'Unbelievably cute' village crowned one of the best places to visit from London

A Hertfordshire village has been named one of the UK’s prettiest (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

A cosy pub with a roaring fire. The smell of freshly baked scones floating from the local bakery. Almost no phone signal.

This is what awaits visitors to Ashwell,a Hertfordshire village less than an hour away from London.

Located at the source of the River Cam — which eventually flows into Cambridge — this idyllic spot has been named on a list of the 15 prettiest villages near London,compiled by Condé Nast Traveller.

The publication celebrated Ashwell for its brewery scene (which dates back to the 1800s),and added that its ‘streets offer a scenic interlude northbound off the A1.’

TimeOut also recently placed it first in their list of ‘unbelievably cute’ villages near to London,citing Ashwell Springs as the perfect spot for a ‘picturesque picnic’.

As a Hertfordshire native,I’m not surprised to see Ashwell on the list. It’s exactly how you’d picture a classic English village to be: children playing,cyclists buddying up for weekend rides,and neighbours chatting over fences.

@itselizabethclaire A quick day out in Ashwell #ashwell #hertfordshire #england #uk #village #vlog #spring

♬ La dolce vita (In via Veneto) – Remastered 2017 – Carlo Savina

So if you fancy a day trip this spring,here’s everything you need to know about the ‘green oasis’ around 40 miles from the capital.

View More »

Cambridge,with its cobbled streets,university population,and sticky buns (from local legends Fitzbillies,no less),is also a 20-minute train ride away.

House prices in Ashwell

Fancy a more permanent move from the capital to the countryside?According to data from Rightmove,the average house here has sold for £402,944 over the last year,which exceeds the going rate across the UK by a good £31,000.That said,if you’re after a good alternative to the likes of Hitchin,where house prices level out at £491,314,then Ashwell is 20 minutes away,and that it cheaper.Do you have a story to share?