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Pictures of Abbots Langley

in the county of Hertfordshire

Poppies in a field, Abbots Langley, near Watford, Herts.

About Abbots Langley

Abbots Langley is interesting for the fact that it is the birthplace of the only Englishman ever to become Pope. He was born Nicholas Breakspeare in around 1100, he served the Church of Rome as Pope Adrian IV from 1154 to 1159. He is believed to have choked to death.

From Saxon times religion played an important role in the life of the village, most of what went on in daily life was influenced by the monks at St.Albans Monastery. Following the Norman invasion, Paul de Caen became Abbot and it is during this period Abbots Langley was mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

The beautiful church dedicated to St.Lawrence was built during the 12th-century. It has the original nave and a 14th-century south chapel. Also from the 14th-century is the west tower, an octagonal perpendicular font and wall paintings of St.Lawrence and St.Thomas. The church possesses a most impressive monument to Lord Raymond (d.1732). It is by Sir Henry Chere and shows an effigy in robes, with seated beside him an allegorical figure holding a portrait medallion. Another important monument in the church, is that to the 2nd Lord Raymond by Peter Scheemaker. Doomsday records show that there may have been an earlier Saxon church on the same spot as the present Norman church was erected.

Abbots Langley was affected by the plague and black death of the 14th-century, at the same time the power of the Abbot was challenged in the peasants revolt of 1381. However, the village remained under the rule of the Abbot until Henry VIII split the church in order to take a second wife while Queen Catherine was still alive.

During the period of the Civil War the village supported the Parliamentarians, along with St.Albans and the rest of Hertfordshire. There was much turbulence and near starvation for many before the monarchy was restored in 1660. The old order of Church, King and Country was once again in place and Abbots Langley began to prosper.

For centuries the place has flourished, beautiful houses covering almost every architectural period where built and the village became an attractive place to live for those seeking refuge from the City. In spite of the nearness of the MI and M25, it remains so to this day.

Abbots Langley is close to the attractive River Colne and King's Langley. With the City of London within easy driving distance, this part of Hertfordshire makes a serene place to stop whilst exploring the bright lights and interesting historical sights of London and the County.

Places to visit include: The Gardens of the Rose, Old Gorhambury House, St.Nicholas Church, The River Colne, The Wildfowl Trust near London Colney and The Museum at Watford.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Abbots Langley

Verulamium Park St Albans(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NE)Pictures
Redbournbury Mill(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction N)Pictures
Chenies Manor House(5.7 miles, 9.1 km, direction SW)Pictures
Aldenham Reservoir Country Park(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE)Pictures
Rothamsted Park(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction N)Pictures
Berkhamsted Castle(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction NW)Pictures
Bayhurst Wood Country Park(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction S)Pictures
Hatfield House(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction NE)Pictures
Denham Country Park(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction S)Pictures
Brocket Hall(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NE)Pictures
The Mayflower Barn(10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SW)Pictures
R.A.F. Museum, Hendon(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction SE)Pictures
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)Pictures
Barham Park(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction SE)Pictures

All attractions in Abbots Langley
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Recommended towns near Abbots Langley

Hemel Hempstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction NW)
Set in a delightful valley of the Chilterns, formed by the River Gade, the town is noted for its variety of old buildings which include the Norman church dedicated to St.Mary.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

St Albans, in the county of Hertfordshire (4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NE)
One of the most pleasant parts of St.Albans is quaint Fishpond Street. The street derives it's name from a fishpond which lay nearby in medieval times where the monks used to fish.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rickmansworth, in the county of Hertfordshire (5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction SW)
This is a lovely old town where three rivers meet, it has lakes and watermeadows, and during the 20th-century was known for...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Shenley, in the county of Hertfordshire (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction E)
Shenley is a small village in Hertfordshire, it is equidistance of around 5 miles from both Watford and St. Albans.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Berkhamsted, in the county of Hertfordshire (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction NW)
With so much to see and experience this fascinating little town makes the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend away from it all.
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Chesham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction W)
Located in the picturesque Chess Valley along the Chiltern hills and surrounded by famland, Chesham is one of Buckinghamshire's...
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Amersham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction W)
Amersham is one of those towns where with one cast of the eye, you immediately know that this is a place with a long history for...
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Wheathampstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NE)
An abiding feature of Wheathampstead is it beautiful 14th-century church dedicated to Saint Helen.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.2 miles, 14.9 km, direction NE)
Hatfield is a town with two histories. There is the history of the ancient market town whose roots are firmly embedded in Saxon times, and the modern-day history of a town that grew to meet the demands of the housing population.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Denham, in the county of Buckinghamshire (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction S)
This picturesque village is set in rich wooded countryside. It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and it has many attractive...
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Welwyn Garden City, in the county of Hertfordshire (11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NE)
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Tring, in the county of Hertfordshire (11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction NW)
Tring lies on the Ridgeway Path close to the waters of the River Thame, it is bordered on one side by the Chilterns, a range of dense wooded hills which span an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Goring in the Thames valley and Dunstable downs.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Beaconsfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SW)
On arrival in Beaconsfield you are immediately struck by the spaciousness of its wide streets and the wonderful show of Victorian buildings and houses in the main street.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Great Missenden, a Picturesque Village in the county of Buckinghamshire (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction W)
Lying in a favoured position within the sweep of the glorious Chilterns, Great Missenden is an attractive village of charm and character, and was the home to Roald Dahl who wrote many of his best loved stories there.
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Stoke Poges, in the county of Buckinghamshire (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction SW)
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All towns in Hertfordshire
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Nearby travel help

Kings Langley Station(1.1 miles, 1.7 km)
M25 Junction 20(1.2 miles, 1.9 km, direction SW)
M25 Junction 21 / M1 Junction 6A(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction NE)
Garston (Herts) Station(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction SE)
London Luton Airport(11.8 miles, 18.9 km, direction N)
London Heathrow Airport(16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction S)
Abbots Langley to London(18.6 miles, 30.0 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Abbots Langley

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Abbots Langley center
Hunton Park(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
Kings Langley Premier Travel Inn(1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction NW)
Thistle St Albans(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction NE)
Express By Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead(3.1 miles, 4.9 km, direction NW)
Park Inn Watford(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction S)
Best Western White House Hotel(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction S)
Bobsleigh Hotel(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction NW)
Sopwell House Hotel(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction NE)
Comfort Hotel St Albans-City Centre(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NE)
Ramada Watford(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Abbots Langley

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