Car Hire Hemel Hempstead - Mini guide to Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead is a bustling Hertfordshire town with a modern town centre, an interesting Old Town, and markets held throughout the week including a popular weekly antiques market. The town is also located within a 30-minute train ride of London.

A walk around Hemel must begin at the modern Marlowes Shopping Centre located at the heart of the town, and is part of a largely pedestrianised central shopping area. A little further past the pedestrianised area you will find a colourful traditional market which sells everything from fruit and vegetables to household goods. On Wednesday’s the market becomes a haven for antiques browsers looking to find a bargain. The new town is also home to Hemel Hempstead’s Water Gardens, designed by famous architect Sir Geoffry Jellicoe in 1957.

Head on to the Old Town, and in particular the High Street, said to be one of Hertfordshire’s prettiest streets. The Old Town streets leading off High Street are full of specialist shops selling anything from fine art to angling supplies. From here, you can follow in Henry VIII's Footsteps along the Hemel Hempstead Old Town Heritage Trail which extends along the Gade Valley passing the Marchmont Arms to the picturesque hamlet of Piccotts End.

Hemel’s streets are lined with numerous cafes and restaurants for a break throughout the day, but for pub food in particular head to the Old Town area where many good quality establishments can be found. The Old Town is also home to many of Hemel’s finest restaurants offering every type of cuisine from Italian to Thai.

A short drive east of Hemel Hempstead is the ancient Roman town of St. Albans, home to the Verulamium Museum. The museum is set in 100 acres of parkland on the site of one of the major cities in Roman Britain. Recreated Roman rooms, magnificent mosaics and wall plasters are among the many attractions.

Hemel Hempstead’s nearest airport is Luton, which has daily services from many European destinations. Heathrow airport is less than an hour’s drive via the M25 motorway, and motorists have easy access to this ring road and the North of England using the nearby M1, alternatively the A41 head west. By train you can catch a twice-hourly service from London Euston station.