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Town in Hertfordshire, England
Photo: MichaelMaggs, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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The stone motte-and-bailey ruins seen today date from around 1155, although the castle was established as a stronghold by William the Conqueror in 1066. The castle has been home to Thomas Becket, Edward, the Black Prince and Geoffrey Chaucer. The castle today is managed by English Heritage.
(1805) offers pleasant walks along the tow-path with canal-side pubs, wildfowl and many interesting barges, many of which are boat houses. Orientation plaques along the canal tow-path provide historical information and describe points of interest along the way.
The 13th-century parish church. The interior, which has undergone restoration in the 19th century, contains many historical features and decorations such as tombs and memorials spanning 700 years, some 14th-century stained glass, and a number of 16-century brass memorials.
a fine Art Deco picture house. It was designed by the architect David Evelyn Nye and opened in 1938, and features a luxurious, decorated interior. It has been restored and re-opened and offers a wide programme of movie shows. The entrance is at the side of the building, the former foyer and dining room having been converted into a bar and restaurant.
dug by the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps 1914-1918
Neoclassical stone monument built in 1832 in memory of the third Duke of Bridgewater who built the Bridgewater Canal and once lived in Ashridge House. Climb 172 steps to the top for stunning views across the landscape. The popular outdoor café offers an excellent range of breakfasts, lunches and home-baked cakes. Dogs & cycles welcome, extensive free parking. National Trust shop sells an excellent range of gifts, books, maps and local produce. Opening hours vary seasonally.
A fine example of early Victorian Gothic Revival by the architect James Wyattville. The stately home is now in use as a management college and is not normally open to the public except on special days, listed on their website.
A restored, fully-working 17th-century windmill owned by the National Trust. Limited opening days, but offers beautiful landmark on a rural public footpath
The writer Graham Greene, author of books such as Brighton Rock and The Third Man, was born in Berkhamsted in 1904. The Graham Greene Birthplace Trust organises a four-day Graham Greene International Festival in Berkhamsted every year. It consists of a series of lectures, films, discussions and social events centred on the life and works of the author.
Family-run freehouse serving fresh pub food.
Margos at the old mill
Former Victorian mill building refurbished and converted into comfortable bar-restaurant. Pub menu specialising in Maltese cuisine. Pub has several real ales from green king brewery as well as a selection of draught lagers, IPAs and stouts.
Popular bar & restaurant serving British pub food & French dishes
Authentic and varied Thai menu, hugely popular with locals
Refurbished local pub with modern gastro-pub menu in historic 18th-century building. Real Ales, fine wines, wood-fired pizzas. Large log fire in bar area.
Popular restaurant & gastro-pub hidden up a country lane. Serves real ales & fine wines, lunch & dinner sittings offer British & European cuisine. Booking essential.
Quiet canalside pub specialising in large selection of traditional real ales, traditional ciders, malt whiskies, port, Belgian beers etc. Beer garden and seating by canal lock. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.
A canalside pub.
Stylish cocktail bar and restaurant in the former dining rooms of the Rex Cinema. Diners sit in opulent 1938 art deco interiors.
Sports and live music
Refurbished local pub in historic 18th-century building. Real ales, fine wines. Large log fire in bar area. Also extensive restaurant.
Rural camping on a working, family-run farm at the foot of the Chiltern Hills with stunning views over the Vale of Aylesbury and Ivinghoe Beacon. In summer, visitors can pick their own fruit and vegetables.
Camping In The Orchard
A small campsite set in an orchard, close to the Grand Junction Canal and a 20-minute walk from Berkhamsted.
Luxury narrowboat hire on the south Grand Union canal.
A large range of reasonably priced antiques, bric-a-brac and garden statues in a rambling set of intriguing rooms and outhouses
A large, popular antiques centre on four floors with a large range of furniture, vintage clothing, homewares and home decorations. Higher prices ranges in general; specialises in antique clocks and designer furnishings. Café on top floor, antiquarian books in basement.
Independent cycle shop, sells a large range of cycling accessories & clothing and offers a bike repair service.
Attractive boutique gift shop selling greetings cards, candles, ornaments and designer homewares
Extensive range of antiquarian books, old maps and vinyl records, good for local history books, and classical & vintage rock records.
Book shop holding a range of local guides & maps as well as fiction and non-fiction titles.
An independent English vineyard and winery. Three artisan wine varieties are grown, pressed and bottled on-site and sold in the small vineyard shop, which also sells gifts & local food produce. Opening hours can vary, but owners are happy to open up the shop if you phone ahead. Special tasting and food events are held throughout the year.
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.
By bus
You can plan your bus journey in Hertfordshire using Intalink.
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.
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:
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.
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