With its pretty red brick houses, stylish eateries, independent shops, and a 160-acre park for your fix of the great outdoors, it’s no wonder this stunning town is so coveted
A quaint market town located 45 miles from London has been hailed as one of the best places to live in the country.
Ampthill in Bedfordshire is much loved by locals for its array of stylish independent shops and restaurants, and it also has oodles of character – making it one of the most desirable areas to snap up a home.
It also has a tonne of outdoor attractions and activities, with a weekly Thursday market, local cricket, football and rugby clubs, and Ampthill Great Park, which boasts 160 acres of parkland and woodland and a children’s play area, forest school, tennis courts and cafe.
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And now the town has recently been recognised by Muddy Stilettos as part of their top 300 places to live – and it’s easy to see why.
When it comes to food and drink, there is no shortage of pubs in Ampthill. And, according to the publisher, the best foodie offering has got to be the listed, Queen-Anne-Style White Hart, which also has rooms to stay in.
“Fratelli and The Hide are popular mid-range lunch and dinner options, while eSKAbar Chill Grill is the only place for burgers, with Eileen’s by Steve Barringer (the Beds-born Head Chef was a runner-up in Masterchef: The Professionals!) being the top choice for something a bit fancy,” it says.
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Caffeine hunters, meanwhile, can check out the cool Surfin Café or try Cakestand & Crumb for cute vintage tearoom vibes.
There’s also no shortage of beauty salons, hair salons, and places to keep fit – from yoga to the gym and pilates.
Alongside the great park, attractions include the 17th-century Houghton House; Stewartby Lakes at the Forest of Marston Vale; and nearby Woburn with its Abbey and Safari Park.
There’s also a children’s theatre Full House in Ampthill, and a community cinema, Zonita, named after the 1937 Ampthill Picture House.
Parents and parents-to-be can also be assured by a number of good nurseries and schools, as well as some independent options.
Ampthill is full of narrow streets which are lined with Georgian buildings and beautiful thatched cottages. The average overall price for the town is around £430,200 and there are more affordable options, with terraces coming in at below £350,000, and semis just over £400,000. The larger red brick numbers can go for around £680,000.
The town is a real haven for historians with many great moments in Britain’s history taking place in and around the area. It is most famous for its links with the Tudor royals, which came about after the Battle of Agincourt after the building of the town’s castle.
It was here that Catherine of Aragon was held while Henry VIII was preparing to woo Anne Boleyn. When it fell into ruins, it became Ampthill House, which although is private property, has a public park which visitors are welcome to walk around and explore at their leisure.
Ampthill Park was named as Henry VIII’s favourite hunting place and was also the spot where Catherine of Aragon was incarcerated during their divorce. Visitors can see the spot where she was held by looking out for a stone cross when exploring the town.