Living in Rickmansworth

Rickmansworth is known for its strong sense of community and active local participation. Regular events such as the annual Rickmansworth Festival—held along the Grand Union Canal—attract visitors both local and from further afield, celebrating the town's waterways heritage with music, craft stalls and boat parades. Farmers’ markets, local fetes, and charity events help foster a community spirit all year round.

The Rickmansworth Aquadrome and Chorleywood Common provide open spaces for walking, jogging, or picnicking. Allotment societies, gardening clubs, and a busy community centre offer opportunities for residents to engage and connect.

Families benefit from child-friendly facilities, excellent schools, and inclusive clubs, while older residents enjoy the quieter pace of life and many volunteering opportunities. The area’s network of footpaths, bridleways, and scenic walks supports an outdoorsy and healthy lifestyle for all ages.

Rickmansworth is generally considered a safe place to live, benefitting from low crime rates when compared with many areas closer to London and other towns of a similar size. The area is largely residential with active community groups, Neighbourhood Watch schemes, and regular police liaison events contributing to a sense of security for residents.

Policing is overseen by Hertfordshire Constabulary, and visible patrols are a reassuring presence, especially in the town centre and parks. Crime rates in Rickmansworth are notably lower than national averages, with occasional reports typically centred around non-violent offences. Regeneration of public areas, improved street lighting, and investment in community safety projects have further bolstered local confidence.

Families, professionals, and retirees alike appreciate Rickmansworth’s reputation as a safe and friendly environment in which to live.

Parking in Rickmansworth is generally well managed, with a good mix of on-street and off-street options. The town centre provides several public car parks, most notably the Church Street and Talbot Road car parks. Resident permit schemes operate in some residential streets, ensuring local parking is available for those living centrally, while pay-and-display is common around shops and train station zones.

Rush hours can see increased demand for spaces near the station, but congestion is less of an issue than in major cities. The A404 provides swift access north and south, while the M25 motorway’s proximity ensures Rickmansworth is highly accessible by car.

Nearby destinations:

• Watford – approx. 12 minutes via A404 (5 miles)
• Uxbridge – approx. 13 minutes via A412 (6 miles)
• Hemel Hempstead – approx. 23 minutes via M25 (14 miles)
• London – approx. 40 minutes via M25 and A41 (20 miles)

Rickmansworth features a diverse offering of food and drink, reflecting its role as a hub for both locals and professionals commuting into London. Traditional pubs, such as The Feathers and The Pennsylvanian, offer historic character and riverside views. Food enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of restaurants, from Italian and Asian eateries to contemporary British bistros, including popular options like Zaza and The Cafe in the Park.

Cafés and bakeries are dotted throughout the town centre, serving coffee and pastries from early morning to late afternoon, while takeaway options cater for everything from classic fish-and-chips to fine Indian cuisine. The local social scene is generally relaxed, but there are several bars that stay open late and occasional live music events, particularly in summer. The town’s close ties to the countryside influence its menus, with several venues championing seasonal and locally sourced produce.

Although Rickmansworth doesn’t have a nightclub culture, neighbouring Watford provides theatres, cinemas, and late-night entertainment for those seeking livelier nights out.

School Quality: Rickmansworth is highly regarded for its outstanding schools, with several institutions achieving strong Ofsted ratings. Parents value the variety of primary and secondary school options and the community’s enduring support for education.

Parks and Green Space: The area’s abundance of green spaces such as the Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Chorleywood Common, and surrounding countryside make it ideal for families who appreciate the outdoors. Well-kept play areas and walking routes are accessible throughout the town.

Childcare: There are several nurseries, preschools, and after-school services available, supporting busy working families and guaranteeing support from early years through to adolescence.

Safety: Rickmansworth’s low crime rates and established policing provide families with extra reassurance about children’s safety in both public and residential areas.

Family Activities: The town hosts regular family-friendly events, including the Rickmansworth Festival, holiday clubs, and sports teams. Leisure centres, swimming pools, and weekly markets provide year-round recreation for children and adults alike.

Rickmansworth’s proximity to rivers, commons, and countryside makes it an excellent choice for pet-owners, particularly those with dogs. The Aquadrome, Chorleywood Common, and canal towpaths offer ample routes for daily walks, while dog-friendly cafés and pubs are increasingly common in the town centre.

Local veterinary services, such as Rickmansworth Veterinary Centre and Highfield Veterinary Surgery, provide comprehensive pet care. Multiple pet shops and grooming salons can be found in the town, making it easy for residents to provide for their animals’ needs.

The rental and housing market is broadly open to pet-owners, though some flats and newer developments may impose restrictions. Overall, Rickmansworth has a welcoming attitude towards pets, supported by responsible ownership and an abundance of green, open space.

Rickmansworth’s outstanding transport links are central to its appeal. The town’s railway station is served by both Chiltern Railways and London Underground’s Metropolitan line, ensuring swift and direct travel to Central London and beyond. Residents enjoy frequent services into London Marylebone and Baker Street, ideal for daily commuting.

Frequent bus routes connect Rickmansworth to Watford, Uxbridge, and surrounding Hertfordshire villages. The M25 motorway (Junctions 17 and 18) is minutes away, providing excellent road access north, south, and to major airports.

• London Marylebone – about 28 minutes by Chiltern Railways train
• Baker Street (London Underground) – about 38 minutes on Metropolitan line
• Watford – approx. 10 minutes by car or 15 minutes by bus
• Heathrow Airport – approx. 25 minutes by car via M25 (15 miles)
• Croydon – about 1 hour by train/tube, changing at London Marylebone

Proximity to both the M25 and A404 means Rickmansworth is also handy for journeys towards Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the rest of the southeast. For international travel, both Heathrow and Luton Airports are within easy reach by road.

Rickmansworth is highly regarded for its education, with access to a range of well-rated schools at primary, secondary, and further education levels. The area’s reputation for academic excellence draws families from across Hertfordshire and beyond.

Primary Schools:

St Peter’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a popular option, rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted in 2013 and noted for its rigorous academics and pastoral care. Rickmansworth Park JMI School is consistently well rated (“Good” Ofsted 2022) and praised for its community atmosphere and inclusive approach. Other notable primaries include Chorleywood Primary School and Harvey Road Primary School, both serving families in the local and surrounding areas.

Secondary Schools:

Rickmansworth School is a co-educational Academy with a longstanding reputation for strong academics and extra-curricular offerings, graded “Outstanding” by Ofsted in 2015. St Clement Danes School in nearby Chorleywood is widely sought after, having been rated “Outstanding” in 2014.

Independent and Special Schools:

The area also offers access to independent education. Charlotte House Preparatory School and Maple Walk School are notable local institutions, nurturing children from early years through to secondary transfer.

Colleges and Universities:

Whilst Rickmansworth itself has no university, nearby Watford hosts West Herts College, offering A-levels, vocational and adult education. University College London, Brunel University London, and the University of Hertfordshire are all within commutable distance for higher education.