Living in Ampthill in 2023

Is Ampthill a place you might be considering relocating to?

Whilst moving home is typically down to positive reasons such as moving up the property ladder, an expanding family or being closer to a new job, it can still be one big headache.

A lot of organisation must be done well before you leave your old home.

Most of us move to a place we are already familiar with or at least have some knowledge of.

That said, it is always a bonus to add to that knowledge.

If you are thinking of living in Ampthill in 2023, read on to find out more about this very appealing location.

Where is Ampthill Located?

The town sits within the county of Bedfordshire, towards the southeast of the UK.

The ward of Ampthill, which also includes Maulden and Clophill, has an estimated population of 13,280.

This convenient location is close to several large towns and only 8 miles or 20 minutes by car from the county town of Bedford.

Is Ampthill Good for Commuting?

Ampthill is very well connected.

Whether it be by road, rail or by air, there are some major transport routes close to the town.

The A507 links with the M1 to the west and the A6 to the east. Getting around this part of the UK by road is particularly efficient.

Many people are employed at Luton Airport which you can get to in just over half an hour by car.

There is no train station in Ampthill, the closest one is in Flitwick, 2 miles from the town.

Rail services from Flitwick reach most of the county’s larger locations such as Bedford, Luton, Cambridge, and Milton Keynes.

The bonus is, from Flitwick station you can be in London within an hour.

Living in Ampthill makes an ideal base for commuting.

What kind of Lifestyle does Ampthill Offer?

This picturesque Georgian market town has an enviable reputation and in the past five years, has become a very desirable place to live.

Ampthill has been rated as one of Bedfordshire’s best and happiest places to live several times in the past

Safety is an all-important consideration when you are looking for a new location to move to.

It is good to know that the crime level in Ampthill is low.

Life is lived at a slower pace here making it a popular target in recent years for ex-Londoners looking to start families amid a more rural backdrop.

Residents are free to immerse themselves in the peace, quiet and beauty of the area whilst taking advantage of its close-knit active local community.

What Schooling Options Are There in Ampthill?

Of course, parents new to the town need to know that their children’s education will not be adversely affected by living in such a rural location.

Another bonus is that although Ampthill is small, some good school choices exist.

There is a mix of primary and secondary schools nearby, including Alameda Middle School (Academy) which is a primary and secondary school, and Russell Lower school, both perform well.

Ofsted rated “good”, Redborne Upper School & Community College is the local high school for children in Ampthill.

Central Bedfordshire Council manages school admissions. You can secure a school place for your child via their website.

When it is time to move on to further education, older students have some great choices too.

Two very popular colleges are an easy commute from Ampthill.

Central Bedfordshire College has a wide range of full-time and part-time courses, undergraduate study and apprenticeships.

Milton Keynes College, Chaffron Way Campus also provides tertiary education to Foundation Degree level.

Is Property Affordable in Ampthill?

When you take into consideration the benefits living in Ampthill offers, you would expect homes to be more expensive than they actually are.

Average property prices in Ampthill are similar to the averages across Bedfordshire.

Those used to paying London prices will be amazed at how much more they can get for their money in Ampthill.

Properties in Ampthill had an overall average price of £472,512 over the last year.

Most sales during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £629,839.

Terraced properties sold for an average of £383,024, with semi-detached properties fetching £375,031.

Overall, sold prices in Ampthill over the last year were 14% up on the previous year and 16% up on the 2019 peak of £406,771.

If you are planning to stay for a reasonable amount of time, buying a home here is a good sound financial investment.

Within one mile of the town, there are as many as 92 homes for sale.

For those with limited budgets or those trying to get a foot onto the property ladder for the first time, some bargains can be found.

There is a two-bedroom apartment on the market, close to the town centre and its great amenities for £199,995.

Stats as per Rightmove – January 2023

Local Council Services in Ampthill

There is always an endless list of “things to do” when you are planning a house relocation.

So many people and organisations need to be informed of your leaving, and then of your arrival in the new area.

Notifying your local county council is one of the first things you need to do when you arrive.

By law, if you are 18 years old and over and own or rent a home, you must pay Council Tax.

Ampthill falls under Central Bedfordshire Council. Taking a little time to explore their website is well worth the effort.

Like so many things nowadays, you can do most of what you need to do online, saving the time and inconvenience of going into the council offices personally.

From the website, you can also register your child with a local school. Find out when your bins are likely to be emptied and get your name added to the Electoral Register.

You will also find other bits and bobs of local information that might come in handy in the future once you have settled in.

What Recreational Activities Does Ampthill Have Nearby?

Being small, the town itself has limited things to do. However, you only need travel a few miles to find plenty of fantastic attractions.

If you don’t fancy cooking and are looking for somewhere to eat, Ampthill has some great pub options.

Engine & Tender, The Ossory Arms and The Prince of Wales all serve good traditional pub grub.

These popular pubs also double up as meeting places for local residents.

For a restaurant meal, you cannot go far wrong at Fratelli. Award-winning hearty, fresh, and totally authentic Italian dishes are served in a vibrant and bustling setting.

The first of its kind in Bedfordshire, Ampthill Micro-Museum is the ideal place to visit to find out more about the town’s history. Plus, it runs a program of events and exhibitions alongside permanent exhibits.

The famous Woburn Safari Park is just 10 minutes away, the perfect family attraction. You can enjoy the road safari through animal enclosures, a foot safari with keeper talks/demos and a high ropes course.

Nature surrounds the town but is at its best in the nearby Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park. You can explore this amazing one-square-mile open space on foot or by bicycle. Operated by a registered charity it relies on volunteers for the upkeep and maintenance of the park.

The park has a children’s play space with a variety of traditional and challenging play equipment.  Recent additions have included water play, an open barn shelter and natural climbing structure and den. One for the little children.

There is so much more to discover right across the county and even further afield.

To find out what is available visit the following websites:

• www.getyourguide.com/bedfordshire-l4655/family-friendly-activities-tc1094/?
• www.greatbritishbucketlist.com/things-to-do-in-bedfordshire/

Community Activities in Ampthill

Sometimes when you relocate to a completely new area, and you are far from family and old friends, it can feel very isolated and lonely for a while.

It takes time and effort to find like-minded people.

There is nothing like joining a club or society to expand your social scene.

Getting involved with your local community is the absolute best way to find new friends.

You might try joining the local gym or tennis club, or offer to work in a charity shop or volunteer yourself for other important charity work.

Simply taking the dog for a walk is another surefire way to get to know people.

Ampthill has some great clubs for all ages:

Bowls Club
Camera Club
Angling Club
The Wingfield Social Club
Volunteering Groups
Ampthill Running Club 
Rotary Club

Ampthill is a Keeper

Even though we all have our own ideas about what we are looking for in a new location, Ampthill does manage to tick a lot of the important boxes.

Testament to Ampthill’s popularity is the high number of residents who, once they arrive tend to stay. Preferring to move up the property ladder within the town rather than look elsewhere.

We hope, the information we have put together here will give you some insight into what it is like to live in the town and what you can expect should you decide to take the plunge and buy a home in Ampthill.

When you are ready to make arrangements for your belongings to be transported to Ampthill, all you need to do is give Lund Conlon a call.

It is that easy!

Lund Conlon has been carrying out household removals in Ampthill, across Bedfordshire and the rest of the UK for many years. We even move people to Europe and all over the world.

We know very well what an upheaval moving home is. So let us take the strain out of your move. Our friendly staff are here to assist, don’t hesitate and call us today for your free move survey and quote.