Berkhamsted Tourist Information

Berkhamsted is set on the edge of the Chiltern Hills, and it's history dates back before Saxon times.

In 1066 the town played a crucial role in the history England. It was outside the fort at Berkhamsted that William the Conqueror finally accepted the surrender of the Saxons and was declared King of England.

The Saxon fort was subsequently replaced by an impressive Norman castle, built by Robert de Mortain, brother of William the Conqueror. The substantial earthworks of the castle can still be seen today.

The valley route north through Berkhamsted has always been very important. Originally part of a Roman road (Akeman Street), it later became a turnpike and major route to the north.

In 1798 the Grand Junction, now the Grand Union Canal was opened through Berkhamsted. Up until World War II the canal was a principal artery of the industrial revolution linking London with the West Midlands.

Communications were improved further with the arrival of the railways in the mid-19th century.

Today the elegant town has built on its historic roots and is a thriving centre of retail commerce, with a wide range of other business services.

The town is still surrounded by beautiful countryside and to the north is Berkhamsted Common and the Ashridge Estate, run by the National Trust.