Area Guide: Exploring the small hamlet of Childwickbury

The Childwickbury Estate can be accessed via a grand gatehouse on Harpenden Road, and is a slice of idyllic Herts countryside with some dazzling Hollywood associations.

Situated to the north of St Albans, the hamlet was the home of Stanley Kubrick, who directed films including 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange. 

Considered to be one of the most innovative filmmakers of all time, the director, producer and screenwriter lived at Childwickbury Manor with his third wife Christiane from 1978 until his death in 1999, at age 70. 

Kubrick's other screen credits include Stephen King adaptation The Shining, which was made at nearby Elstree Studios, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut - the latter of which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

For the American Kubrick, Childwickbury was more than just an English country home, as it also served as a workplace where he researched, wrote and edited his later films.

He died at his Childwickbury Manor home on March 7, 1999, just days after screening a cut of Eyes Wide Shut - his final movie.

A private funeral service was held in the garden at his estate, with mourners including Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and his then-wife Nicole Kidman, as well as fellow director Steven Spielberg. 

Christiane Kubrick, who is an artist, still lives at Childwickbury Manor, which used to host an annual arts fair until Christiane felt it was time to retire at 90. 

Local historian Christine Aitken described Childwickbury as "an immaculate hamlet", and when properties come on the market they are often eye-wateringly expensive.

History 

The estate was once known as "the dwellings by the well", and has a long and complex history which historians are still researching today.

From the 13th to the 19th century, Childwickbury Manor had among its owners a St Albans bailiff, an MP, the mayor of the city and the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

The latter two owners were members of the Toulmin family, who also provided and funded a school in the late 1850s and in 1867 built the church of St Mary's on Childwick Green. 

The manor was bought in 1883 by John Blundell Maple, of Maples Fine Furnishing in London. 

(Image: Google Map)

Maple donated Clarence Park and The Sisters Hospital to the citizens of St Albans, and is interred in the family vault in St Mary's churchyard. 

In around 1895, the old domestic houses on Childwick Green were pulled down, replaced and extended. 

Estate houses then appeared at Shafford, Beesonend Lane, Ayres End Lane and Maple Cottages, adjacent to Harpenden Common. 

The imposing entrance lodge of Childwickbury Manor was built in 1897 - with its Scottish baronial style turret and wrought iron gate. 

The Jacobean style Childwick Green House was built in the same year on the main entrance drive.  

St Mary's Church  

St Mary's Church is based in Childwick Green, and was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and commissioned by Henry Joseph Toulmin in 1867.

A schoolroom is adjoined to the church, where Henry and his wife taught reading and writing to the tenants of the estate. 

The eighth of the couple's 14 children was born in 1881, and the Toulmins decided they could no longer afford to live at Childwickbury so moved to The Pre in St Albans. 

The Faith, Hope and Charity windows at the church's chancel are in memory of the Toulmin family and their dedicated work throughout the community. 

Property  

Homes in Childwickbury, with its AL3 postcode, rarely come on the market - but when they do they're usually pretty special.

Currently on the market is a two-bedroom terraced cottage at Childwick Green for £850,000.

(Image: Google Map)

Schools  

Primary schools nearby include Margaret Wix, which was given a 'good' rating by Ofsted, and Garden Fields JMI School in Townsend Drive, which is now part of Alban Academies Trust. 

Options for secondary schools in the area include Townsend School (rated 'good') and St Albans Girls' School (rated 'outstanding').   

(Image: Google Maps)

This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (www.frosts.co.uk/branches) (Image: Frost's)