Short History of Hemel

Although Hemel Hempstead is a "New Town", the area has a past that goes back a long way. Originally covered in forest, the land was gradually cleared, and there is some evidence that New Stone Age, Iron Age and Bronze Age man lived in the area, although not all at the same time.

The origin of the word Hemel probably came from "Haemele" which was the name of this district in the eighth century (most likely named after the person that owned it). 

The High Street

The "old" High Street was the centre of Hemel Hempstead before it became a "new town", it contained the parish church, market place, Town Hall and believe it or not, no less than 24 pubs (no points for guessing what was the favourite pastime of the era) most of the pubs have now closed and have become shops or restaurants. The street is one of the borough's conservation areas and for the most part keeps its old world looks, winding uphill with buildings varying in age from the 16th century up to the present day.

The Magic Roundabout

It used to be called the Plough or Moor End roundabout but the "Magic" roundabout, or the funny roundabout, as it tends to be called now, was built to cope with the increased congestion that came as Hemel grew. On the first day of operation in June 1973, traffic came to a standstill and backed up to Berkhamsted. Drivers eventually got used to it although you still see the odd trilby hatted motorist causing chaos and looking totally lost on the roundabout. which in fact is a series of small roundabouts around one big one.