Our guide to living in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead has all the benefits of being close to the capital and within the Great London urban area, but also has the fantastic Hertfordshire countryside right on its doorstep.
Transport
Hemel Hempstead is just 24 miles from London with easy transport links to the city via road and rail. London Euston is just 25 minutes by train; the West End is just less than 40 minutes by car.
We have direct access to M1, M25 and A41 motorways. Luton Airport is a 15-20 minutes drive away, and London Heathrow is 40 minutes away. Hemel Hempstead’s network of convenient transport links makes it perfect for commuters.
Amenities
We have a great variety of independent restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes in the area, specifically in Hemel Hempstead Old Town.
Hemel has a large multi screen cinema, a rock climbing wall, an indoor skate park, pool, ice rink and one of the country’s largest indoor ski centres.
The area also has The Marlowes shopping centre which has all the high-street brands and local independent retailers, plus food outlets.
Green spaces
With so much open land and history, Hemel Hempstead is a great place to live for anyone who enjoys spending their weekends outdoors. To the north you can find the Chiltern Hills, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Hemel has an area of open land, run by the Boxmoor Trust, extending to 500 acres. This land was gifted to the people of the area in 1594 for the benefit of all residents. The area is made up of meadows with wildlife, sports fields, and spaces often used for outdoor events such as Music on the Moor, a music festival.
Hemel Hempstead sits on the Grand Union Canal, River Bulbourne and River Gade, providing great opportunities for picturesque walks.
Schooling
Hemel Hempstead has a range of private and state schools. Lockers Park Boys, for example, is a very well-known international boarding school.
The area also has Westbrook Hay Prep Schools, Abbots Hill Girls, and Hemel Hempstead School, a former grammar school.