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City guide

Hemel Hempstead, UK

Hemel Hempstead is a town in the Dacorum district of Hertfordshire, England. It is located 24 miles (39 km) north-west of London; nearby towns and cities include Watford, St Albans and Berkhamsted.

Type City

Why go

  • Town in Hertfordshire, England.
  • Served by Bovingdon Airstrip.

History

Hemel Hempstead is a town in the Dacorum district of Hertfordshire, England. It is located 24 miles (39 km) north-west of London; nearby towns and cities include Watford, St Albans and Berkhamsted. The population at the 2021 census was 95,961.

Restaurants & places to go

American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 46 Harpenden Road, St Albans, AL3 5AH · harvester.co.uk
Indoor
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: takeaway · 241 London Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9SE · mcdonalds.com
Indoor
Latin American, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 11:00-21:00; Th 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating · 61 - 63 High… · iguanas.co.uk
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating · beefeater.co.uk
Indoor
Indian, Restaurant · Features: step-free access · 29 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1HD · mokadining.co.uk
Indoor
Cafe · Also has a cycle workshop for parts and servicing Opening hours: Tu-Su 08:00-16:00 Features: outdoor seating · Hawridge Common, Chesham, HP5 2UQ · chilternvelo.co.uk
Indoor
Fast Food · Fish and chip shop located in Grovehill Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-22:00 · 7 Henry Wells Square, Hemel Hempstead · fishnchickn.co.uk
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su 11:30-22:00; Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:30-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 26 High Street, St Albans, AL3 4EL · zizzi.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 07:30-18:00; Su 08:00-17:30 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 69 The Broadway, Chesham, HP5 1EG · caffenero.com
Indoor
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-23:00; Sa 09:00-23:00; Su 09:00-22:30 · 3 High Street, St Albans, AL3 4ED · cote.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th, Su 10:00-02:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-04:45 Features: takeaway · Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4FQ · dominos.co.uk
Indoor
Tapas, Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 12:00-21:30 · Amenbury Lane, Harpenden, AL5 2BT · gigglingsquid.com
Indoor
Steak, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-00:30 · 11-13 Victoria Street, St Albans, AL1 3JJ · millerandcarter.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Portuguese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:30; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00 · 19-23 Chequer Street, St Albans, AL1 3YJ · nandos.co.uk
Indoor
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-20:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 25-27 St Peter's Street, St Albans, AL1 3DP · pret.co.uk
Indoor
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Su-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 6 Christopher Place, St… · wagamama.com
Indoor
Wings, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · Market Street, Watford, WD18 0LG · wingstop.co.uk
Indoor
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th,Su 12:00-14:30,17:30-22:30; Fr,Sa 12:00-16:30,17:30-23:00 · 80 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2SP · bangkoklounge.com
Indoor
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 18:30-23:30; Tu-Sa 12:00-14:30, 18:30-23:30; Su 12:00-15:00, 19:00-22:00 · 8 Adelaide Street, St Albans, AL3 5BH · barmeze.co.uk
Indoor
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-14:15,17:00-20:45; Fr-Sa 11:00-14:15,17:00-21:15 Features: outdoor seating · 131 Southdown Road, Harpenden,… · bentozo.co.uk
Indoor
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-14:00, 17:30-23:00; Su 12:00-22:00 · 26 Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 1BZ · chi-uk.com
Indoor
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00 · 145B Victoria Street, St Albans, AL1 3TA · coddess.co.uk
Indoor
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-00:00 · 2 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 3RP · elysiumbistro.co.uk
Indoor
Turkish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 13:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 13:00-23:00; Su 14:00-22:00 Features: delivery · 36 Station Road, Harpenden, AL5 4ST · harpendengrill.com
Indoor
Breakfast, Pancake, Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00; Sa 08:00-17:00; Su 09:00-16:00 · 24 Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 2AB · jesterandmore.co.uk
Indoor
Moroccan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr,Su 11:30-15:30,18:00-23:30; Sa 10:00-16:00,18:00-23:30 · 31 Market Place, St Albans, AL3 5DL · littlemarrakech.co.uk
Indoor
Fish, Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30; Su 12:00-21:00 Features: vegan options · 14-16 Heritage Close, St Albans, AL3 4EB · lussmanns.com
Indoor
Sushi, Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-15:00,17:00-23:00; Sa,Su 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 7-11 The Colonade,… · sushimania.co.uk
Indoor
Bangladeshi, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 17:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:30-23:30; Su 17:30-22:30 · 36 Station Road, Harpenden, AL5 4ST · the1971.co.uk
Indoor
Kebab, Turkish, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 137 Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PU · towngrillkebab.co.uk
Indoor
Brunch, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu 18:00-22:00; We-Sa 12:00-14:30,18:00-22:00 · 247-249 High Street, Berkhamsted, HP4 1AB · wildrestaurant.co.uk
Indoor
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Features: step-free access · creamscafe.com
Indoor
Tex-Mex, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 216 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1BH · locations.tacobell.co.uk
Indoor
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Vietnamese restaurant · 18 Christopher Place, St Albans, AL3 5DQ · phocafe.co.uk
Indoor
Cantonese, Fish And Chips, Chinese, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, delivery · 168 Whippendell Road, Watford, WD18 7NB
Indoor
International, Restaurant · International restaurant · Redhall Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 4LU · primesteakandgrill.com
Indoor
Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-14:30,17:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:30,17:30-23:30; Su 12:00-23:00 · 1 Katherine Place, Abbots Langley, WD5 0BT · aromakitchen.co.uk
Indoor
Modern French Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 12:00-14:30,18:00-23:00 · 136-142 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1PQ
Indoor
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-17:30 Features: delivery · 28 Chequer Street, St Albans, AL1 3YD
Indoor
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant · 10 St Johns Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JR · boxmoorsteakhouse.co.uk
Indoor
Lebanese, Restaurant · Lebanese restaurant · 57 The Broadway, Chesham, HP5 1BX · lebanesevillagechesham.co.uk
Indoor
Cake, Cafe · Cake cafe
Indoor
Crepe, Dessert, Cafe · Crepe/Dessert cafe · 37 Market Place, St Albans, AL3 5DL
Indoor
Dessert, Restaurant · Dessert restaurant · 42 High Street, Watford, WD17 2BS
Indoor
Noodle, Sushi, Restaurant · Noodle/Sushi restaurant · 144 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1PQ
Indoor

355 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Heathrow Airport (LHR) 19 mi to the centre
London, ENG, GB — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 86 airlines (British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Finnair…) · direct flights to 171 destinations incl. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 86 airlines, 171 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
London Luton Airport (LTN) 9.6 mi to the centre
Airport Way, Luton LU2 9LY — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 8 airlines (easyJet, Wizz Air, Ryanair, Monarch Airlines…) · direct flights to 85 destinations incl. Arrecife, Faro, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Sharm El Sheikh… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Serves London (28 mi) — the low-cost way in
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 8 airlines, 85 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Wycombe Air Park (HYC) 17 mi to the centre
Marlow, Buckinghamshire, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Bovingdon Airstrip 3.6 mi to the centre
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Plaistows Airfield 4.3 mi to the centre
St Albans, Hertfordshire, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Where to stay

Hemel Hempstead Rd, Redbourn, St Albans AL3 7AF, United Kingdom · aubreypark.co.uk
Indoor
4 Coniston Rd, Kings Langley WD4 8BU, United Kingdom · theconistonrooms.co.uk
Indoor
The Croft, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3BP, United Kingdom · thecroftfarmescape.com
Indoor
Pouchen End Ln, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2SN, United Kingdom · fuzzys.farm
Indoor
Highridge Farm, Roman Rd, Frithsden, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3DD, United Kingdom · facebook.com
Indoor
The Common, Chipperfield, Kings Langley WD4 9BS, United Kingdom · chefandbrewer.com
Indoor
London Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RA, United Kingdom · boxmoorlodge.com
Indoor
Cotterells, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1AL, United Kingdom · ritualstays.com
Indoor
Stationers Pl, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9RH, United Kingdom · ihg.com
Indoor
Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4UA, United Kingdom · ihg.com
Indoor
Moor End Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1BT, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
A41 Service Area, Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2SB, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
London Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP3 0AA, United Kingdom · shendish-manor.com
Indoor
37 Hempstead Rd, Kings Langley WD4 8BR, United Kingdom · premierinn.com
Indoor
London Rd, Bourne End, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2RJ, United Kingdom · hotelwatermill.co.uk
Indoor
The Olde Kings Arms, 41 High St, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AF, United Kingdom · theoldekingsarms.co.uk
Indoor
Gadebridge point, Cotterells, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1AN, United Kingdom
Indoor
Midland Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP2 5BH, United Kingdom
Indoor
2 Warmark Rd, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3PZ, United Kingdom
Indoor
12 Imperial Way, Hemel Hempstead HP3 9FJ, United Kingdom
Indoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Bovingdon Airstrip; 3 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Hemel Hempstead, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
Broker, marketplace · Operator network worldwide · Online charter marketplace, part of Directional Aviation; instant quotes.
Marketplace · Operator network · Transparent on-demand jet charter marketplace showing the operator and tail.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.