Major city · United Kingdom
Hemel Hempstead
Skip as a base unless you have a reason to be here: it is a 35-min train from London Euston, so use it as a day trip or a cheap bed, not a destination.
Hemel Hempstead is a post-war new town in Hertfordshire with a small old town, a Norman church with one of England's tallest spires, and a canal running through its southern edge. It is 35 minutes from London Euston by train and close to the M1 and M25, which makes it useful as a cheap base or a half-day stop rather than a place to build a trip around. Most visitors come for the Snow Centre, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour nearby, or a night between London and the Midlands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
- Airports
- London Luton (LTN) · London Heathrow (LHR) · London Stansted (STN)
- Nights
- 1
About Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a Hertfordshire town of almost 100,000 people (2011 census). It was developed as a new town after World War II, though settlement there goes back to the 8th century. The old town keeps period buildings, pubs and shops around the Old Town Hall, while the modern centre is a planned shopping area with the indoor Marlowes Centre and an outdoor market. St Mary's, a Norman church from around 1140, has a 200-ft spire counted among England's tallest. The Grand Union Canal runs past the west side and through Apsley in the south. The town lies on the M1 and M25 and the A41 and A414, with trains to London Euston taking 35 minutes.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
See
What is worth your time in Hemel Hempstead.
- St Mary's Church — A Norman church built from around 1140 whose 200-ft spire, added in the 12th century, is one of England's tallest.
- The Old Town — Period buildings, pubs, shops and the Old Town Hall give it the character of a 19th-century market town.
- Magic Roundabout — An interchange where six routes meet through mini roundabouts around one large one, officially named 1 The Plough.
- Boxmoor Meadows — A nature preserve south of the town on London Road.
- Frogmore Paper Mill — A museum in Apsley marking the 200 years when paper manufacture was central to the town.
Eat and drink
Specialities of this place.
- The Three Horseshoes — A 16th-century canal-side pub at Winkwell with a restaurant, gluten-free menu and outside seating in summer.
- K2 Balti House — An Indian restaurant and take-away on Two Waters Road, described as one of the finest in the area.
- The Old Bell — A pub and food place on High Street with parts built in 1615 and French wallpaper from 1821 cleaned by the Victoria & Albert Museum.
- The Full House — A Wetherspoon pub on the corner of the Marlowes and Combe Street, housed in the old cinema building.
Customs
- The town centre mixes a planned shopping area and indoor mall with an outdoor market.
- The Magic Roundabout divides opinion: in 2005 it was voted the UK's second worst roundabout, and by 2011 the best in a different poll.
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hemel Hempstead999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hemel Hempstead, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA safe town by UK standards; the main risks are traffic on the Magic Roundabout, dark canal paths at night…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLTN London Luton (About 11 miles away; National Express coach direct, check times).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable; local buses link the railway station to the town centre and Jarman Park.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£10–18 (≈ US$14–25)
- BeerPint of beer£4–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 3 miles£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare in town£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room£70 (≈ US$95)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per room£70 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LTN London Luton (About 11 miles away; National Express coach direct, check times) · LHR London Heathrow (About 25 miles away; National Express coach direct, check times) · STN London Stansted (National Express coach direct, check times)
Map of Hemel Hempstead
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Hemel Hempstead
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Kings Langley · 4.2 km straight line
- Abbots Langley · 6.2 km straight line
- Redbourn · 6.3 km straight line
- Berkhamsted · 7.7 km straight line
- St Albans · 7.8 km straight line
- Harpenden · 9.7 km straight line
- London Colney · 11 km straight line
- Watford · 11 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hemel Hempstead: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable; local buses link the railway station to the town centre and Jarman Park. Hertfordshire's Explorer bus ticket gives unlimited travel for up to 2 adults and 2 children for £7. Taxis are available; A Class Taxis is a local firm.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Train from Hemel Hempstead to St Albans Abbey, change at Watford, or bus
Cathedral, Roman ruins and a market; a full half-day.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Watford Junction, then the shuttle bus
Book tickets weeks ahead; dated and timed entry only.
Door to door: About 35 min
Train from Hemel Hempstead to London Euston, about every 20 min weekdays
A Day Travelcard is around £14 and covers London Underground all day.
Door to door: About 20 min
Train from Hemel Hempstead, about 10 min
Canal, castle ruins and a small high street.
Tring
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Train from Hemel Hempstead, about 15 min
Natural History Museum at Tring is free; check opening days.
Door to door: About 1 h
Train or bus, check connections
Only worth it if you have a specific reason.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Marlowes)
Walk to shops, market and bus stops; Premier Inn and Travelodge here.
Apsley
Canal-side, quieter, near the station and the Holiday Inn Express.
Boxmoor
Residential, near the station and canal pubs; good for a one-night stop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £40–70 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel double room1 × 1 night × £70 | £70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Train Hemel Hempstead → London Euston, return off-peak2 × £14 | £28 |
| Hertfordshire Explorer bus ticket, one day1 × £7 | £7 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £30 |
| Trip total≈ £163 per person per day, bed included | £325≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £10–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus fare in town | £2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi, 3 miles | £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| The Snow Centre lift pass, 1 h | from about £25 (≈ US$35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Magic Roundabout is six mini-roundabouts around one large one: if you are driving, follow the lane markings and do not stop in the middle.
- Weekend trains from London Euston are sometimes replaced by buses for engineering work: check National Rail before you travel.
- Off-peak weekday fares after 09:30 are cheaper than peak.Off-peak weekday fares after 9:30 AM are cheaper than peak.
- Some pubs and restaurants in the old town have limited hours; check before you go.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 999
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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Hemel HempsteadHemel Hempstead
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)999
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Hemel Hempstead; London has the main embassies and consulates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Hemel Hempstead → London Euston: about £14 (≈ US$19) Day Travelcard off-peak
- Bus Hemel Hempstead → Luton Airport: National Express, check times and fare
- Taxi town centre → Apsley: £8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the station? — Where is the station?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hemel Hempstead. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LTN and LHR: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: old town and St Mary's, Marlowes and Riverside, Apsley and the canal, Boxmoor.
- Place pages with verified hours (St Mary's, Frogmore Paper Mill, The Snow Centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weekend engineering-work fixtures so rail replacement buses show as a warning, not a surprise.
Sources
- officialThink Hemel — official visitor site
- officialNational Rail — Hemel Hempstead station
- officialThe Snow Centre
- officialSt Mary's and St Paul's Church
- officialFrogmore Paper Mill
- officialBox Moor Trust
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hemel Hempstead, revision 5242776 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Hemel Hempstead
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