There are plenty of posh places to live across the UK. And in the picture perfect Hertfordshire town of Harpenden it also seems like the residents are quite smug about it.
In a blistering review of the location on satirical website I Live Here the writer calls it “the smuggest town in the smuggest county” as locals sip from mugs that say “I’m terribly posh, I’m from Harpenden”.
The author adds: “Clearly intended to be slightly tongue in cheek but in practice bought by people whose tongues are less in their cheeks and more worming into their own self-entitled a**eholes.”
But given the town has so much on offer, a little bit of smugness might be warranted – as it’s also been dubbed the UK’s most desirable place to live with its pretty cricket green, upmarket high street shops and great schools.
The area also recently hit the headlines for being the UK’s as it has house prices that are triple the national average.
Rightmove states that properties in Harpenden had an overall average price of £953,929 over the last year – with detached properties sold for an average of £1,419,486. This compares to a national average of £290,000 in July 2023.
The area has a wealth of independent businesses which are often praised by locals and visitors alike.
Isabella McRae, a reporter at HertsLive, wrote: “While towns across the county have seen shop after shop shut down as big chains take over, Harpenden still has a number of thriving independents.
“There is Threads, a gorgeous independent store which is perfect for picking up gifts and birthday cards.
“You might also try Oui, a lovely women’s clothing shop, or B.J. Copestick, a family-run store which sells jewellery of the very best quality.”
The reporter added that its easy commutability to London was also a major draw for those who choose to live in the town.
She said: “It’s just a 20-minute train journey from Harpenden to St Pancras International, which makes it a convenient choice for people working in the city.”
A former resident shared his thoughts on the upmarket location for Telegraph saying that if he was to “have an AI machine were to draw up a model commuter town, it would look a lot like Harpenden”.
Senior travel writer Greg Dickinson added: “There is a burgeoning food and drink scene in the town, an expansive grassy park at its heart, a magnificent country pile on its outskirts, and a new arts centre bringing some cultural sunshine to the town.
