With train lines running into Euston, St Pancras, King’s Cross and Liverpool Street, Hertfordshire is well covered for all commuting needs. And with the world’s first Garden City and peaceful countryside, it’s become a haven for those wanting to work in London but live elsewhere.

Here’s a guide to the best commuter towns and city in Hertfordshire.

St Albans - Time to London: 19 minutes (St Pancras)

With 1 in 5 people living here commuting into the capital, St Albans is one of the most popular commuter hotspots in the county.

Its popularity is helped by the excellent schooling – both private and state – and rich heritage, with the city wrapped in a network of little medieval streets full of quaint cottages and the ancient cathedral in the city centre.

St Albans also has a great buzz and embraces good food and drink, with a host of eateries offering food from every corner of the globe. Visitors flock to the vibrant local markets and the city is home of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, and has many “real ale” pubs, including ancient hostelries, and holds a major beer festival each year.

Buying a home

Homes in the city vary considerably in price. For example a Victorian,3-bedroom, semi-detached property, near the station, can be bought for £650,000. Whereas a 7-bed detached home sitting on a prime residential road in a good size plot can achieve well in excess of £2m.

Harpenden - Time to London: 26 minutes (St Pancras)

With a High Street offering a number of boutiques, 3 supermarkets, restaurants and surrounded by pretty villages, it’s a great option for commuters. The High Street leads on to the expansive Harpenden Common giving a real sense of semi-rural living. The area benefits from first-class state and private schooling creating high demand for properties within the surrounding catchment areas.

Buying a home

A detached home would set you back over £1m on average. Near the station is this 6-bed character property for £1,795,000.

Surrounding villages

St Albans City and Harpenden town are surrounded by a number of beautiful villages.

• Redbourn offers village life with easy access to the Harpenden station. Pick up a cottage in the village for just £675,000.

• Flamstead is on the other side of the M1, and offers great road access to the capital and peaceful village life. A delightful, well-presented cottage is available for £850,000.

• Wheathampstead is a charming little village just 2 miles from Harpenden and 5 miles from St Albans. A beautiful detached country property with 5 bedrooms on 1.3 acres is £1,875,000.

Hitchin - Time to London: 32 minutes (King’s Cross)

This quintessential English town that’s also close to London is a great choice. Many Londoners opt for Hitchin for its great schools as well.

Buying a home

While the average price here is just £301,000, you’d be hard-pressed to find something for that price on the much sought-after The Avenue, with its Edwardian and Victorian homes.

There are still plenty of gems to be found, though, such as this Victorian home with spacious accommodation set in over 2 acres of grounds at £960,000, or this beautiful mill house situated in superb gardens and grounds for £2.5m. Hitchin is surrounded by a number of delightful villages including Preston and St Pauls Walden.

Taylors Road, Stotfold, Hitchin | £960,000

Ware - Time to London: 45 minutes (Liverpool Street)

While it may have one of the longer commutes, this gives it a sense of remoteness. However, it is close enough to get into the heart of the City in under an hour. It has a bustling social scene and a number of great independent shops and restaurants.

Buying a home

More affordable than some places, an average house costs £288,236. Definitely not average is this Grade II listed family home near the station for £1.75m.

Welwyn Garden City - Time to London: 26 minutes (King’s Cross)

Being able to get from Welwyn Garden City to King’s Cross in 26 minutes means this is popular among commuters. The original Garden City, it offers plenty of green space along with a nice, bustling centre. It also has great surrounding countryside, a lake and easy access to the River Lea.

Buying a home

It provides a variety of homes, from original Garden City properties in the centre to more modern dwellings on the edges of the city. Averages prices are over £300,000. Nearby Old Welwyn offers some characterful properties and a traditional High Street with a wide choice of pubs and restaurants.

Hertford - Time to London: 49 minutes (Various)

With its monthly farmer’s market, variety of independent shops and good schools, Hertford is a popular choice for young Londoners looking to start a family outside of the city. A number of nearby rivers offers plenty of outdoor activities as well.

Buying a home

A large detached home would cost over £679,000, on average. In the centre are a number of period properties, such as this Grade II listed building (£1.65m). Or you could try one of the nearby villages like Hertingfordbury, where you can buy a 4-bed family home with 0.75 acres of land and a swimming pool for £1.5m.

Bluecoats Avenue, Hertford | £1,650,000

Knebworth - Time to London: 35 minutes (King’s Cross)

While the station offers quick access to London, it’s around the station that most of the newer homes have been developed. And while the railway line dominates the area, there’s still plenty of charm and personality in this popular town.

Buying a home

The average detached home goes for over £780,000, though you can still buy a detached 5-bedroom family home in Old Knebworth for £850,000. Or head to the village of Datchworth for a 7-bed home at £1,800,000.