Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted (pronounced BERK-em-sted) is an historic market town of 18,500 people (2016) in Hertfordshire in England, UK. It is about 30 miles north of London.

Understand
The High Street is on a pre-Roman route known by its Saxon name, Akeman Street. The earliest written reference to Berkhamsted was in 970. The settlement was recorded as an ancient borough in the Domesday Book in 1086. The most notable event in the town's history occurred in December 1066. After William the Conqueror defeated King Harold's Anglo-Saxon army at the Battle of Hastings, the Anglo-Saxon leadership surrendered to the Norman encampment at Berkhamsted. The event was recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. From 1066 to 1495, Berkhamsted Castle was a favoured residence of royalty and notable historical figures, including Henry II, Edward, the Black Prince, Thomas Becket and Geoffrey Chaucer. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the town was a wool trading town, with a thriving local market. The oldest known extant jettied timber-framed building in Great Britain, built between 1277 and 1297, survives as a shop on the town's high street.

After the castle was abandoned in 1495, the town went into decline, losing its borough status in the second half of the 17th century. Modern Berkhamsted began to expand after the canal and the railway were built in the 19th century. In the 21st century, Berkhamsted has evolved into an affluent commuter town.

By car
Berkhamsted is bypassed by the between London and Aylesbury.

From London, Watford, Aylesbury and Bicester follow and exit at Berkhamsted. From the exit at junction 20 and follow signs for Aylesbury.

From Hemel Hempstead and Tring, follow into the town centre.

From Amersham and Chesham, follow into the town centre.

By rail
London Northwestern Railway trains call at Berkhamsted. From London Euston, Watford Junction and Hemel Hempstead, there are usually four direct trains per hour during the daytimes. There are also direct trains from Tring, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

From the Midlands and North West England, you can travel by train to Milton Keynes Central and change for services to Berkhamsted.

By bus
You can plan your bus journey in Hertfordshire using Intalink.

Bus routes include:


 * Red Rose 354 - from Chesham and Northchurch
 * Red Rose 501 - from Aylesbury, Tring, Watford and Hemel Hempstead (Sundays only)
 * Arriva X5 - from Aylesbury, Tring and Hemel Hempstead

By cycle
Berkhamsted is on the 170-mile Chilterns Cycleway, which is signposted through the town. The route is reasonably hilly. It mostly follows minor roads with a few sections on cycle lanes and bridleways.

You can follow the route direct from Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Amersham and Harpenden.

By narrowboat
The Grand Union Canal passes through the Port of Berkhamsted and Castle Wharf, which was once a centre for the canal trade and boat building. There are several locks near Berkhamsted:


 * Lock 46 - Cowroast Lock
 * Lock 47 - Dudswell Lock
 * Lock 48 - Dudswell Lock
 * Lock 49 - Northchurch Lock
 * Lock 50 - Bushes Lock
 * Lock 51 - Gas 1 Lock
 * Lock 52 - Gas 2 Lock
 * Lock 53
 * Lock 54
 * Lock 55 - Rising Sun
 * Lock 56
 * Lock 57

There is a mooring in Berkhamsted and nearby at Cow Roast. Check the Canal and River Trust website for more.

You can follow the Grand Union Canal from Paddington, Rickmansworth and Hemel Hempstead to the south, and Leicester, Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard and Tring to the north.

Get around
Berkhamsted has a reasonably small town centre which is very flat. The walk from Berkhamsted railway station to most town centre destinations is less than 15 minutes.

Do
Berkhamsted Town Council offer information about historical walks around the town and a guide leaflet can be downloaded from the Council website. The Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society have a regular programme of visits to places of historical significance in and around the town.

Many properties in Berkhamsted participate in the annual Heritage Open Days in mid-September, operated by English Heritage, which allow visitors to enter historical buildings not normally open to the public.

Berkhamsted has an active arts scene and there are many musical concerts and theatrical performances around the town. Posters and leaflets are displayed on the noticeboard on the High Street and in the parish church. The Berkhamsted Trust also provides a regular Arts Diary for up-to-date listings.

The Chilterns Cycleway is a circular cycle route which runs through parts of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. It passes through Berkhamsted along the Grand Junction canal and is popular for cycle touring. An official map and guide book can be ordered from the Chiltern Society.

There are a number of country walks outside Berkhamsted. Maps of local walks can be ordered from the Chiltern Society (map #17 - Chesham and Berkhamsted), and Berkhamsted is crossed by the Chilterns Cycleway. Of particular interest is the extensive Ashridge Estate woodland, a National trust property (free entry).

Buy
Shopping in Berkhamsted is predominantly ladies' fashions, although there are a couple of small gift shops and popular antique shops. Other than these, the High Street is mostly given over to nail bars, hairdressers, beauty salons and estate agents. A market is held every Wednesday and Saturday on the High Street which offers local food produce.



Connect
Berkhamsted and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of July 2022, 5G has not reached town but is getting close. Wifi is widely available in public places.

The library on King's Road offers computer internet access.

Go next

 * Tring west via A4251, noted for the Natural History Museum
 * Bletchley, noted for the National Computing Museum and Bletchley Park Museum
 * Chesham south via A416
 * Hemel Hempstead
 * Dunstable north via A4506