Hitchin and St Albans up for Muddy Stilettos 'best place to live'

Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden and Radlett have also been nominated, with Herts residents being encourage to vote for their town.

The winners will then be entered into a national final to decide the best place to live in England.

Summing up the county, Muddy Stilettos said: "Hertfordshire isn't just a characterless commuter belt.

"Charming villages, rolling fields and towns packed with cool restaurants and independents are very much the order of the day here.

St Albans was praised for its lively vibes.

"From the lively vibes of historical St Albans and happening Hitchin, to properly rural village life, there's something for every savvy commuter in this county."

Here's what they had to say on our towns:

On Hitchin

"Hip Hitchin is a beautiful market town in North Herts, built on the banks of the River Hiz.

"It’s historic – with narrow winding streets, gorgeous architecture and a traditional market square – but also oh-so-trendy.

"There’s also plenty of green space in which to sit with your high-end coffee and watch the world go by.

"Oh, and the commute to London or Cambridge is a cinch."

On St Albans

"This perfectly proportioned small city (it has a cathedral, don’t you know) has everything.

"The historic centre – all ancient religious buildings and cobbled streets – gives way to cute rows of terraces.

"And there’s a lot going on. It’s the perfect choice if you want to get out of London, but still want a super-buzzy scene."

On Welwyn Garden City

"One of England’s garden cities, second only to Herts’ own Letchworth, WGC is bordered by green spaces, boasts a lively community scene, and with average house prices under £500k and no more than a 35-min whizz by train into London it’s got a lot to appeal."

Welwyn Garden City's green spaces were praised. (Image: Archant)

On Harpenden

"Harpenden is a great little town, with a very pretty Georgian centre, cricket green, upmarket high street shops, cute independents, great schools and a sense of class (there must be more SUVs per capita here than anywhere else on the planet).

"It almost feels like a big village in the midst of gorgeous rolling Hertfordshire fields, but with useful shops and fast connections to London."

On Radlett

"Popular with footballers and celebs, leafy Radlett is one of the most affluent villages in Herts.

"Add to that its proximity to some of the UK’s top schools and a 30-min commute into London and it’s a no-brainer."

To vote for your town, visit herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/best-places-to-live/hertfordshire.