Starry-eyed Sarratt

A popular location choice for movie and film directors as well as celebrities, Sarratt has had more than its fair share of screen time, as Jessica Clark discovers

IT might be a secret retreat for Oscar winners and the breeding ground for an England rugby star – but you don’t need to win awards to live in Sarratt. The archetypal village shines on the northern outskirts of Watford in the Three Rivers District and offers country living with just a touch of sparkle.
Identified in John Le Carre’s serial spy novels as a shady spot for training agents, its green and spacious village centre seems to have become something of a filming hot-spot. Locals have become accustomed to seeing adverts, TV programmes and even blockbuster films use the picturesque village as a backdrop.
Chairman of Sarratt Parish Council, Peter Chipperfield, 60, a retired pilot who moved to Bucks Hill in the village six years ago with his wife, says, ‘I think film makers and TV crews are drawn to Sarratt because of its attractive scenery and buildings.
‘It’s a very spacious village as well, which makes it easy for filming. The majority of residents find it really interesting and love to have a look at what’s going on – there’s a sense of pride that it is our village being filmed. But it can be a little disruptive.’
Sarratt boasts two popular watering holes – The Cock and The Boot – with the modern English restaurant Blubeckers and a village hall which is well used, together able to offer a bustling social network. A small supermarket and post office is able to cope with day-to-day demands and with Sarratt Church of England Primary School in the centre of the village, it’s a lovely area for families to feel safe and secure in. And although the desirable village is home to some of Hertfordshire’s more lavish houses, it is not completely unattainable, with quaint cottages and modest homes an integral part of the landscape.
As Peter explains ‘Sarratt is fantastic. We are privileged because it’s a rather affluent area, but the great village life it boasts is born from the huge contribution that so many people make. There is the full spectrum of locals here from the very well-to-do to us ‘normal’ people and that’s what makes Sarratt a great place to live in. It’s what is important about the village. It’s a close-knit community but it is not at all exclusive, it’s extremely welcoming.
‘There is so much going on here with different clubs, societies and events, I don’t think people realise that until they move here.’
Although public transport to the surrounding areas isn’t a strong point for the village, if you have a car then you’re not too far from anywhere, especially the Capital. And it’s a small price to pay to live on the border of the Chilterns area given special status by the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s most likely that the mixture of its position and splendour is why a cross section of celebrities gravitate to the leafy village.
‘Gone With the Wind’ star Vivian Leigh lived in Sarratt for a time after World War II and Oscar-winning music composer Ann Dudley chose to live here. It was perfect for England rugby player Josh Lewsey, part of the victorious England World Cup team in 2003, to hone his skills when growing up, while ex-England football goalkeeper David Seaman chose to settle his family here.
Grandly sitting in the village centre is the beautiful 12th century Church of the Holy Cross which perfectly suits both the image and size of Sarratt. The church features in the opening scene of the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, with the reception scene shot at the Goldington’s House next door. It has also been used as the backdrop for a number of adverts.
Michael Clark, 79, a former warden and active member of the church since he moved to the area 32 years ago, says, ‘It’s a very loyal congregation and even though it’s quite small, if anything were to happen to it I’m sure the whole of the village would rise to protect it, we all like having it here. It’s lovely to be part of a church this beautiful; I see why film crews want to use it.
‘Sarratt in general is a very popular area for filming, and also for the stars. I think it’s because it is in close proximity to London and many large filming studios. I believe nowhere is more attractive than Sarratt, so I don’t blame the famous for living here. It’s a very good mix of people who get on with our great village life.’
The quaint village is used to being in the spotlight, but community life carries on unaffected. Of course, there are those in the village who just enjoy spending their days in the secluded spot, surrounded by beautiful green countryside and charming buildings – a village fit for the screen.

---