Is Buckland a Nice Place to Live?

Buckland is a tiny hamlet in East Hertfordshire, sitting on the edge of the A10 just north of Buntingford. This minuscule settlement often gets overlooked when people consider Hertfordshire living options, and with good reason – there’s not much of it to speak of! With just a handful of properties and minimal amenities, Buckland represents rural English living in its most stripped-back form. The hamlet offers exceptional tranquility and countryside views, but comes with significant limitations that potential residents should consider before making the move.

Is Buckland safe?

When it comes to safety, Buckland benefits from its tiny size and remote location. Crime is virtually non-existent within the hamlet itself – there simply aren’t enough people or properties to generate significant criminal activity!

Looking at the broader area around Buckland, crime rates sit well below the regional average, with figures showing roughly half the typical crime levels found across Hertfordshire. Most reported incidents tend to be clustered around nearby Buntingford rather than Buckland itself.

Local residents often cite safety as one of the key advantages of living in such a small community. As one local put it, “Everyone knows everyone here – it’s the sort of place where you could leave your door unlocked, though nobody actually does that anymore, of course!”

Is Buckland a nice place to live for families?

Buckland presents a mixed proposition for families. The peaceful environment and lack of traffic make it appealing in some ways, but the absence of facilities creates significant challenges.

Schools

Buckland itself has no schools, so families must look to nearby settlements for education. The nearest primary schools are found in Buntingford, with Layston C of E First School and Millfield First School both serving the area.

For secondary education, Freman College in Buntingford is the closest option. While not rated Outstanding, it maintains a solid Good rating and serves as the main secondary option for the area.

The outstanding primary schools mentioned in data are located significantly further afield in other parts of Hertfordshire or neighboring counties, making them impractical choices for Buckland residents without significant daily travel.

Family Activities

Buckland offers almost nothing in terms of playgrounds, clubs or structured children’s activities. Families living here typically drive to Buntingford or further afield for such amenities. The compensation is direct access to countryside walks and cycling routes.

The demographic in Buckland skews older, with relatively few families with young children choosing to make their home in the hamlet due to these limitations. Those who do tend to have their own transport and are comfortable with the need to travel for most activities.

Is Buckland expensive?

Property in Buckland comes at a premium, reflecting its desirable rural location and the scarcity of available homes. The hamlet has very few properties, and they rarely come to market, creating something of a seller’s market when they do.

Detached properties in the area can command prices upwards of £750,000, with larger homes pushing well beyond the million-pound mark. The rental market is virtually non-existent – with only occasional properties becoming available, typically at the higher end of the market.

When larger family homes do appear for rent, they typically command around £2,500 per month, putting them out of reach for many potential residents.

Nearby Buntingford offers more affordable options while still providing countryside proximity, with average prices roughly 15-20% lower than Buckland’s limited housing stock. For those seeking the rural lifestyle without the premium price tag, villages like Anstey or Wyddial might offer better value while maintaining the countryside setting.

What transport links are there?

Transport is perhaps Buckland’s biggest challenge. The hamlet has virtually no public transport to speak of. The nearest railway station is Royston, approximately 8 miles away, or Ware at a similar distance. Both require a car journey to reach.

Bus services are extremely limited, with infrequent services connecting to Buntingford. For residents of Buckland, car ownership is essentially mandatory rather than optional.

The proximity to the A10 does provide good road connections to Cambridge to the north (approximately 25 miles) and London to the south (roughly 35 miles), making it theoretically possible to commute, though the journey times would be substantial.

Local residents joke that the transport situation is “medieval” – you either have your own horse (or car), or you’re not going anywhere in a hurry!

What amenities are available in Buckland?

Bluntly put, Buckland has essentially no amenities within the hamlet itself. There are no shops, pubs, restaurants, or healthcare facilities. Residents must travel to Buntingford for even the most basic services.

Buntingford, about 2 miles away, offers a small high street with essential shops, a couple of pubs, a small supermarket and a pharmacy. For more substantial shopping or leisure facilities, residents typically travel to Bishop’s Stortford, Royston, or Cambridge.

The complete lack of amenities in Buckland itself means that living here requires planning ahead and being comfortable with regular car journeys for even basic necessities. This is country living in its purest, most challenging form.

What is the surrounding outdoor area like?

The surrounding countryside is undoubtedly Buckland’s greatest asset. The hamlet sits in beautiful rolling Hertfordshire landscape, with numerous footpaths and bridleways offering excellent walking opportunities.

Nearby Buckland Common provides open green space, while the River Rib valley offers picturesque walking routes. The hamlet sits on the edge of the expansive East Hertfordshire countryside, with the Hertfordshire Way long-distance path passing nearby.

For more formal outdoor spaces, residents typically visit Reed or Barkway, or head to Royston Heath or Therfield Heath for larger recreational areas.

So, what’s the verdict?

Buckland offers an extremely niche living proposition. Those seeking absolute rural tranquility, beautiful countryside views, and a tiny community will find it appealing. However, the complete lack of amenities, limited housing stock, premium prices, and poor transport connections make it unsuitable for many.

It’s best suited to relatively affluent retirees or those who work from home, have reliable transportation, and don’t mind frequent journeys for basic services. Families with children may find the logistics challenging unless they’re committed to the rural lifestyle and prepared to drive children to all activities.

The hamlet represents a lifestyle choice rather than a practical living location – those choosing Buckland are deliberately selecting isolation and tranquility over convenience.

What are the alternatives?

For those attracted to the area but concerned about Buckland’s limitations, several alternatives offer a better balance of rural charm and practical living:

Buntingford itself provides significantly more amenities while still maintaining a small-town feel, with lower property prices and a more diverse housing stock. It offers the basics of daily life without requiring constant travel.

Nearby villages like Anstey, Wyddial or Reed offer similar countryside settings but with slightly better transport links or closer proximity to larger settlements. Aspenden, just south of Buntingford, offers rural charm with the convenience of being walking distance from Buntingford’s facilities.

For those requiring better connections to London, villages further south like Puckeridge or Standon might prove more practical while still offering countryside living, albeit with more traffic and development.