Area Guide: The Hertfordshire town of Rickmansworth

The upmarket and bustling town of Rickmansworth is just inside the M25, about five miles west of Watford, and even has its own Tube station.

Rickmansworth is situated mostly to the north of the Grand Union canal and the River Colne, and regularly crops up on lists of the most expensive places to live.

Of course living in such a high-end area doesn't come cheap. According to Rightmove, properties in Rickmansworth had an overall average price of £725,787 over the last year. 

The majority of sales in Rickmansworth in the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £1,303,943.

Flats sold for an average of £323,120, with semi-detached properties fetching £675,567. 

Homes currently for sale locally include a four-bedroom family home on Home Farm Road for £1,850,000 and a three-bedroom terrace property on Bury Lane for £1,000,000.

(Image: Danny Loo)

History   

Rickmansworth is steeped in history, as there has been a settlement in the area since as far back as the Stone Age.

In the 8th century, the town was granted to the Abbot of St Albans by King Offa.

The Manor of the More - which stood on the grounds of what is now Moor Park - was occupied between 1520 and 1530 by Henry VIII's notorious Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Henry VIII himself also visited regularly.

Rickmansworth is known for its three rivers: Colne, Chess and Grade, which helped to establish an economy in the town due to a thriving watercress trade.

As a claim to fame, the town played a role in the building of the original Wembley Stadium, as gravel from local quarries was used in its construction.

William Penn, the famous explorer and founder of Pennsylvania, also lived in Rickmansworth.

Penn's former home - at Basing House, on High Street - is now used as The Three Rivers Museum. 

Leisure and sport  

One of the biggest attractions in the area is Rickmansworth Aquadrome, which is a public park and local nature reserve. 

The park features two lakes, woodland walks, children's play areas, a restaurant and open green spaces which are ideal for picnics.

The surrounding lakes also offer an opportunity for water sports - including water-skiing, canoeing and sailing. 

Fitness enthusiasts can also visit the William Penn Leisure Centre on Shepherds Lane, which has a gym, swimming pools, fitness studios and a floodlit artificial football pitch.  

(Image: Danny Loo)

There are plenty of scenic routes along the canalside for walkers and joggers to enjoy.

Transport links  

London is easily accessible, with the M25 just minutes away. For rail links, there are trains on the London to Aylesbury line and the Metropolitan Line Tube service from London to Amersham.

Bus services connect the ton to surrounding areas, including Hemel Hempstead, Garston and Heathrow Airport.

(Image: Danny Loo)

Schools  

Rickmansworth has good options for schools - with local primaries include Rickmansworth Park Junior Mixed and Infant School and St Mary’s Church of England School, all of which have been rated 'good' by Ofsted.

St Clement Danes in neighbouring Chorleywood is an 'outstanding'-rated secondary school, while St Joan of Arc Catholic School is rated ‘good’ and Rickmansworth School is also rated 'outstanding'. 

Rickmansworth is just a short drive away from Watford, which is home to the 'outstanding' semi-selective Watford Grammar School for Boys, and the equivalent girls' school, although unfortunately both of these are over-subscribed. 

Food and drink  

There is a range of cuisine on offer in the town centre, from Thai food at Tamarind or Chinese at the deceptively named Mexica Buffet, both of which are on Station Road. 

Meanwhile the extremely popular and award-winning Cinnamon Square bakery is based in a 400-year-old building on Church Street.

(Image: Danny Loo)

There are also lots of options for pubs and bars, including The Fox & Hounds and The Feathers.

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