Is Aston a Nice Place to Live?

Aston is a small village located on the outskirts of Stevenage in Hertfordshire. Despite its proximity to the larger town, it maintains a distinctly rural character that sets it apart from the more urban parts of Stevenage. The village offers a quiet lifestyle with countryside views and a tight-knit community feel. That said, this rural charm comes with trade-offs – fewer amenities on your doorstep and a reliance on having your own transport. Local opinion tends to view Aston as a peaceful escape from busier nearby areas, though some residents do grumble about the limited local facilities.

Is Aston safe?

Safety is one of Aston’s strong points. The village experiences significantly lower crime rates than the regional average, particularly for burglaries. When incidents do occur, they’re more likely to be concentrated in nearby Stevenage rather than in Aston itself.

The village benefits from its rural setting and small population, creating a community where people tend to know their neighbours – always a natural deterrent to crime. Local residents often mention the village’s relative tranquility as a major selling point, with many leaving doors unlocked during the day (though we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this practice).

The nearest police station is in Stevenage, but response times are generally considered acceptable by residents. The local Neighbourhood Watch scheme is fairly active, with updates shared via the village Facebook group and community noticeboards.

Is Aston a nice place to live for families?

Aston has become increasingly popular with families seeking a village lifestyle within commuting distance of larger towns and cities. The community atmosphere is particularly valued by parents, who appreciate the ‘everyone knows everyone’ feel that’s become rare in more urban settings.

Parks and Recreation

The village playground provides a decent, if modest, play area for younger children. It’s well-maintained by the parish council and offers basic equipment suitable for primary school-aged children. During summer months, the village green becomes an informal gathering spot for families, with impromptu cricket matches and picnics a common sight.

The annual village fete in July is a highlight of the family calendar, featuring traditional games, local food stalls, and typically ending with a tug-of-war competition that pits different parts of the village against each other – all good-natured fun that epitomises village life.

Schools

Schooling is a bit of a mixed picture for Aston families. The village itself doesn’t have its own school, meaning children need to travel to nearby areas. Most primary-aged children attend schools in nearby parts of Stevenage such as Featherstone Wood Primary or Shephalbury Park Primary, both rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.

For secondary education, Barnwell School in Stevenage is the most common choice, also rated ‘Good’. However, parents should be aware that catchment areas can be competitive, and living in Aston doesn’t guarantee admission to these schools. Some families have found themselves having to look further afield, which can add complexity to the school run.

The limited school bus service means that having your own transport is almost essential for families with school-aged children living in Aston.

Is Aston expensive?

There’s no sugar-coating it – Aston commands a premium compared to many parts of Stevenage. With an overall average house price of £525,000 over the last year, it’s significantly more expensive than nearby urban areas. This “village premium” reflects the rural character and larger properties that dominate the housing stock.

Detached properties make up the majority of sales, averaging around £570,000, while the few terraced properties that change hands typically go for about £475,000. Semi-detached homes offer slightly better value at around £380,000, but they’re in limited supply.

The north side of the village, with its larger plots and better views across open countryside, tends to command the highest prices. Properties along Aston End Road are particularly sought-after and rarely come to market.

The rental market in Aston is extremely limited, with very few properties becoming available. When rentals do appear, they’re quickly snapped up, often before they’re widely advertised. This scarcity means that renting in Aston can be challenging, with would-be tenants often having to look to Stevenage proper instead.

For those priced out of Aston, nearby Bedwell or Shephall in Stevenage offer more affordable options while still providing decent access to Aston’s countryside.

What transport links are there?

Transport is perhaps Aston’s weakest point. The village has limited public transport options, with infrequent bus services to Stevenage town centre. Most residents rely heavily on private cars for daily transport needs.

The nearest railway station is Stevenage, approximately 3 miles away, offering direct services to London King’s Cross (around 25-30 minutes), Cambridge, and Peterborough. Many commuters drive to the station, though parking can be expensive and spaces fill up quickly on weekday mornings.

Road connections are reasonable, with the A1(M) accessible within a 10-minute drive, providing routes north to Peterborough and south towards London. The A602 connects to Ware and the A10, useful for journeys toward Hertford and Essex.

Cycling is popular among residents during summer months, with relatively quiet country lanes making for pleasant rides, though the lack of dedicated cycle paths means this isn’t ideal for daily commuting in poor weather.

What amenities are available in Aston?

Aston’s amenities are limited, reflecting its small village status. There’s no proper village shop, meaning residents typically drive to supermarkets in Stevenage for their weekly shop. The mobile library visits once a fortnight, which some older residents particularly value.

The Rose and Crown pub serves as the social hub of the village, offering decent pub grub and a friendly atmosphere. It hosts quiz nights every other Thursday which draw a good local crowd. The pub’s beer garden is particularly popular during summer months.

For fitness enthusiasts, there are a couple of gyms within driving distance, though nothing in the village itself. A small hair salon operates part-time from converted premises near the village green, but most residents head into Stevenage for a wider range of services.

Healthcare facilities are absent from the village itself, with residents registered at GP practices in Stevenage. The nearest pharmacy is also in Stevenage, roughly a 10-minute drive away.

What is the surrounding outdoor area like?

The countryside setting is undoubtedly one of Aston’s strongest selling points. The village is surrounded by rolling Hertfordshire farmland, with numerous footpaths offering excellent walking opportunities. The Beane Valley Walk passes close to the village, providing a scenic route along the River Beane that’s particularly lovely in spring and autumn.

Box Wood, on the eastern edge of the village, offers ancient woodland walks with impressive displays of bluebells in late April and early May. It’s a popular spot for dog walkers and weekend family strolls alike.

Fairlands Valley Park, though technically in Stevenage, is only a short drive away and offers more formal recreational facilities, including a sailing lake, fishing spots, and extensive playing fields.

Gardeners will appreciate the fertile soil in the area, with many properties boasting impressive gardens. The annual Aston Open Gardens event in June showcases some of the village’s horticultural highlights and has become increasingly popular with visitors from surrounding areas.

So, what’s the verdict?

Aston offers a genuine slice of rural village life within easy reach of Stevenage’s urban conveniences. For those seeking peace, community spirit, and countryside views, it delivers admirably. The safety aspect and natural surroundings make it particularly appealing to families and those looking to escape more hectic urban environments.

However, the limited amenities, transport challenges, and high property prices mean it’s not for everyone. Those who rely heavily on public transport or want shops and services on their doorstep will find the village lifestyle restrictive. The schooling situation also requires careful consideration for families with children.

In essence, Aston works best for those who can afford the premium prices, don’t mind driving for daily needs, and truly value the village atmosphere and rural setting. For the right person, it offers a quality of life that’s increasingly hard to find so close to good London connections.

What are the alternatives?

If Aston appeals but doesn’t quite fit your circumstances, several alternatives are worth considering. Knebworth, a few miles south, offers a slightly larger village with better amenities including its own railway station, though property prices are similarly high.

Datchworth provides a comparable village feel with its own primary school, potentially solving one of Aston’s drawbacks for families, but shares the limited public transport issues.

For those prioritising better value for money, the northern parts of Stevenage such as Great Ashby offer newer housing stock at lower prices while still providing quick access to countryside walks. The trade-off is a more suburban feel and busier surroundings.

Walkern, to the east, provides another authentic village option with the benefit of a village shop and primary school, though the commute to Stevenage station is slightly longer.