Berkhamsted area and property guide
Why live in Berkhamsted?
Beautiful countryside, canalside walks, attractive villages, good schools, traditional pubs, excellent railroad links to London and bustling market towns make Hertfordshire a very popular county to reside in.
Property in Berkhamsted
From quaint thatched cottages to Tudor, Georgian and Victorian country houses. Modern executive homes, period townhouses, farms and estates.
History of Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted was host to one of the great events that led to 1066 being one of the best remembered dates in history. It was in Berkhamsted that the Saxon leaders offered the Crown of England to William the Conqueror after his victory in The Battle of Hastings and his march encircling London. One of William’s first initiatives was to strengthen his new Kingdom with castles, one of them being constructed in Berkhamsted.
The construction of the castle fueled the expansion of Berkhamsted into a flourishing market town. From the start of the 13th century buildings were constructed along the old Roman road, including what is claimed to be the second largest church in Hertfordshire, Berkhamsted St Peter.
Berkhamsted has always has strong industrial connections with London due to the High Street being one of the trunk roads to and from the city. Such was the importance of this road that in 1762 it was set up as a Turnpike trust to ensure that is was properly maintained. The links to London and the rest of the country were strengthened further with the introductions of the Grand Union Canal in 1798 and the railway in 1835.
Notable people
One of the most notable people to have been born in Berkhamsted is the English novelist Graham Greene. One of Greene’s novels ‘The Human Factor’ take place in the town and mentions several places of interest. During early Autumn a festival dedicated to the author is organised by the Graham Greene Birthplace trust.
Other notable people to have lived in Berkhamsted include, Ester Rantzen, John Cleese, Sarah Brightman and retired footballer Dennis Irwin. Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French during the 2nd World War made Berkhamsted his home until he returned to France.
Places of Interest
Berkhamsted Castle
www.berkhamsted-castle.org.uk
Natural History Museum at Tring
The Walter Rothschild Building
Akeman Street
Tring
Hertfordshire
HP23 6AP
Tel: 020 7942 6171
Website: www.nhm.ac.uk/tring
Ashridge Estate
Ashridge Estate Visitors Centre
Moneybury Hill
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 1LX
Tel: 01442 851227
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-ashridge
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Dubstable
Berdfordshire
LU6 2LF
Tel: 01582 872171
Website: www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo/
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL1 1BY
Tel: 01727 860780
Website: www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk
Transport links in Berkhamsted
Roads
Berkhamsted is linked to the M25, (junction 20), via the A41 by-pass. This also links the town to Junction 8 of the M1, above Hemel Hempstead, 2 miles from Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted is also close to the A416 which leads to Chesham and South Buckinghamshire.
Rail
London Midland provides fast and direct services into London Euston taking approximately 35 min's from Berkhamsted. The line also runs direct and regular services to Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International and Liverpool Lime Street
London Midland also stops at Watford Junction for access to Virgin train Services to Gatwick airport, Brighton and the North.
London Midland: 0845 602 4277
Services to London Euston, Birmingham and Liverpool
London Underground: 0207 222 1234
Chesham has a tube station which provides a service through to Baker Street and central London on the Metropolitan Line.
Airports
London Heathrow, London Luton and London Stanstead airports are both readily accessible from the area.
Berkhamsted Local authority
Dacorum Borough Council,
Civic Centre,
Hemel Hempstead
01442 228 000
Aylesbury Vale District Council,
Aylesbury
01296 585858
Berkhamsted Town Council,
Civic Centre
01442 228945
Town Clerk
01442 228943
Town Warden
01442 228882
Where to go out in Berkhamsted
The Gatsby
95 High Street
Berkhamsted
Tel: 01442 870403
Website: www.thegatsby.net
The Rex Cinema
Art Deco Cinema
High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4
Tel: 01442 877759
Website: www.therexcinema.com
Champneys
Champneys Tring Health Resort
Wigginton
Tring
Hertfordshire
HP23 6HY
Tel: 01442 291216
Website: www.champneys.com
The Five Arrows Hotel
High Street
Waddesdon
Nr Aylesbury
HP18 0JE
Tel: 01296 651727
Website: www.thefivearrows.co.uk
The Marchmont Arms
Piccotts End
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP1 3AT
Tel: 01442 254320
Website: www.themarchmontarms.co.uk
The Greyhound Inn
Stocks Road
Aldbury
Tring
HP23 5RT
Tel: 01442 851228
Website: www.greyhoundaldbury.co.uk
Stocks Hotel Golf and country Club
Stocks Lane
Aldbury
HP23 5RX
Tel: 01442 851491
Schools in Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted and the surrounding area have a wide choice of both Private and State schools. |
Primary Schools (Ages 5-9 years)
Greenway School,
Crossways
01442 866249 |
St. Thomas More’s R.C School,
Greenway
01442 385060 |
Swing Gate School,
Swing Gate Lane
01442 873913 |
Victoria C. of. E. School,
Prince Edward Street
01442 865781 |
Westfield School,
Durrants Lane
01442 862729 |
|
Middle Schools (Age 9 - 13 Years)
Thomas Coram C.of.E School,
Swing Gate Lane
01442 866757 |
Bridgewater School,
Bridle Way
01442 871231 |
|
Upper Schools
Ashlyns School,
Chesham Road
01442 863605 |
Tring School |
|
Private Sector Education
Berkhamsted Collegiate School,
Kings Road
01442 358000 |
Egerton Rothesay School (Upper),
Durrants Lane
01442 865275 |
Egerton Rothesay School (Lower),
3-7 Charles Street
01442 866305 |
Haresfoot School,
Chesham Road
01442 872742 |