton Arms, which was constructed in 1877.
The pub is a popular spot, offering real ales, an extensive food menu and a beer garden with beautiful views.
Property
According to Rightmove, sold prices in Knebworth over the last year were four per cent up on the previous year and similar to the 2020 peak of £403,415.
Homes currently on the market locally include a five-bed detached bungalow on Oakfields Avenue for £1.1m and a two-bed end of terrace on Westland Road for £450,000.
Schools
Knebworth Primary and Nursery School has been at the heart of the village for more than 100 years.
While there are more than 400 children on roll at the school, it prides itself on having a 'small school feel'.
The school was rated 'good' by Ofsted at its last inspection, and has a breakfast club each school day from 7.45pm and an after school club until 6pm.
For secondary school children nearby options include Barnwell middle and upper school and Marriotts School, which are both 'good'-rated co-ed state schools in nearby Stevenage.
Travel
Knebworth is within good travelling distance of the heart of London, with a direct train going from the village to King's Cross in just over half an hour.
The village also has convenient access to the A1(M), and regular bus routes connecting the village to the neighbouring towns of Hatfield, Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City - making it easy for residents to travel in and out.
Sports and leisure
There are multiple sports and leisure opportunities within Knebworth.
Knebworth Recreation Grounds are just a short stroll from the high street, which is an ideal place to let little ones run wild.
The recreation grounds also provide a base for Knebworth Youth FC, which offers teams for boys and girls from age three upwards.
In addition, there are tennis courts offering players of all ages the opportunity to participate.
Off Old Knebworth Lane, neighbouring the Knebworth House estate, you will find Knebworth Park Cricket Club, while there's also a Knebworth Golf Club.
Younger children can enjoy playgrounds in Lytton Fields and King George V Park amid vast open spaces, which are a perfect spot for picnics and dog walks in the summer months.
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