For 43 years, from 1963 to 2006, my wife and I lived in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Radlett
is a small town of about 10,000 people. It is situated along the London - Bedford
railway line, about 20 miles north of central London. It only started to develop
properly in the mid-19th century, although it is also sited on the route of the old
Roman road called Watling Street, and there are ancient brick kilns to be found in
the area dating back to Roman times. It lies in a valley which it shares with the
railway line and a waterway called Tykeswater. This is usually just a stream, but
is occasionally prone to flooding.
The general area has remained substantially unchanged since Saxon times, when the
land was mainly owned by the Abbots of Westminster Abbey in London. In medieval times
the abbots, who were the lords of the Manor of Aldenham, close to Radlett, encouraged
cultivation by tenant yeoman farmers in areas cleared of woodlands.
In spite of this ancient history nearby, the community of Radlett dates back only
some 140 years. Only the evidence of the ancient potters operating in the 3rd century
take us back before the Middle Ages. It was the Midland Railway main line, built
in the 1860s through the valley of the Tykeswater, with a station at Radlett, which
secured the future of the village.
In the last few years, the general character of the village has changed, - at least,
it has in our opinion. It has become much more affluent - more millionares than in
any other like-sized towns in the country, so I'm told. Money and possessions seem
to be the only focus for many residents, 4 x 4s abound, houses are bought, demolished
and rebuilt, with basement, 4 - 5 bathrooms, etc., or if the garden is a large one,
then build another six houses on it and move away! Although we still have many friends
in Radlett, it became no longer the place where we wanted to live. We sold up, shared
the proceeds to help our children with their housing, and moved into a neighbouring
village which is very friendly and welcoming, and with much more reasonably priced
properties.
My Family Home
(Radlett, Hertfordshire, UK)
Our new home - just three miles away in Bricket Wood village.
