25 miles north of London is the market town of Berkhamsted, in Hertfordshire. Referred to as Berko by the locals, this picturesque village boasts history, heritage, contemporary restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. This all contributed to the town being named as the 'Best Place to Live' by the Sunday Times.
The High Street, which is the vibrant heart of this village town, is lined with impressive Grade II listed buildings, chain stores, independents, antique shops, and boutique stores. Surrounded by Conservation Areas and Areas of Outstanding Beauty; it is easy to leave the hustle and bustle of the town centre and immerse yourself in nature and wildlife. Exploring this beautiful countryside provides hours of entertainment for the whole family, your four-legged friends included. Take a leisurely stroll or hike up the idyllic Chiltern Hills, explore one of the many popular walking trails in the area, or head to Little Gaddeston and wander through the Red Cedar woods or search for the Ivinghoe Beacon.
Each season brings a variety of colour and changes to the landscape, creating new experiences all year round.
The earliest written reference to Berkhamsted was in 970. It was recorded as a burbium (ancient borough) in 1086. The oldest known extant jettied timber-framed building in Great Britain, built between 1277 and 1297, survives as a shop on the town's current high street.
Berkhamsted is a lively town set in a valley of the Chiltern Hills with a history going back beyond Saxon times. Another legacy of the Saxons is the name of the town. The original meaning of which was probably 'settlement among the birches'.
Roman remains in the form of coins, bricks, tiles and pottery have been found at several sites in the town.
One of the great events that made 1066 the best remembered date in English history took place in Berkhamsted. Here the Saxon leaders offered the crown of England to William the Conqueror after his victory in the Battle of Hastings and his devastating march, encircling London. One of William's first initiatives was to set about fortifying his new kingdom with castles, and one of these was built in Berkhamsted.
Today, there is an insatiable demand from people wishing to live in the town.
Transport Links
Berkhamsted is a town with excellent transport links. Positioned within equidistance of Hemel Hempstead and Aylesbury in neighbouring Buckinghamshire. Hemel Hempstead provides a junction with North-South M1 motorway and nearby London orbital, the M25. By car, you can reach London within an hour, as well as the historic town of Oxford.
For international travel, Heathrow Airport takes 45 minutes to reach by car and Gatwick is approximately an hour and 15 minutes away. Luton Airport is only 25 minutes away.
Berkhamsted station offers Mainline railway services to London Euston and there are further connections to Clapham Junction, Milton Keynes, Tring and Northampton. Frequent bus services run through Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead and Watford.
Cyclists are served well with cycle paths in and around the town.
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