Built-up area in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, England
| Coordinates: | 51.752, -0.473 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | TL 05 07 |
| Population: | 85,629 |
| Dialling code: | 01442 |
Hemel Hempstead is a large town in the borough of Dacorum, Hertfordshire, England, sitting in the valley of the River Gade with the Grand Union Canal nearby and the Chiltern Hills close to the south. It still has a recognisable Old Town around Church Square with some historic timber‑framed buildings and independent shops, while parks and commons such as Boxmoor offer green space along the waterways.
Designated a New Town after the Second World War (1947), Hemel Hempstead grew rapidly and now combines residential suburbs with significant industry and offices, centred on Maylands Business Park and industrial areas that grew out of earlier paper‑making at Apsley and Nash Mills. The town is also known for its quirky traffic layout around the so‑called Magic Roundabout, and serves as a commuter and regional hub with good road links to the M1 and M25 and rail access towards London via the West Coast Main Line.