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Pictures of Berkhamsted

in the county of Hertfordshire

On the Canal at Berkhamsted, Herts

About Berkhamsted

It is not surprising to find Berkhamsted mentioned in the Doomsday Book for it was here that William the Conqueror took the Throne of England from the Saxon's in 1066.

Shortly afterwards the king built a nearby castle where he entertained other kings, queens, princes and distinguished nobles. It is known that the Black Prince was fond of Berkhamsted Castle, also after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356 King John of France was incarcerated in the castle. Later, in medieval times the town became a focal point for trade, its market attracting folk from miles around.

Berkhamsted has a lovely old High Street where you will find several noted buildings and comfortable hotels. To the rear of the High Street lies the picturesque Grand Union Canal which runs through the town, and is at its most scenic when passing the Kings Road where it by-passes old bridges, lofty warehouses buildings, and swoops through ancient locks towards the gentle countryside on the outskirts of the town. Another splendid vantage point from which to view the canal is from Raven's Lane Bridge, looking towards Crystal Palace. Truly transformed from the days when it was a working canal carrying goods to the town, the canal is now home to a wealth of wildlife with a constant stream of pleasure craft plying its waters.

Amazingly, Castle Street is over 900 years old. It is dominated by Berkhamsted School, founded in the 16th-century but showing handsome additions from the Victorian period. The parish church of St.Peter was begun early in the 13th-century, stands close to a collection of old timber-frame buildings and opposite the Tudor school house. It has a strong Norman tower adorned with a clock, whilst in the hallowed interior there is a intricately carved screen, splendid stained glass, brasses, tombs and a magnificent organ. There are many other treasures, making this lovely old building well worth a visit.

The town was the home of William Cowper, poet and hymn writer, he was born here in 1731. Another writer who lived in the town was Graham Greene, his father was headmaster of Berkhamsted School.

With so much to see and experience this fascinating little town makes the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend away from it all. It is a place where you can 'do' the sights or simply sit on the canal bank watching the world (or rather the boats) go by.

Places to visit include: The Grand Union Canal, Berkhamsted Castle, St.Peter's Church, The Ridgeway Path, and Wildfowl Park at nearby St. Leonard's.


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 Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted Castle(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)Pictures
Chenies Manor House(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction S)Pictures
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction N)Pictures
Dunstable Downs Country Park, Dunstable(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)Pictures
Redbournbury Mill(8.2 miles, 13.1 km, direction E)Pictures
The Chilterns Gateway Centre(8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction N)Pictures
Coombe Hill(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction W)Pictures
Rothamsted Park(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction NE)Pictures
Verulamium Park St Albans(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction E)Pictures
Mentmore Towers(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW)Pictures
St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction E)Pictures
The Mayflower Barn(10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction S)Pictures
Bekonscot Model Village(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction S)Pictures
Hughenden Manor(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction SW)Pictures
King's Head(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction W)Pictures

All attractions in Berkhamsted
All attractions in Hertfordshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Berkhamsted

Chesham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SW)
Located in the picturesque Chess Valley along the Chiltern hills and surrounded by famland, Chesham is one of Buckinghamshire's...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tring, in the county of Hertfordshire (4.5 miles, 7.3 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

Hemel Hempstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (5.1 miles, 8.3 km, direction E)
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

Amersham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction S)
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...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Great Missenden, a Picturesque Village in the county of Buckinghamshire (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SW)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wendover, in the county of Buckinghamshire (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction W)
Wendover, is a spacious town and situated amidst beautiful open countryside.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dunstable, a Historic Market Town in the county of Bedfordshire (8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction N)
Henry I gave Dunstable its first "Royal" charter making it a market town, this was at the time he founded the town's Augustinian priory in 1131.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rickmansworth, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction SE)
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

St Albans, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction E)
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

Aylesbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction W)
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire, taking over the mantle from the town of Buckingham during the 16th...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Beaconsfield, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction S)
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

Wing, in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NW)
Wing has a long history, it was recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086, and people passing through here en-route for famous Ascott...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Princes Risborough, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction W)
An exquisite feature of the town is the Norman Church of St.Mary, the church shows restoration work from the 13th and 14th centuries and a modern spire built during the early part of the 20th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

High Wycombe, a Historic Market Town in the county of Buckinghamshire (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction SW)
The largest town in Buckinghamshire county, and once famous for its thriving chair making industry, High Wycombe is the only town...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wheathampstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction E)
An abiding feature of Wheathampstead is it beautiful 14th-century church dedicated to Saint Helen.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Hertfordshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Berkhamsted Station(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Tring Station(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction NW)
M1 Junction 8(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
M25 Junction 20(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction SE)
London Luton Airport(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction NE)
London Heathrow Airport(20.4 miles, 32.9 km, direction S)
Berkhamsted to London(25.7 miles, 41.4 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Berkhamsted

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Berkhamsted center
Hemel Hempstead West Premier Travel Inn(2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction SE)
Best Western The Watermill(2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction SE)
Pendley Manor(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction NW)
Bobsleigh Hotel(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction E)
Express By Holiday Inn Hemel Hempstead(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction E)
Rose & Crown Hotel(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW)
Kings Langley Premier Travel Inn(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)
Kings Arms Hotel(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction S)
The Crown(6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction S)
Ramada Hemel Hempstead(6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction E)
All hotels in Berkhamsted

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