View from the Church Tower over Berkhamsted Collegiate School and the Castle to the Common.

Berkhamsted and its neighbours
Berkhamsted lies on the western edge of Hertfordshire, bordering the Chiltern Hills. Over much of the last millennium it was an important market town with strong royal and literary connections; today it is a vibrant residential and cultural centre, and while it is now part of the Borough of Dacorum it has retained its own strong identity.

Together with the adjoining village of Northchurch it is separated from other towns and villages by lovely countryside, all of it in the Metropolitan Green Belt and much of it classified as being an area of outstanding natural beauty. Berkhamsted has its own Town Council and Mayor, and the Berkhamsted Citizens Association, with over 1000 members, is also there to champion the interests of local people.

In its position in the valley of the River Bulbourne – one of the Chiltern chalk streams - Berkhamsted lies on the principal transport corridor from London to the Northwest. The Roman road called Akeman Street passed through Berkhamsted, later to become a major coaching route. The Grand Union Canal and Britain’s most important railway - the West Coast Main Line - are also routed through the town.

Thunderdell Wood.

Today the M1 and M25 motorways are within 15 minutes drive; London is 27 miles (43km) away and Euston Station can be reached by frequent fast local trains, many taking only half an hour for the journey. Heathrow is 27 miles (43km) by road; Watford is 11 miles (18km) to the Southeast, Aylesbury 12 miles (19km) to the Northwest.

Apart from the other advantages of its location, Berkhamsted is an excellent centre for exploring the northern half of the Chiltern Hills and other fine walking country. Close to the town are Berkhamsted Common and 5000 acres of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate.