Area Guide: The Hertfordshire hamlet of Gustard Wood

Gustard Wood is a mostly rural area, offering the perfect spot to walk, rest and to play golf.

While it may feel like the middle of nowhere, with its large homes and very rural setting, the hamlet is only around seven miles away from Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Hatfield.

Harpenden is even nearer, with just four miles between Gustard Wood and its much larger neighbour, and there are links to London from Harpenden train station.

The hamlet is situated north of Wheathampstead and close to the villages of Kimpton to the north and Ayot St Lawrence to the east.

Gustard Wood (Image: Newsquest)

Property 

With a highly sought-after AL4 postcode, living in this peaceful hamlet isn't cheap - with homes regularly priced in excess of £1million.

Currently on the market is a four-bedroom detached house at The Slyde for £1,395,000. 

History 

Gustard Wood was first referenced in around 1272, when it was written as Goshamstedwoode. Other spellings recorded later include Gustamwode and Gustewood.

The hamlet's name comes from the Old English word for 'gorse' or 'juniper', both of which grow on Gustard Wood Common.

In World War I Gustard Wood was home to the largest of the auxiliary hospitals - the Federated Malay States Hospital at Blackmore End.

The hospital was funded by supporters both locally and abroad, and provided 214 beds in the house and grounds.

St Peter's Church 

Located in Lamer Lane, St Peter's Church opened in 1910 as an outlying 'daughter' church in the parish of Wheathampstead, and served the then-growing communities of Gustard Wood and Blackmore End.

St Peter's Church (Image: Newsquest)

The majority of the cost of the building was paid for by Mrs Laura Pearce, in memory of her late husband the Reverend William Peter Pearce, who was a former rector of nearby Ayot St Lawrence.

The majority of the cost of the building was provided by Mrs Laura Pearce, in memory of her late husband the Reverend William Peter Pearce, who was a former rector of nearby Ayot St Lawrence. 

In the more than 100 years since, St Peter's has become a beloved local landmark and centre of Christian worship - enriching the work of its parent church, St Helen's in Wheathampstead.

According to the church's website, the building consists of a chancel and a nave, constructed in Bath stone and knapped flints with a central bell turret in Bath stone and a porch in English oak. 

Leisure  

Mid Herts Golf Club - one of the oldest golf clubs in the country - is nestled in the countryside off Lamer Lane, Lower Gustard Wood.

Mid Herts Golf Club (Image: Newsquest)

The club's 18-hole course was designed by five times Open Champion James Braid, and is a true test of skills for golfers.

Permission was granted for golf to be played on Gustard Wood Common in 1892, by the Lords of the Manor - the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

By February 1893 nine holes were ready to play, and in 1897 a clubhouse was constructed on the current site - at a cost of £107.

The course was enlarged to 18 holes in 1923, under the guidance of James Braid.

Since then, the club has acquired more land to the south, and the original wooden clubhouse has been replaced with a brick building - and there have been extensive redevelopments and refurbishments over the years. 

The first professional golfer to emerge from the club was Horace Rawlins, who won the US Open Championship in 1895. 

Amenities 

The Cross Keys in Ballslough Hill is a traditional 17th century pub with exposed beams and a large inglenook fireplace. 

The family-friendly pub accommodates walkers, rambling groups and cyclists, and has bed-and-breakfast accommodation and a large garden with a children's play area.

Another B&B option is The Tin Pot, which is a former inn at 33 Gustard Wood. 

Schools 

The nearest schools to the area are in Harpenden and the surrounding villages. 

These include Kimpton Primary School, Sauncey Wood Primary School in Harpenden and St Helen's in Wheathampstead, all of which were rated 'good' at their most recent Ofsted inspections. 

Secondary school options include the new Katherine Warington School in Harpenden. 

Gustard Wood (Image: Newsquest)

Claims to Fame 

Gustard Wood homeowner Chrissie Adams appeared on the St Albans episodes of BBC1's The Best House in Town in 2019, and her property won. 

Chrissie spent two years transforming her 1970s house into a striking modern home. 

Mid Herts Golf Club also featured on BBC's Countryfile in January 2016. 

This area guide is sponsored by Frost's, who have offices in St Albans, Marshalswick, Wheathampstead and Harpenden (www.frosts.co.uk/branches) (Image: Frost's)