Radlett is a large, thriving village in Hertfordshire, with plenty of multi-million pound homes. We found out more about this affluent area...
Situated between St Albans and Elstree, Radlett is one of the wealthiest parts of the county and regularly features in lists of the 'best places to live' in the UK.
Population
According to the 2021 census, Radlett has a population of 10,060.
The village falls under the remit of Hertsmere Borough Council and has a large Jewish population - recorded in the census as making up 29.59 per cent of all residents.
Watling Street, the main road running through Radlett, has a number of businesses catering for the Jewish community, including kosher butcher Silvermans, a Jewish-style bagel bakery, patisserie and delicatessen, and a kosher deli.
The village also has two synagogues - the Radlett United Synagogue and Radlett Reform Synagogue.
Famous former residents of Radlett include Simon Cowell, who went to school in the village, and ex-Girls Aloud star Cheryl, who in 2017 left her home just off Watling Street for a new (and temporary) life with One Direction's Liam Payne.
Celebrity chef Gino D'Acampo and his wife Jessica used to frequent a gym in Radlett when they lived in nearby Elstree.
Over the years a number of Arsenal and Tottenham players have lived in the area, due to the proximity to the clubs' respective training grounds.
Composer Jeff Wayne also lives in the Radlett area.
History
The road now known as Watling Street existed during Roman times, and took people from Londinium (London) to Verulamium (St Albans) - passing through the site of modern day Radlett.
Radlett's name is thought to derive from the Old English word for junction, and a settlement with that name has existed since as far back as 1453.
The settlement previously comprised of just clusters of farms and dwellings, while the area as it is today has been largely created since the 19th century.
The village became a real community with the arrival of the railway, when the Midland Railway Service was extended from Bedford into London. A station was built in Radlett in 1860.
In the 20th century, Handley Page built aircraft at what was then the Radlett Aerodrome. The former airfield site is now the subject of a long-running dispute over a proposed rail freight depot.
Property
Properties in Radlett do not come cheap, with most in significant excess of £1million.
Currently on the market is a five-bedroom detached house at The Warren for £3,500,000 and a six-bedroom detached house at Watling Street for £3,999,000.
Schools
There are three state schools in Radlett - Newberries Primary, Fair Field Junior School and St John's Church of England Infant and Nursery School - all of which have been rated 'good' by Ofsted.
Fee-paying options include Edge Grove, an independent day school in Aldenham for boys and girls aged three to 13, and Radlett Preparatory, a day school for children aged four to 11 which lists Simon Cowell among its former pupils.
Transport
Radlett is a commuter hotspot - nearby to the M25 and M1, and with a train service to London St Pancras which takes less than half an hour.
Sport and leisure
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy cricket, rugby and golf clubs in the village.
Radlett Cricket Club's grounds are at Cobden Hill, which is occasionally used by Middlesex for first class matches.
The famous Samuel Ryder - originator of the Ryder Cup - was a former golf club member.
For racket sports, there is also Radlett Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
The village's main entertainment venue is the Radlett Centre in Aldenham Avenue, which shows a wide variety of performances throughout the year.
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