Things to Do in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a Hertfordshire new town with an older heart, and its best days out use the canal, the Old Town and the countryside beyond.
The canal at Boxmoor and Apsley
The Grand Union Canal runs along the edge of the town, and the towpath near Boxmoor and Apsley is level, quiet and easy to follow. Narrowboats pass slowly and there are benches at intervals. It is the simplest way to be outdoors without leaving town.
The Grand Union Canal runs along the edge of the town, and the towpath near Boxmoor and Apsley is level, quiet and easy to follow.
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The Old Town for a high street with age
Hemel Hempstead has an Old Town, away from the modern centre, with a long high street, older buildings and a village feel. A couple of hours there, with a stop for lunch, is a good contrast to the busier shopping area.
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Somewhere to book a room or a table for the evening, in Hemel Hempstead itself.
Book somewhere first, then see who is free this evening.
Common land and open fields
Boxmoor has a stretch of open common land beside the railway and the water, and the edges of town give way quickly to fields and woods. These are public places where dog walkers and families are always about, so they work well for a relaxed first meeting.
Boxmoor has a stretch of open common land beside the railway and the water, and the edges of town give way quickly to fields and woods.
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Rainy day plans
If the forecast turns, the covered shopping centre and cafes with deep seats give you a roof for the afternoon. A smaller town has fewer big indoor sights, so keep expectations modest and choose somewhere to sit.
If the forecast turns, the covered shopping centre and cafes with deep seats give you a roof for the afternoon.
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Trains and the wider area
The railway station serves the main line, with trains heading for London and the Midlands. A short hop takes you to Berkhamsted for a change of scene, and the Chiltern countryside is close if you drive.
The railway station serves the main line, with trains heading for London and the Midlands.
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Getting about
Distances can be longer than they look, so a bus or a taxi is useful for the last mile on a wet day. If you only have a couple of hours, pick one of the three, the towpath, the Old Town or the common, and give it time instead of rushing between them. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while weekends draw families out to the open spaces.
Distances can be longer than they look, so a bus or a taxi is useful for the last mile on a wet day.
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An evening in a quieter town
An evening here is slower than in a big city. The Old Town is calm once the shops close, and the towpath is unlit in places, so it is better left for the next morning. Trains back toward London stop running late in the evening, so find out the final departure and book a taxi in advance for the final stretch.
An evening here is slower than in a big city.
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Age and the site
Readers under 18 should leave the site, because the whole service is for adults, and every idea above is meant for people who are already grown up.
Readers under 18 should leave the site, because the whole service is for adults, and every idea above is meant for people who are already grown up.
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Frequently asked questions
For a quiet change of pace, yes. Trains from London reach the town directly, and the canal and the Old Town can be covered in an afternoon.
Hemel Hempstead station is in the Boxmoor area, close to the canal, so you can reach the towpath on foot soon after leaving the platform.
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