Living in Hitchin

The community in Hitchin is known for being welcoming, active, and strongly engaged with local life. The town benefits from a year-round calendar of events, with highlights including the Hitchin Festival, Rhythms of the World music festival, and a variety of seasonal fairs, Christmas markets, and charity fundraisers. Local organisations such as the Hitchin Initiative foster connections between residents, businesses, and community groups.

The presence of many independent shops, a weekly general market, and a bustling farmer’s market contribute to a strong sense of place and offer opportunities for locals to support small enterprises. Numerous clubs and societies meet throughout the town, covering interests from arts and crafts to local history and sports.

Green spaces like Windmill Hill and Butts Close provide outdoor relaxation, while riverside walks along the Hiz and close proximity to the Hertfordshire countryside encourage an active lifestyle. Community centres, such as the Woodside Hall, offer venues for social clubs, children's playgroups, and fitness classes, making Hitchin a connected and friendly place to live.

Safety in Hitchin is a key factor in its popularity as a residential area. The town generally records lower crime rates compared to national and regional averages, particularly when contrasted with larger nearby urban centres. The most common incidents reported tend to be related to anti-social behaviour or minor property crimes, with violent crime kept relatively low.

Hitchin has benefited from proactive community policing, with regular patrols and initiatives to engage residents and businesses on crime prevention. Neighbourhood Watch schemes also operate across several streets and local developments. More residential quarters and the northern and southern edges of town are considered particularly peaceful, while the town centre can experience busier periods, especially on weekends.

The sense of community in Hitchin contributes to its feeling of safety, and ongoing regeneration projects around the station and former industrial sites have improved public spaces and lighting in recent years.

Parking in Hitchin is generally convenient for both residents and visitors, though demand can be high in the town centre during market days and weekends. There is a mixture of short- and long-stay council car parks, as well as on-street parking, particularly around the central retail district. Resident permit parking schemes are in operation on some streets near the centre, helping to maintain access for those living nearby.

Road access is a strong attribute for Hitchin. The town is just a few minutes from the A1(M), which provides a direct link north to **Peterborough** or south to **London**. The A505 links **Luton** (approx. 10 miles, 20 minutes) to the west and **Royston** (approx. 17 miles, 30 minutes) to the east. The B656 and other country roads make accessing villages in North Hertfordshire and the countryside straightforward.

Congestion is typically moderate, with peak traffic mainly restricted to school run and rush hours. The bypass system helps to reduce through-traffic in the centre, maintaining a pleasant environment for shopping and dining.

Direct road access times:
Stevenage – approx. 15 minutes via A602 (7 miles)
Luton – approx. 20 minutes via A505 (10 miles)
Bedford – approx. 30 minutes via A600/A6 (20 miles)
Cambridge – approx. 45 minutes via A505/A10 (35 miles)

Hitchin’s food and nightlife scene is well-regarded across Hertfordshire, thanks to its mix of independent eateries, lively pubs, and specialist markets. The area around Market Place is dotted with thriving cafés and restaurants offering cuisines from around the world, including Italian, Indian, Turkish, Persian, Thai, and traditional British fare. Several popular options include Los Reyes Tapas Bar, Hermitage Rd. Bar & Restaurant, and Indian restaurant Chilli Lounge.

Pubs are a key feature of social life in Hitchin, ranging from old coaching inns like The Half Moon to modern bars and microbreweries such as The Vic and The Radcliffe Arms. The town also boasts numerous cosy cafés, bakeries, and tearooms.

For nightlife, residents can visit bars and late-night venues including Osinsky’s and Pitcher & Piano, while the Queen Mother Theatre provides cultural entertainment with regular stage productions. Specialist food markets and the annual Hitchin Food & Drink Festival bring the community together and celebrate the diversity of local produce.

Overall, Hitchin offers a vibrant but relaxed social scene appealing to a wide range of tastes, from family-friendly bistros to lively weekend hotspots.

School Quality: Hitchin’s schools have a strong reputation, with both primaries and secondaries rated highly by Ofsted and featuring exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Parks and Green Space: Families benefit from excellent access to parks such as Windmill Hill, Bancroft Gardens, and Butts Close, while the famous Hitchin Lavender fields and wider countryside offer additional options for days out.

Childcare: There are a range of nurseries, preschools, and after-school clubs supporting parents across the town. Childminders and holiday activity programmes are also widely available.

Safety: Hitchin is known as a secure and well-cared-for town, with low crime rates contributing to the sense of parental comfort.

Family Activities: Activities for families include swimming and sports at Hitchin Swimming Centre, children’s theatre at the Queen Mother Theatre, and annual family-friendly festivals and community events. The close-knit atmosphere and supportive facilities make Hitchin particularly suitable for families seeking a safe and stimulating environment.

Hitchin is a notably pet-friendly place to live, with multiple green spaces, riverside walks, and open countryside nearby. Windmill Hill offers a spacious park ideal for dog-walking, while the linear path along the River Hiz and access to the Icknield Way and Wymondley Woods provide additional routes for both routine strolls and longer weekend outings.

Local veterinary practices and pet shops are well represented throughout the town, and many of the town’s pubs and cafés welcome dogs with water bowls and pet treats. Housing stock in Hitchin is generally amenable to pets, particularly in family homes with gardens or near parks.

The general culture is accommodating of pets in public spaces and housing, supporting a community of responsible and active pet owners.

Transport links in Hitchin are a major advantage for residents, providing convenient access to both local and national destinations. The town is served by Hitchin railway station, which lies on the East Coast Main Line. Regular direct services connect Hitchin with London King's Cross and St Pancras International, making the town a popular base for commuters needing fast access to the capital. Typical journey times to central London are around 30 minutes.

Bus services offer routes to surrounding towns such as Luton, Stevenage, and Letchworth, supporting easy local travel for work, education, or shopping. Key trunk roads in the area include the A1(M), which is accessible within a few minutes’ drive and provides a swift north-south route, and the A505, which offers connections towards Luton and Bedford.

London Luton Airport is approximately 10 miles west of Hitchin, providing both domestic and international flights, and is reached in under 20 minutes by car or local bus. The location of Hitchin makes it practical for commuting to major local employment centres and beyond:

• London King’s Cross – approx. 32 minutes by train
• Cambridge – approx. 40 minutes by train
• Luton – approx. 19 minutes by car via A505 (10 miles)
• Stevenage – approx. 12 minutes by train

These transport links make Hitchin a standout choice for those looking to balance access to London and the wider southeast with the advantages of life in a historic market town.

Schools in Hitchin are among the most highly regarded in Hertfordshire, contributing significantly to the town’s appeal for families. The area combines a strong choice of both state and independent schools, with primary and secondary education well served.

Primary Schools:
Hitchin is home to some highly rated primary schools. William Ransom Primary School enjoys an excellent reputation and was rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2013. Samuel Lucas Junior Mixed and Infant School (Ofsted ‘Outstanding’, 2017) is centrally located and popular among local families. Ickleford Primary School, just north of the town, also has an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating (2015), while Our Lady Catholic Primary School offers another well-regarded option for primary education.

Secondary Schools:
The Priory School (Ofsted ‘Good’, 2018) serves the west of Hitchin and offers a broad curriculum. Hitchin Boys' School (Ofsted ‘Outstanding’, 2021) and Hitchin Girls' School (Ofsted ‘Outstanding’, 2013) are both highly sought after, selective schools with strong academic performance and a full programme of extracurricular activities. These schools regularly feature in county and national rankings.

Colleges & Further Education:
North Hertfordshire College, with its main campus nearby in Stevenage, offers a range of vocational and academic courses for older students in Hitchin and the wider area. The Sixth Form at both Hitchin Boys' and Girls' Schools also attracts students from across the district.

Universities:
There are no universities in Hitchin itself, but nearby options include the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield (approximately 30 minutes’ drive), making higher education easily accessible for local students.