Russet Drive Local Shops

 

Hill End Lane at the foot of the picture, with Russet Drive extending northwards between the two
blocks.
COURTESY GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Not far from Cell Barnes Local Shops is a very small group of shops alongside Hill End Lane in Russet Drive.  Although this road appears short in length, walk or take a car between the shops Russet Drive turns left and winds its way northwards to join a roundabout, passing a number of short culs de sac, all named after varieties of apple.  One of the features of the former Hill End Hospital upon which the new residential area of Highfield was built were extensive apple orchards.  It is Russet Drive, opened c2000, which gave the little group of shops and other facilities their name.

A bunch of Russet apples.

The retail units are not arranged in a strict line, but informally around a small car park.

The largest unit is a Spar general opening out onto four sides, and has by far the largest footfall.

Top: Spar General store. Second: front group of shops. Third; Community Surgery.  Bottom; YMCA building behind the car park.
COURTESY GOOGLE STREET VIEW

Backing up this prime shop are J Hoots, Pharmacy and a small surgery.

Alphamarque mobility specialists, Saints Barbers and Sushi 4U complete the series of units, although there remains one empty shop c2020. We should not, however, omit a useful free withdrawal bank machine.

Nearby are the YMCA Community Gym, Fusion Performing Arts and Tumble Tots.

Hill End Lane on the left.  The two red retail blocks with Russet Drive between.

                                                                                               COURTESY OPEN STREET MAP CONTRIBUTORS

But, of course, the extensive Highfield Park and its Millennium Maze, meadows, woodlands and Village Green are on the doorstep.

Topics specialising on the former Hill End and Cell Barnes hospitals can be found in https://www.stalbansowneastend.org.uk and regular events are announced in the Highfield Park Trust website https://www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk

A section of Highfield Park.
COURTESY HIGHFIELD PARK TRUST

There is much variety to be found and not just in the immediate vicinity of Highfield; where Drakes Drive meets Ashley Road, Hill End Lane, Highfield Lane and Tyttenhanger Green Lane all benefit from the local shops.  Even the eastern end of Camp Road, which once thrived with small shops, now require householders to walk to Russet Drive as an alternative to Cell Barnes Lane.