Ancaster Close Harpenden, St Albans
4 addresses across 2 postcodes (AL5), about 60 m long, classed as a restricted local access road. USRN 37325138.
- Sales: 6 recorded sales since 1995; in 2024 the median was £1,355,000 across 1 sale.
- Energy: 3 homes have an energy certificate (B: 3).
- Flood: No address on its postcodes is in an area at high or medium risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water.
- Council tax: Most homes around it are in council tax band C; Band D in St Albans costs £2,419 a year in 2026-27.
- Broadband: Gigabit broadband is available to 100% of premises.
- Transport: The nearest railway station is Harpenden, about 1.2 km (0.7 miles) away in a straight line.
- Green space: The nearest park or garden, Lydekker Park, is about 660 m (0.4 miles) away.
- Air: Background air pollution in 2024 was 9.4 µg/m³ of nitrogen dioxide and 7.3 of PM2.5, within UK legal limits.
- Height: Its addresses are 117 to 119 m above sea level.
- Noise: 1 of its 4 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic.
- Doctors: The nearest GP surgery is Elms Medical Practice, about 730 m (0.5 miles) away, with 3 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile).
- People: About 770 people lived in the census areas around it in 2021; 81% of households owned their home and 62% of adults held a degree or other higher qualification.
- Crime: 30 crimes were recorded within 250 m between September 2025 and August 2026, most often violence and sexual offences.
Sales on this street
| Year | Sales | Median price | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | £1,355,000 | £1,355,000 | £1,355,000 |
| 2018 | 2 | £1,045,000 | £940,000 | £1,150,000 |
| 2017 | 2 | £1,320,000 | £1,090,000 | £1,550,000 |
| Date | Address | Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 2024 | 2 AL5 4FL | Detached | £1,355,000 | |
| 29 Jun 2018 | 2 AL5 4FL | Detached | £1,150,000 | |
| 11 Jun 2018 | 3 AL5 4FL | Detached | £940,000 | |
| 13 Dec 2017 | 3 AL5 4FL | Detached | £1,090,000 | |
| 8 Dec 2017 | 1 AL5 4FL | Detached | £1,550,000 | |
| 9 Jan 2017 | 2 AL5 4FL | Other | £2,212,000 | Not a standard sale (repossession, buy-to-let or transfer). |
Energy performance certificates
3 homes with a current certificate; median floor area 175 m². Most common: House, detached (3). Built: 2017 (3).
Each home's certificates and sales (3 addresses)
Council tax
What each band costs in St Albans in 2026-27: Band D £2,419 a year on average, including the police, fire and any county and parish charges.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,613 | £1,882 | £2,150 | £2,419 | £2,957 | £3,494 | £4,032 | £4,838 |
Homes by band in the neighbourhoods around this street: most are in band C (32% of about 1,220 homes).
Planning and heritage
- Conservation area: no postcode centre in this street's postcodes is in one.
- Listed buildings on or by this street: none.
- Article 4 direction (removing permitted development rights): none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Tree preservation orders: none recorded, though not every council has published theirs.
- Green belt: no.
Brownfield land registered for housing within 1 km (0.6 miles)
- The Red House Harpenden Memorial Hospital: up to 34 homes, not permissioned (800 m (0.5 miles))
Roadworks
No street works under way, planned or finished in the last three months on this street, in permits up to 30 September 2026.
Flood risk
No address in this street's postcodes is in an area at high, medium or low risk of flooding from rivers, the sea or surface water. The rest are in areas at very low risk: less than a 0.1% (1 in 1,000) chance a year.
Rivers and the sea alone: no home is in an area at risk.
High: 3.3% (1 in 30) or more chance of flooding a year. Medium: 1% to 3.3%. Low: 0.1% to 1%. Very low: under 0.1%. The rivers and sea figures allow for flood defences. Counts cover whole postcodes, which can include other streets.
Flood zone for planning: no postcode centre on this street is in flood zone 2 or 3.
Height above sea level
The street's 4 addresses are between 117 m and 119 m above sea level (118 m on average).
Broadband
| Postcode | Superfast (30 Mbit/s+) | Ultrafast (300 Mbit/s+) | Gigabit | Below 10 Mbit/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL5 4FL | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| AL5 4HG | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
Getting around
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Railway stations | Harpenden 2.8 million journeys in 2024–25 | 1.2 km (0.7 miles) |
| Luton Airport Parkway 4.7 million journeys in 2024–25 | 6 km (3.7 miles) | |
| Luton 3.7 million journeys in 2024–25 | 7.6 km (4.7 miles) | |
| Bus stops | 13 stops within 400 m (0.2 miles), 37 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Dell Close Harpenden | 140 m |
| Bus or coach station | Airport Bus Station Luton Airport | 6.1 km (3.8 miles) |
| Car parks | NCP | 1 km (0.6 miles) |
| EV charging points | 1 within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Apcoa Charging Station | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) |
| Airport with scheduled flights | London Luton Airport LTN | 5.6 km (3.5 miles) |
Local services
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| GP surgeries | 3 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Elms Medical Practice | 730 m (0.5 miles) |
| Pharmacies | 4 pharmacies within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Boots | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) |
| NHS dentists | 9 practices within 1.6 km (1 mile); nearest Special Care Dental | 710 m (0.4 miles) |
| Hospital | Spire Harpenden Hospital | 590 m (0.4 miles) |
| Police station | Harpenden Police Station | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) |
| Cash machines | 1 machines within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest The Cooperative Food Batford, Batford | 780 m (0.5 miles) |
Parks and green space
| Nearest | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| Park or garden | 2 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Lydekker Park 9,840 m² | 660 m (0.4 miles) |
| Play area | 1 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Westfield Road Play Area 560 m² | 370 m |
| Playing field | 2 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Westfield Recreation Ground 1.1 ha | 300 m |
| Allotments | 3 within 800 m (0.5 miles); nearest Unnamed 930 m² | 490 m (0.3 miles) |
Within 800 m (0.5 miles): 2 parks and gardens, 1.1 hectares in all.
Landmarks
The nearest historic landmark is Bowers House, a listed building (Grade II*), 1 km (0.6 miles) south. 13 listed buildings are within 1 km (0.6 miles), 2 of them Grade II*.
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Bowers House | Listed building, Grade II* | 1 km (0.6 miles) south |
| Parish Church of St Nicholas | Listed building, Grade II* | 1 km (0.6 miles) south |
| Name | What it is | From the middle of the street |
|---|---|---|
| Westfield Wood | Wood | 600 m (0.4 miles) north-west |
| Ambrose Wood | Wood | 640 m (0.4 miles) west |
| Lydekker Pond | Lake or reservoir | 740 m (0.5 miles) south-west |
| The Osiers | Wood | 780 m (0.5 miles) north |
| Baa Lamb Trees | Wood | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) south |
| Holcroft's Spring | Wood | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) north-east |
Air quality
| Pollutant | Here | UK limit | WHO guideline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 9.4 | 40 | 10 |
| Fine particles (PM2.5) | 7.3 | 20 | 5 |
| Particles (PM10) | 11.7 | 40 | 15 |
All three are within the UK legal limits; PM2.5 is above the WHO guideline, as in most towns and cities.
Road, rail and aircraft noise
| Level | Road traffic | Railways | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Under 55 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
1 of the street's 4 addresses is modelled at 55 dB or more from road traffic, above the WHO guidelines.
Climate, daylight and earthquakes
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, sunrise and sunset through the year, and earthquakes recorded nearby since 1970 are much the same across the area, so they are worked out once for St Albans: see them on the St Albans page.
Nearest schools
| School | Phase | Ages | Distance | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St George's School Christian | Secondary | 11–18 | 340 m | No overall grade (Mar 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Outstanding; Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Outstanding |
| Manland Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 410 m (0.3 miles) | No published inspection |
| The Lea Primary School and Nursery | Primary | 3–11 | 440 m (0.3 miles) | No overall grade (Oct 2024, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Outstanding; Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Outstanding |
| Sir John Lawes School | Secondary | 11–18 | 580 m (0.4 miles) | Outstanding (Mar 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School Church of England | Primary | 4–11 | 1 km (0.6 miles) | No published inspection |
| Harpenden Academy | Primary | 4–11 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No published inspection |
| Batford Nursery School | Nursery | 3–5 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No published inspection |
| Sauncey Wood Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | 1.1 km (0.7 miles) | No overall grade (May 2025, graded inspection without an overall judgement): Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good |
| Crabtree Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | 1.4 km (0.8 miles) | Outstanding (Nov 2023, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Crabtree Infants' School | Primary | 4–7 | 1.4 km (0.9 miles) | Outstanding (Feb 2024, overall grade under the previous framework) |
| Roundwood Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | 1.4 km (0.9 miles) | Report card (Jan 2026): Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard; Achievement: Expected standard; Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard; Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard; Inclusion: Expected standard; Leadership and governance: Expected standard; Early years: Expected standard; Safeguarding standards: Met |
| Katherine Warington School | Secondary | 11–19 | 1.5 km (0.9 miles) | Good (Feb 2024, overall grade under the previous framework) |
Food hygiene ratings nearby
| Business | Type | Distance | Rating | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harpenden Day Nursery and Preschool AL5 4HA | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 260 m | 5 Very good | 29 Sep 2025 |
| St George's School AL5 4EY | School/college/university | 350 m | 5 Very good | 3 Jul 2025 |
| The Oval Cafe AL5 4FB | Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 360 m | 3 Generally satisfactory | 21 Jan 2026 |
| Best One | Retailers - other | 410 m (0.3 miles) | 4 Good | 15 Nov 2024 |
| HCL Catering @ Manland Primary School AL5 4QW | School/college/university | 420 m (0.3 miles) | 5 Very good | 7 Mar 2025 |
| Time Out Afterschool and Breakfast Club AL5 4QW | Hospitals/Childcare/Caring Premises | 420 m (0.3 miles) | 5 Very good | 12 Jun 2025 |
Crime within 250 m
| Category | Crimes |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 11 |
| Vehicle crime | 8 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 4 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 3 |
| Other crime | 1 |
| Drugs | 1 |
| Possession of weapons | 1 |
| Other theft | 1 |
Most of these are attached to: On or near Masefield Road (10); On or near Dell Close (6); On or near Masefield Court (5); On or near Ancaster Close (2); On or near Jameson Road (2).
People and work
Who lives here
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42 | 40 |
| Children under 15 | 24% | 17% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14% | 18% |
Homes
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Owned (outright or with a mortgage) | 81% | 61% |
| Owned outright | 38% | 33% |
| Shared ownership | under 1% | 1% |
| Social rented | 8% | 17% |
| Private rented | 10% | 21% |
Work and commuting
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16 and over) in work | 67% | 57% |
| Unemployment (of those working or looking for work) | 2% | 6% |
| Retired (of adults) | 18% | 22% |
| Long-term sick or disabled (of adults) | under 1% | 4% |
| Work mainly from home (of those in work) | 56% | 32% |
| Travel to work by car or van | 33% | 48% |
| By train, Underground, metro or tram | 3% | 4% |
| By any public transport, including bus | 3% | 8% |
| On foot or by bicycle | 7% | 10% |
| Work within 10 km (6 miles) of home (of those who travel to work) | 58% | 65% |
| Work 30 km (19 miles) or more away | 11% | 8% |
Education and languages
| Around this street | England | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or other higher qualification, Level 4+ (of adults) | 62% | 34% |
| No qualifications | 8% | 18% |
| Apprenticeship as highest qualification | 3% | 5% |
| Main language English (aged 3 and over) | 97% | 91% |
| Cannot speak English well or at all | under 1% | 2% |
Deprivation
The 2 neighbourhoods around this street are in deciles 8 to 10 of 10 on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025, where 1 is the most deprived tenth of England's 33,755 neighbourhoods and 10 the least.
What has changed
Nothing new since the change feed started on 30 October 2026. New sales and energy certificates, and hygiene ratings, school inspections and flood figures nearby, will be listed here as the sources update.
Postcodes on this street
Nearby streets
Dell Close · Jameson Road · Westfield Avenue · Stonemason Close · The Appleyard · Masefield Road · Clarendon Road · Westfield Road · Fallows Green · Masefield Court · Lindley Close · Lea Road
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether a particular house is at risk of flooding, subsiding or anything else: the flood map is a model of areas and there is no property-level data here.
- What a home is worth now: sales are historic prices for the homes that happened to sell.
- How safe the street is: crime points are moved to anonymised locations and many crimes are never reported.
- Whether you would get a place at a school: distances are straight lines, not catchments.
- Who lives on the street now: census figures describe the small areas around it in March 2021, during a lockdown.
- How long a journey takes or how often anything runs: transport distances are straight lines to the nearest stops.
- Whether a GP practice is taking new patients, or a dentist new NHS patients.
- How loud a home is inside, or noise from industry, neighbours or smaller airfields: noise figures are models of road, rail and air traffic outside.
How each figure on this page is matched to the street and worked out: methodology.