Hemel Hempstead in 50 Buildings

Explore the rich history of Hemel Hempstead in this guided tour through its most fascinating historic and modern buildings. Although Hemel Hempstead is a new town, the first recorded mention of the town is in the Anglo-Saxon period. The old town saw planned development along the High Street in medieval times and in the early sixteenth century a borough charter was granted, giving the right to hold a weekly market and yearly fair. After the Second World War Hemel Hempstead was chosen as one of the sites of the government’s new towns. Architect Geoffrey Jellicoe’s initial plans were rejected as too expensive and impractical, but the structure of Jellicoe’s town centre was largely retained. Starting in 1952, a new town centre was built at Marlowes, beside the Water Gardens diverted from the River Gade. This building phase was finished in 1962 and later in the decade West Herts College, a library, police station and cinema were added, as well as new housing and commercial developments up to the present day, as well as the Forum council offices. Hemel Hempstead in 50 Buildings explores the history of this town in Hertfordshire through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live or have an interest in the area.