Why Live in Hitchin, Hertfordshire?
So, you’re thinking of moving to Hitchin. A beautiful town, voted one of the happiest places to live in East Hertfordshire in an ITV survey, and featured in multiple “Top 10 best places to live in the UK” lists. There are plenty of reasons why you should consider making the move. With a population of around 33,000, Hitchin is a thriving town, made up of numerous shops, good schools, and excellent transport links to London. Not only this, you are bound to fall in love with its charming cobbled streets, traditional architecture, and picturesque countryside. It all sounds pretty great so far, but let’s dive in a little further and fully answer the question: Why live in Hitchin?
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Shops
The popular medieval market town is home to a wealth of independent shops. It also has the largest open-air market in Hertfordshire. If you like to shop, then don’t be afraid to delve through the high street. You’ll find independent boutiques such as Riot Lounge, HRH Holmes and Jolly Brown, as well as market stools every Tuesday and Saturday. We’re not surprised that Hitchin was a champion finalist in 2019 for the Best British High Street.
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Food and Drink
However, Hitchin isn’t just for those that like to shop. It’s also the perfect place for foodies too. With over 30 local pubs, bars, takeaways and restaurants, there is a wide variety. Local gastro pubs such as The Victoria (The Vic), The Hermitage or The Albert are worth a visit for a pint and some food. For more a specific cuisine there is a choice of Italian, French, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Thai and even Japanese. There is no cuisine that’s missing! There are also several coffee shops, such as the Coffee Lab, where you can buy hand-roasted blends to brew at home.
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Amenities
In Hitchin, there’s a buzzing local arts scene, and an incredible community feel. Hitchin has two theatres – the Market Theatre and The Queen Mother Theatre. They present a variety of shows and productions which will keep you entertained all year round. Additionally, there’s plenty of gig nights at The Victoria Pub, live music at Club 85, and world-class classical concerts at Benslow Music Trust. There are also regular events in the market square, such as the car boot sale and the vegan festival (you can find the full list here). One of our personal favourites is the Rhythms of the World festival. Held in July, it hosts several events and productions celebrating the vibrant community and local life. Why live in Hitchin? Well, because you certainly won’t get bored!
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Leisure and Fitness
Living in Hitchin, you will find a wide range of sport and leisure facilities. If you’re into rugby, Hitchin Rugby Club, located at Old Hale Way, provide excellent opportunities for young and old to join. Cricket and Hockey are played at their super new ground with a grand clubhouse at Lucas Lane, over 200 juniors are playing Hockey during the week. There are further two tennis clubs at Bancroft Gardens and HBS. Bancroft also offers an impressive playing area and bowling green. Hitchin Swimming club is home to three swimming pools – two indoors – and one Lido. If you fancy a game of football, Hitchin Town FC is worth a visit, home of “The Canaries” and one of the oldest football clubs in the south. Moreover, there are several grassroots football clubs where boys and girls can enjoy this lively game.
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Countryside
Hitchin is surrounded by lovely countryside, ideal for dog walking, running and even mountain biking. Explore Windmill Hill or Hitchin Conservation Area to really relax and unwind at weekends or maybe take a stroll along the The River Lea or River Stort. With so many accessible footpaths, play areas and scenic parks, it’s hard to choose a favourite route. The beautiful Hitchin Lavender is also a tourist hotspot (especially for bloggers and Instagrammers), and is definitely worth a visit. During the current COVID climate, the opportunities to explore the countryside are a prime reason you should consider living in Hitchin.
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Commute
Another reason why you should consider living in Hitchin is its perfect location for London commuters. Just two miles from the A1(M) and only 10 miles from the M1, London is a 30-mile drive away. However, if you don’t fancy the drive to the capital, it will take you under 30 minutes to get to St Pancras during peak times by train. Excellent railway lines also make it easy to get to the north.
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Schools
Hitchin has a fantastic reputation when it comes to schooling. Ofsted has recently rated many of the town’s primary and secondary schools as “outstanding”. Additionally, the popular Hitchin boys’ school and Hitchin girls’ school are some of the best in the country. Compared to the rest of the UK, the schools in Hitchin also have above-average performance levels. According to the Quality of Life Survey 2020, Hitchin students are achieving excellent exam results!
If you are interested in further education, North Hertfordshire college is located in Hitchin. The college offers a variety of courses across a range of subjects. Travel only 30 minutes by car, and you can reach the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Bedfordshire, and the world-renowned Cambridge University. All Universities rank in the top 200 globally. The University of Bedfordshire ranks 122nd in the University League Tables 2020, while Cambridge University ranks number two in the UK (and number 3 worldwide).
Suppose you’re a parent of a baby or toddler. In that case, there are many groups in the area that meet regularly, and there are also a variety of educational activities at North Herts leisure centre.
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An All-Round Winner
So, what’s the verdict? There is clearly an abundance of reasons why to live in Hitchin. From its shops, restaurants, and bars, to its health and wellbeing, to its fabulous schooling system. So, what are you waiting for?
Still considering other Hertfordshire locations? Why not check out our Why Live in St Albans blog!
