Hemel Hempstead

Getting to Hemel Hempstead

The town is served by the M1 and M25 motorways and the A41 and A414 trunk roads.

Worth seeing

The Old Town has quite a few period buildings, including, pubs, shops and the Old Town Hall, giving it the feel of a 19th-century market town.

1. 01
   St Mary's

   The Norman church was built from around 1140 and has an unusual 200-ft (61-m) tall spire, added in the 12th century, and one of England's tallest.

2. 02
   Boxmoor
3. 03
   Frogmore Paper Mill
4. 04
   Magic Roundabout

   Hemel is famous (or perhaps notorious) for its "Magic Roundabout", an interchange where traffic from six routes meet in a series of mini roundabouts connected by a gyratory system.

Things to do

Wander north up the Grand Union Canal, pass a few locks, and after about 15 minutes you will come to a pub called "The Three Horseshoes". It dates back to the 16th century, and in summer you can enjoy your beer sitting outside by the canal. Go south for a couple of locks and you come to Apsley Lock marina. This has a canal side pub called "The Papermill" as well as waterfront restaurants and cafés.

1. 01
   The Snow Centre
2. 02
   Quasar
3. 03
   CineWorld

   Jarman Square, Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4JW, premium).

4. 04
   Planet Ice
5. 05
   Sportspace

Where to eat

1. 01
   K2 Balti House

   5 Two Waters Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9BZ, contact@k2baltihouse.co.uk.

2. 02
   The Dragon Garden

   119-121 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BB,.

3. 03
   The Banana Leaf

   127-129 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BB,.

4. 04
   The Three Horseshoes

   Moderately sized pub with restaurant, a good mix of menu items.