'UK's best commuter town' named as picturesque spot with 'rich history' and 11th-century cathedral

Britain’s best commuter town has been named – and it boasts a ‘rich history’ and iconic 11th-century cathedral.

The much-coveted number one slot was awarded to St Albans, which locals say is a town with heritage that is ripe to explore. One of its most visited attractions is its beautiful cathedral, often celebrated for bringing a sense of grand splendour to the town. But that’s not the only thing to enjoy in the St Albans area – it also has some impressive shopping centres for those who want their retail fix.

For nature lovers there are many green spaces and a selection of great entertainment and leisure centres which are all said to be within walking distance. St Albans’ closeness to central London impressed commuters who are just a 20-minute journey from the city which attracted them to living in the Hertfordshire city, It earned the location the top spot because of its transport links and short distance from London.

St. Albans Cathedral and Park, Hertfordshire

Tourist bosses say it can be reached by a fast train to London in just 21 minutes. Season tickets are pricey, however, at £4,184 a year. The nearest station is London St Pancras International. For people considering a move to the area, the average house price is listed as £636,725.

The top commuter towns and their distance from London were:

1. St Albans, Hertfordshire – 21 mins
2. Hatfield, Hertfordshire – 23 mins
3. Reading, Berkshire – 23 mins

Aerial view showing the Roman theatre in St Albans

VisitHerts says St Albans has many historic sites and locations to enjoy culture. They include St Albans Museum + Gallery where 2,000 years of heritage can be seen in a grand 19^th Century building which has a vibrant programme of events.

The 11th-century St Albans Cathedral is reported to be on the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in England and can be seen in its prominent location in the city centre.

But the city was also was also once named ‘Verulamium’ and is the third largest city in Roman Britain with a museum which gives the story of the area’s rich history. It also has some of the ‘finest Roman mosaics and wall plasters; outside the Mediterranean

The park at the Roman Verulamium, St Albans

The Mirror recently reported on other towns located within an hour’s commute to London. Five other Hertfordshire towns made Britain’s top 50 most desirable towns list. Other Hertfordshire areas also on the list includes Chorleywood (4th), Berkhamsted (9th), St Albans (10th), Rickmansworth (27th), and Hitchin (48th).

Lucian Cook, head of residential research for Savills, then said: “It’s worth noting that these locations are not second-home hotspots. They are aspirational, ­affluent places that attract incoming wealth with good schools and a strong quality of housing stock where residents are economically active who are building up their property and personal wealth.”