View source for Berkhamsted

{{short description|Town in Hertfordshire, England}}
{{distinguish|Little Berkhamsted}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox UK place
|type = Town
|country = England
|static_image_name = {{multiple image
| border = infobox  | total_width = 270
| image_style = border:1;  | perrow = 2/2/2
| image1 = Old Town Hall Berkhamsted.jpg
| caption1 = [[Berkhamsted Town Hall]]
| image2 = St Peter's Parish Church, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.jpg
| caption2 = [[Church of St Peter, Great Berkhamsted|St Peter's Church]]
| image3 = Berkhamsted_Castle_Jan_2007.jpg
| caption3 = [[Berkhamsted Castle]]
| image4 = GOC Berkhamsted & Frithsden 031 Ashridge House, Little Gaddesden (28454689336).jpg
| caption4 = [[Ashridge]]
| image5 = Canal boats on the Grand Union Canal - geograph.org.uk - 2164782.jpg
| caption5 = [[Grand Union Canal]]
| image6 = Berkhamsted Rex auditorium1.jpg
| caption6 = [[The Rex, Berkhamsted|The Rex]] cinema
}}
|static_image_width =400
|static_image_alt = The Victorian Gothic style Old Town Hall, Berkhamsted
|static_image_2_name = Berkhamsted Town Crest.png
|static_image_2_width = 120px
|static_image_2_caption = Coat of arms
|static_image_2_alt = The town's coat of arms, a castle surrounded by 13 solid gold circles or heraldic bezants.
|coordinates      = {{coord|51.76|-0.56|display=inline,title}}
|official_name= Berkhamsted
|population = 21,245
|population_ref = <ref name="CP"/>
|shire_district = [[Dacorum]]
|shire_county = [[Hertfordshire]]
|region= East of England
|constituency_westminster= [[Harpenden and Berkhamsted (UK Parliament constituency)|Harpenden and Berkhamsted]]
|post_town= BERKHAMSTED
|postcode_district = HP4
|postcode_area= HP
|dial_code= 01442
|os_grid_reference= SP993077
}}

'''Berkhamsted''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɝː|k|əm|s|t|ɛ|d}} {{respell|BUR|kəm|sted}}) is a [[market town]] in [[Hertfordshire]], England. Located in the [[River Bulbourne|Bulbourne valley]], it is {{convert|26|miles|km|0}} north-west of London and had a population of 21,245 at the 2021 census.<ref name="CP">{{cite web |title=Berkhamsted |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/eastofengland/hertfordshire/E63004435__berkhamsted/ |website=CITY POPULATION |publisher=City Population |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|url=http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|title=Berkhamsted Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Proposals|publisher=Dacorum Borough Council|date=2015|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063326/http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chilternsaonb.org/uploads/files/AboutTheChilterns/HistoricEnvironment/The_Changing_Landscape_of_the_Chilterns.pdf|title=The Changing Landscape of the Chilterns|work=Chilterns Historic Landscape Characterisation Project|publisher=Chilterns Conservation Board and Buckinghamshire County Council|year=2009|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235434/http://www.chilternsaonb.org/uploads/files/AboutTheChilterns/HistoricEnvironment/The_Changing_Landscape_of_the_Chilterns.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town is a [[civil parish]] within the [[borough]] of [[Dacorum]] which is based in the neighbouring large [[Planned community|new town]] of [[Hemel Hempstead]].{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=73}} Berkhamsted, along with the adjoining village of [[Northchurch]], is surrounded by countryside, and the [[Chiltern Hills]], an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] (AONB).<ref>{{cite web |title=Berkhamsted Town Guide |url=http://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/town-guide.html |publisher=Berhamsted Town Council |access-date=19 November 2017 |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605155318/https://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/town-guide.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Berkhamsted was first mentioned in 970 CE and was recorded as a ''burbium'' ([[ancient borough]]) in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086. A (now ruined) [[motte-and-bailey castle|motte-and-bailey]] [[Norman architecture|Norman]] castle was built shortly after the [[Norman Conquest]] and remained a royal possession and residence for four centuries. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the town was a [[Medieval English wool trade|wool trading]] centre, with a busy local market. The oldest-known extant [[Jettying|jettied]] timber-framed building in Great Britain, built between 1277 and 1297, survives as a shop on the town's high street.<ref name="EH173">{{NHLE |num=1246942 |desc=173 High Street, Berkhamsted |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="BBC173">{{cite news |title=Restoration boost for oldest shop |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2801215.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=26 February 2003 |access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref>
The town's literary connections include the 17th-century hymnist and poet [[William Cowper]], the 18th-century writer [[Maria Edgeworth]] and the 20th-century novelist [[Graham Greene]]. Arts institutions in the town include [[The Rex, Berkhamsted|The Rex]] (a well regarded independent cinema) and the [[British Film Institute]]'s [[BFI National Archive]] at King's Hill, which is one of the largest film and television archives in the world.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=60}} Schools in the town include [[Berkhamsted School]], a co-educational boarding [[Private school|independent school]] (founded in 1541 by [[John Incent]], [[Dean of St Paul's|Dean of St Paul's Cathedral]]); [[Ashlyns School]], a state school, whose history began as the [[Foundling Hospital]] established in London by [[Thomas Coram]] in 1742; and [[Hult Ashridge|Ashridge Executive Education]], a business school offering degree level courses, which occupies the Grade I listed neo-Gothic [[Ashridge#Ashridge House|Ashridge House]].

==Toponymy==
[[File:Tring Barkhamsted map 1659.jpg|thumb|[[Joan Blaeu]] map of Hertfordshire from 1659 showing ''Barkhamsted''{{sic}}, one of the many archaic spellings of the town's name]]
The earliest recorded spelling of the town's name is the 10th century [[Anglo-Saxon England|Anglo-Saxon]] ''Beorhðanstædæ''. The first part may have originated from either the [[Old English]] words ''beorg'', meaning "hill", or ''berc'' or ''beorc'', meaning "[[birch]]"; or from the older [[Old Celtic]] word ''Bearroc'', meaning "hilly place". The latter part, "hamsted", derives from the Old English word for homestead. So the town's name could be either mean "homestead amongst the hills" or the "homestead among the birches".<ref name="David Mills">{{cite book|last=Mills | first=David |title=A Dictionary of British Place-Names|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tXucAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA53|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-019960908-6|page=53}}</ref><ref name="Caroline Taggart">{{cite book|author=Caroline Taggart|title=The Book of English Place Names: How Our Towns and Villages Got Their Names|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7xNNERjxFr4C&pg=PA153|year=2011|publisher=Random House|isbn=978009194043-0|page=153}}</ref>

Through history spellings of the town's name have changed. Local historian Rev John Wolstenholme Cobb identified over 50 different versions of the town's name since the writing of the [[Domesday Book]] (such as: "Berkstead", "Berkampsted", "Berkhampstead", "Muche Barkhamstede", "Berkhamsted Magna", "Great Berkhamsteed" and "Berkhamstead".)<ref name=page1908>{{harvnb|Page|1908|pp=[https://archive.org/stream/victoriahis02page#page/162/mode/1up 162–179]}}</ref>{{sfn|Cobb|1883|loc=[https://archive.org/stream/twolecturesonhis00cobbrich#page/104 Appendix I]}}  In 1937 the name was changed by the local council from Great Berkhampstead to Berkhamsted.<ref name=change>{{cite book |last1=Registrar General |title=Quarterly Return: Births, Deaths and Marriages registered in the quarter ended 31st December 1937 |year=1934 |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |page=17 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2iQYAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Great+Berkhampstead%22+change+of+name&pg=RA15-PA17 |access-date=13 September 2021 |quote=Great Berkhampstead Urban District renamed to Berkhamsted Urban District, 19 July 1937.}}</ref> The town is known locally as "Berko".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/threecounties/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8598000/8598429.stm |title=Joseph Millson talks about loving life in Berko|last= Herman |
first=Judi |date=1 April 2010 |publisher=BBC |access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>

==History==

{{main|History of Berkhamsted}}{{see also|Norman Conquest|Berkhamsted Castle|Berkhamsted Place}}

[[File:WAW-C4A5F5.jpg|thumb|An Early Middle Bronze Age (c. 1500 to 1300 BC) copper chisel found in Berkhamsted]]

===Early history===

[[Neolithic]], [[Bronze Age Britain|Bronze Age]], [[British Iron Age|Iron Age]] and Roman artefacts show that the Berkhamsted area of the [[River Bulbourne|Bulbourne Valley]] has been settled for over 5,000 years.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=7}}{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=2–5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/uploads/e-history-etc-040204.pdf|title=Berkhamsted Official Guide 2004|access-date=3 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/124479|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174831/https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/124479|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 December 2017|title=Finds record for: WAW-C4A5F5 |last=Bolton | first=A. | access-date=23 October 2015 |publisher=The Portable Antiquities Scheme }}</ref>

A major iron production around [[Northchurch]] is considered to be one of the most important late Iron Age and Roman industrial areas in England,<ref name="Area 117" />{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=3}} and led to the settlement of a Roman town at [[Cow Roast]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/article/cow-roast-pottery-2/|title=Cow Roast Pottery|publisher=Dacorum Heritage Trust|access-date=1 October 2014}}</ref> about {{convert|2|miles|km|0|spell=on}} northwest of Berkhamsted. Other evidence of settlement includes a pottery kiln on Bridgewater Road.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=4}}<ref name="npsGossoms">{{cite web|url=http://www.lidlberkhamsted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Desktop-Archaelogical-Survey.pdf|title=Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land at Gossoms End, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire|work=Report 2013–1334|publisher=nps archaeology|access-date=10 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915230706/http://www.lidlberkhamsted.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Desktop-Archaelogical-Survey.pdf|archive-date=15 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite report | last1=Griffiths | first1=Claire | last2=Hunn | first2=Jonathan | url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-751-1/dissemination/pdf/archaeol2-9497_2.pdf | date=August 2004 | title=Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment : Castle Wharf, Bridge Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire| publisher=Archaeological Services & Consultancy Ltd}}</ref>  The town's high street still follows the line of the Roman-engineered [[Akeman Street]], which had been a pre-existing route from [[St Albans]] (''Verulamium'') to [[Cirencester]] (''Corinium'').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol1/pp271-281 | title=Romano-British remains: Roads | publisher=Victoria County History, London | work=A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 1 | date=1939 | access-date=13 September 2025 | author=Salzman, L.F. | pages=271–281}}</ref>

During the [[Roman Britain|Roman occupation]] which lasted until 410&nbsp;CE, the Berkhamsted area appears to have been divided into two or three farming estates having [[villa]] buildings,{{sfn|Hastie|1996|p=14}} and remains of a villa were found close to the river,<ref name="StMary">{{cite web|url=http://www.stmarysnorthchurch.org.uk/ourhistory.htm|title=St Mary's church&nbsp;– Our History|access-date=31 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312223738/http://www.stmarysnorthchurch.org.uk/ourhistory.htm|archive-date=12 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/article/northchurch-roman-villa/|title=Northchurch Roman Villa|publisher=Dacorum Heritage Trust|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> A Roman-British villa, dyke, and temple were found {{convert|1.25|miles|km|1}} near the castle at Frithsden. Excavations in 1954 revealed masonry foundations and [[tessera]]e floors. Together, the villa, dyke and temple form a unique complex, suggesting occupation in the late Iron Age and Roman period.<ref name="List Entry Summary">{{NHLE|num=1020914|desc=Berkhamsted Common Romano-British villa, dyke and temple |access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref>{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=4}}<ref name="List entry">{{NHLE|num=1005253|desc=Site of Roman building, N of Berkhamsted Castle |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>

The earliest written reference to Berkhamsted is in the will of [[Ælfgifu (wife of Eadwig)|Ælfgifu]] (died 970&nbsp;CE), the wife of King [[Eadwig]] of England (r. 955–959), who bequeathed land including Berkhamsted.<ref name="343-351">{{ cite web |last=Semmelmann | first=Karin |title=343–351 High Street, Berkhamsted Herts. Desk-Based Archaeological Assessment |publisher=Heritage Network |date=July 2004 | url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-442-1/dissemination/pdf/heritage1-11393.pdf |access-date=17 September 2014 }}</ref> Rare [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] pottery dating from the 7th century and 9th century water mills demonstrate the existence of Anglo-Saxon settlement.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=5-6}} The church may have been an important [[minster (church)|minster]], which became part of the medieval manor of Berkhamsted after the [[Norman Conquest]].<ref name="343-351"/><ref name="Williamson 2010 152">{{Harvnb|Williamson|2010|p=152}}.</ref> By the 14th century the adjoining village of "Berkhamsted St Mary" or "Berkhamsted Minor" had become "North Church", later "Northchurch".{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=5}}<ref name="page1908" /><ref name="StMary" /><ref name="Williamson 2010 152" />{{sfn|Page|1908|pp = [https://archive.org/stream/victoriahis02page#page/245/mode/1up 245-250]}}

===Middle Ages===
In the 13th and 14th centuries, the town was a [[Medieval English wool trade|wool trading]] centre, with a busy local market. The oldest-known extant [[Jettying|jettied]] timber-framed building in Great Britain, built between 1277 and 1297, survives as a shop on the town's high street.<ref name="EH173"/><ref name="BBC173"/>
The Domesday survey records that there was enough land for 26 plough teams, but only 15 working teams. There were two flour mills, woodland for 1,000 pigs, and a vineyard.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=6, 12}} The population was calculated at either 37 or 88 households.<ref name=opend>{{cite web|url=http://opendomesday.org/place/SP9907/berkhamsted/|title=Place: Berkhamsted| publisher=Open Domesday |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="web.dacorum.gov.uk">{{cite web|url=http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|title=Berkhamsted Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Proposals|access-date=23 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063326/http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{refn|Later in the [[Middle Ages]] the Tring Hundred merged with the Danais Hundred, "which overlapped it", to form the Dacorum Hundred. Danais referred to [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danish]] settlers in the area. A monk writing about this area described it as "the Hundred of the Danes", using the word ''Daneis''. The word was later incorrectly transcribed as "Danicorum" and subsequently shortened to "Dacorum".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/about-us/about-dacorum/|title=About Dacorum|publisher= Dacorum Heritage Trust|access-date=20 January 2015}}</ref>|group = "Notes"}}
From 1066 to 1495, [[Berkhamsted Castle]], of which only ruins exist, was a [[Norman architecture|Norman]] [[motte-and-bailey castle|motte-and-bailey]] castle.<ref name="List entry Number: 1010756">{{NHLE|num=1010756 |desc=Berkhamsted motte and bailey castle |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>  was a favoured residence of royalty and the nobility, including King [[Henry II of England|Henry II]], [[Edward the Black Prince]], [[Thomas Becket]] and [[Geoffrey Chaucer]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Pratt|2000|page=41}}</ref> [[Radiocarbon dating]] indicates that it was probably built post-1066.<ref>{{cite journal|title= Normal for Normans? Exploring the large round mounds of England|journal=Current Archaeology|author= Jim Leary, Elaine Jamieson and Phil Stastney|issue=337|publication-date= April 2018|year=2018|url=https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/normal-normans-exploring-large-round-mounds-england.htm|url-access=limited|access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://roundmoundsproject.wordpress.com/2016/10/07/radiocarbon-dates-from-10-castle-mounds-results-of-year-1/ |title=The Round Mounds Project | publisher=University of Reading | work=Radiocarbon dates from 10 castle mounds – results of year 1 | date=7 October 2016 |  access-date=6 January 2019}}</ref> The castle was a high-status residence and an administrative centre it contributed to the growth of the town.{{sfn|Rowe|2007|p=132}}{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=6}}<ref name="Liddiard2005p111">{{Harvnb|Liddiard|2005|pp=111–112}}.</ref><ref name="Williamson 2010 219">{{Harvnb|Williamson|2010|p=219}}.</ref>
In 1227, [[Richard of Cornwall]], was given the castle,<ref name=Brown1989p52>{{Harvnb|Brown|1989|p=52}}.</ref><ref name=Pettifer1995p105>{{Harvnb|Pettifer|1995|p=105}}</ref>{{refn|One of the wealthiest men in Europe, [[Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall]], was elected King of Germany, or [[Holy Roman Emperor]], in 1256.|group = "Notes"}} redeveloped it as a palatial residence and the centre for the administration of the [[Earldom of Cornwall]]. In 1317, the castle was given to Edward II's queen, [[Isabella of France]].{{sfn|Remfry|1998}}
[[File:Berkhamsted Castle Jan 2007.jpg|thumb|alt=photo of ruins of Berkhamsted castle|Berkhamsted castle ruuins]]

[[Edward III]] gave the castle to his son, [[Edward, the Black Prince]] under whom Berkhamsted become a centre of [[English longbow]] archery,<ref name="CBCT">{{cite web | url=https://www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk/histories/1346-the-battle-of-crecy/ | title=1346: The Battle of Crécy How Berkhamsted's Bowmen decided the Hundred Years' War | work=Berkhamsted Castle Trust 2021 | access-date=18 September 2021}}</ref> making the longbow a decisive factor in the English victory at the [[Battle of Crécy]].  In 1400, [[Henry IV of England|Henry IV]] lived in the castle after he deposed Richard, and  during this time, [[Geoffrey Chaucer]] – later famous for writing ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'' – oversaw renovation work on the castle in his role as Clerk of the Works at Berkhamsted. [[Henry V of England|Henry V]] and [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] owned the castle and in 1469, [[Edward IV]] gave the castle to his mother, [[Cecily Neville, Duchess of York]] who had a significant social and financial impact on the town and was the last person to live in the castle.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Berkhamsted Castle {{!}} Cecily, Duchess of York|url=https://www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk/biographies/cecily-duchess-of-york/|access-date=19 September 2021|website=www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk}}</ref>{{sfn|Remfry|1998}}

In 1833, the castle was the first building in the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] to receive statutory protection. The castle ruins are managed by the ''Berkhamsted Castle Trust'', in partnership with [[English Heritage]], for the [[Duchy of Cornwall]], and are open to the public.{{sfn|Remfry|1998}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://duchyofcornwall.org/ancient-monuments.html|title=Ancient Monuments|publisher=Duchy of Cornwall |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
From the 12th to the 15th centuries the town continued to develop separately on the old Akeman Street  {{convert|0.4|miles|km|1}} to the south of the castle and to the west of St Peter's Church.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=10}}<ref>{{cite report| last=Maher | first=Shane | url=http://www.pre-construct.com/Publications/report-downloads/HHST12-exc-summary.pdf | title=300 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire| publisher=Construct Archaeology Ltd | date=January 2014}}</ref> In 1156, [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] officially recognised Berkhamsted as a town in a [[royal charter]], which confirmed the conditions enjoyed under [[Edward the Confessor]], and also decreed that no market could be set up within {{convert|7|miles|km|0}} of the town.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=6}}[[File:Tomb of Henry of Berkhamsted. St. Peter's, Berkhamsted- geograph.org.uk - 780334.jpg|thumb|Tomb of Henry of Berkhamsted (who served under Edward the Black Prince at the battles of [[Battle of Crécy|Crécy]] and [[Battle of Poitiers (1356)|Poitiers]]) and his Lady]]
The town became a trading centre on an important trade route in the 12th and 13th centuries, and received more royal charters. In 1216, [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] relieved the men and merchants of the town from all tolls and taxes everywhere in England,{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988}} and the growing [[wool trade]] brought prosperity to Berkhamsted from the 12th century until the early [[Tudor period]].{{sfn|Slater|Goose|2008|pp=240–241}}{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=9}} 
In 1217, Henry III recognised Berkhamsted's market by royal charter.{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/list-index-soc/markets-fairs-gazetteer-to-1516/hertfordshire|title=Hertfordshire|publisher=British History Online|work=Gazetteer of Markets and Fairs in England and Wales To 1516 Hertfordshire|access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref>{{refn|The market had been in existence since at least 1086. It was originally held on a Sunday, but by this charter it was changed to Monday, as the rector of the new St Peter's Church objected to the noise. The market is now held on a Saturday.|group = "Notes"}} In the mid–13th century, the wealthy banker Abraham of Berkhamsted, financier to the Earl of Cornwall, lived in the town; this was unusual for a small town in a [[History of the Jews in England#Persecution and expulsion|time of heightened persecution of Jews]].{{sfn|Hillaby|Hillaby|2013|pp=50-52}}

At this time, larger houses were built on the south side of the high street including [[173, High Street, Berkhamsted|173&nbsp;High Street]], the oldest known extant [[jettied]] building in England). In 1307 Berkhamsted was a [[List of towns and cities in England by historical population#Late Medieval Period|large town by English medieval standards]] with an estimated population of 2,000 to 2,500.{{sfn|Slater|Goose|2008|p=56}}  In the 14th century, Berkhamsted (recorded as "Berchamstede") was considered to be one of the "best" market towns in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|title=Berkhamsted Conservation Area Character Appraisal & Management Proposals|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063326/http://web.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamsted-conservationareaconsultationreport.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In 1440, there is a reference to lime kilns.<ref name=page1908 />

The town benefited when [[Edmund, 2nd Earl of Cornwall]], founded [[Ashridge Priory]] in 1283, {{convert|2|miles|km|0|spell=on}} away and within the castle's park. At the foundation of the abbey, the Earl donated a phial claimed to contain Christ's blood. [[Pilgrim]]s from all over Europe passed through the town to see the holy relic. The abbey grew quite wealthy as a result.  In the 15th century, the town was reaffirmed as a borough by a royal charter granted by Edward IV (1442–1483), which decreed that no other market town was to be set up within {{convert|11|miles|km|0}}. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the town was a [[Medieval English wool trade|wool trading]] centre, with a busy local market. The oldest-known extant [[Jettying|jettied]] timber-framed building in Great Britain, built between 1277 and 1297, survives as a shop on the town's high street.<ref name="EH173"/><ref name="BBC173"/>

[[File:Berkhamsted Place 1832.jpg|thumb|Berkhamsted Place 1832]]
In 1495 after the castle was abandoned, the town went into decline losing its borough status in the second half of the 17th century. 
Around 1583, a new market house was erected west of St Peter's Church at the end of Middle Row (alternatively named Le Shopperowe or Graball Row). The market house was destroyed in a fire in 1854. In 1612, Berkhamsted Place was bought by [[Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales]] for £4,000. Henry died later that year, and bequeathed the house to his brother Charles (later [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/ark:/99166/w6pz5hv0|title=Cunningham, David, −1659| publisher=Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) | access-date=20 October 2014}}</ref>  In 1618, [[James I of England|James I]] reaffirmed Berkhamsted's borough status with a charter. Following surveys in 1607 and 1612 the Duchy of Cornwall enclosed {{convert|300|acres|0|abbr=on}} from the Common (now known as Coldharbour farm) despite local opposition led by Rev Thomas Newman. 
Born in Berkhamsted, Colonel [[Daniel Axtell]] (1622&nbsp;– 19 October 1660),  played an important part in the [[English Civil War]] and participated as in [[Pride's Purge]] of the [[Long Parliament]] (December 1648), arguably the only military ''coup d'état'' in English history. During Cromwell's Protectorate, he appropriated Berkhamsted Place. Shortly after the [[English Restoration|Restoration of the monarchy]]  Axtell was [[hanged, drawn and quartered]] as a [[regicide]].<ref name="oxforddnb.com">{{ Cite ODNB | last=Thomson | first=Alan | title=Axtell, Daniel (bap. 1622, d. 1660) | doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/928 | year=2004 }}</ref> After the Restoration, the town lost its charter granted by James I and its borough status. The population of the town in 1640 and in the 1690s was estimated at 1075 and 767, respectively.{{sfn|Slater|Goose|2008|loc=Table 5.3}} The town was a centre of religious nonconformity from the 17th century: over a quarter of the town were [[English Dissenters|Dissenters]] in the second half of the century.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=102}}

===Modern era===

With the coming of the [[Industrial Age]], Berkhamsted became a gateway through the Chilterns, between the markets of London and the industrial [[The Midlands|Midlands]] and the town's population to expand again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WQ1CAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA282|title=The Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge|volume=4: Bassantin&nbsp;— Bloemaart|author=Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge|publisher=Knight|date= 1835|access-date=10 December 2014}}</ref> In 1868 middle-class villas began to appear south of the High Street.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=23}}{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=68}}{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=60}} In 1887, John Bartholomew's ''Gazetteer of the British Isles'' recorded the population at 4,485.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/31|title=Berkhamsted Hertfordshire|publisher=University of Portsmouth|work=A Vision of Britain through Time|access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref>{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=23}}

In the mid-18th century [[Milling (machining)|wood milling]] and [[woodturning]] were the town's most prominent industries,{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=24}} 
with brush making as an offshoot of the timber industry.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=24}} The canal trade stimulated the economy of the town,{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=24}} and Berkhamsted became a centre for the construction of the barges needed for the canal trades.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=22,25}} A [[shipyard|boatyard]] for building canal barges and other boats was one of three important boatyards in Hertfordshire.  This site, next to the canal, is the location of the [[#Sites of interest|Berkhamsted Canadian totem pole]]. The construction of the canal had helped to drain the marshy areas along the valley of the River Bulbourne and the area was developed into [[watercress]] beds.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=25}}  [[William Cooper (chemical manufacturer)|William Cooper]] was a [[Veterinarian|vetinary surgeon]] who arrived in Berkhamsted in the early 1840s and experimented in treatments for [[Psoroptes|scab]] in sheep. He formulated an innovative arsenic and sulphur [[sheep dip]].{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=24}} Henry Lane's [[nurseryman]] business, founded in 1777, became one of the largest employers in the town in the 19th century. Wood's Ironworks was set up in 1826 by James Wood.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=25}}

Utilities in the 19th century included a [[Gasworks]] installed to provide street lighting in 1849 and later closed in 1959.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=26}} The Great Berkhamsted Waterworks Company was set up in 1864 on the High Street and mains drainage was first supplied in 1898–99, when effective sewerage was installed.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=26}}

[[File:Berkhamsted Castle - Ruins of the external walls, keeper's house, castle motte in background.jpg|thumb|left|alt=photo of the soup kitchen in the castle grounds|The 19th century soup kitchen built inside Berkhamsted Castle]]In 1725 "An Account of Several Workhouses" records a parish [[workhouse]] in Berkhamsted, and a parliamentary report of 1777 refers to a parish workhouse.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=27}}  The workhouse system was ended in 1930, and control was given to local council with the workhouse finally closing in 1935.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=27}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Berkhampstead/ |title=The Workhouse - Berkhampstead/Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref> In 1841, the Countess of Bridgewater built a [[soup kitchen#Emergence of the modern soup kitchen|soup kitchen]] for the local poor within the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle. The soup kitchen was used by an estimated 15 per cent of the population of Berkhamsted (about 500 people) during the winter months, until at least 1897.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://dougsarchaeology.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/space-the-final-archaeological-frontier/ | title=Berkhamsted Castle and the Countess of Bridgewater's soup house: magic kingdoms and heterotopias in Hertfordshire| author= Carstairs Phillip|date= 11 April 2016| access-date =29 August 2016}}</ref>

In 1866 the ''Battle of Berkhamsted Common'' played an important part in the national preservation of common land.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/documents/map-of-bobc-walk.pdf | title=The Battle of Berkhamsted 150th Anniversary Walk | publisher=[[National Trust]] | access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref> In an action similar to that of many other large estate holders, Lord Brownlow of Ashridge House, attempted to [[enclosure|enclose]] Berkhamsted [[Common land|Common]] by erecting {{convert|5|ft|m|1|adj=on}} steel fences in order to claim the land as part of his family's estate. In response to the enclosure action and in defence the historic right of the public to use the ancient common land, on the night of 6 March, in what became known nationally as the Battle of Berkhamsted Common, men from London's East End to dismantle the fences.{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988}}<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.hertfordshirelife.co.uk/home/herts_history_the_battle_of_berkhamsted_1_4455536 | title=Herts History: The Battle of Berkhamsted | publisher=Hertfordshire Life | date=14 March 2016 | access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/whats-on/the-battle-of-berkhamsted-common | title=The Battle of Berkhamsted Common | publisher=National Trust | access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref><ref name='NatTrust'>{{cite web|title=Marian Alford|url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house/features/lady-marian-alford-1817-1888|publisher=[[National Trust]]|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref> The decision of [[John Romilly, 1st Baron Romilly|Lord Justice Romilly]] in the ensuing court case, along with the [[Metropolitan Commons Act 1866]], helped to ensure the protection of open spaces nationally threatened with enclosure. In 1926 the common was acquired by the National Trust.<ref name="commons">{{cite news|title=Mr. Shaw-Lefevre on the Preservation of Commons|newspaper=The Times|date=11 December 1886|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ashbrook|first=Kate|url=http://commons.ncl.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Kate-Ashbrook.pdf|title=Modern commons: a protected open space?|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410010041/http://contestedcommons.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Kate-Ashbrook.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/more-news/exhibition-and-commemorative-walk-marks-anniversary-of-battle-to-save-berkhamsted-common-1-7006636 | title=Exhibition and commemorative walk marks anniversary of battle to save Berkhamsted Common | publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd. | work=Hemel Gazette | date=12 October 2015 | access-date=14 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313202936/http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/more-news/exhibition-and-commemorative-walk-marks-anniversary-of-battle-to-save-berkhamsted-common-1-7006636 | archive-date=13 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1909 Sunnyside and later in 1935 Northchurch were added to Berkhamsted Urban District. Shortly after 1918 much of the extensive estate belonging to Berkhamsted Hall, at the east end of the High Street, was sold; many acres west of Swing Gate Lane were developed with council housing. More council housing was built at Gossoms End. Development on the north side of the valley was limited until the sale of the Ashridge estate in the 1930s, after which housing appeared at each end of Bridgewater Road.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=32}} In the second half of the 20th century, many of the old industrial firms in Berkhamsted closed, while the numbers of commuters increased.<ref>{{cite book|author=Berkhamsted Local History & Museum Society|title=Berkhamsted Through Time|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O1yIAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT18|date=2013-03-15|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-2686-4|pages=18–}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Berkhamsted from high.jpg|thumb|right|Berkhamsted and Northchurch from the air, looking south across the valley|alt=aerial picture of the town surrounded by green fields.]]
Berkhamsted is situated within the [[Chiltern Hills]], part of a system of [[chalk downland]]s throughout eastern and southern England, believed to have formed between 84 and 100 million years ago in the [[Cretaceous Period]] when the area was a [[Chalk Group|chalk]]-depositing marine environment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Catt|first=John|publisher=Hertfordshire Geological Society|url=http://www.hertsgeolsoc.ology.org.uk/IntroToHertsGeology.htm|title=Geology on your Doorstep|access-date=28 December 2014|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228052055/http://www.hertsgeolsoc.ology.org.uk/IntroToHertsGeology.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The town is located in a narrow northwest to southeast valley falling from {{convert|180|m|ft|order=flip}} above sea level to {{convert|105|m|ft|order=flip}}. The valley is at the southernmost limit of the [[Last glacial period|Pleistocene glaciation]] ice erosion throughout the Chiltern scarp, giving it a smooth rounded appearance, with [[alluvial]] soils in the valley bottom and chalk, clay and flint on the valley sides.<ref name="Area 117">{{cite book|year=2004 |title=Landscape Character Assessment for Dacorum |publisher=Dacorum Borough Council |pages=93–96 |chapter-url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/landscapecharassess_f22_area117upperbulbournevalley.pdf?sfvrsn=0|chapter=Area 117 Upper Bulbourne Valley}}</ref><ref name="bbcdoom">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-496000-207000/page/7|title=Domesday Reloaded 1986: Farming in Berkhamsted |publisher=BBC |access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> In the early [[Mesolithic]] period (Middle Stone Age, mid to late 8th millennium BCE), the local upland was mostly [[pine]] woodland and the low area of central Berkhamsted probably a grass-[[sedge]] fen. In the 6th Millennium BCE the dense deciduous forest became well established. By the Mid to late 3rd millennium BCE during the [[Neolithic]] period (the New Stone Age) human activity can be seen in wood clearances; the woodland being then dominated by [[lime tree]]s, with [[alder tree]]s growing on the [[flood plain]]. The [[River Bulbourne]], a [[chalk stream]], runs through the valley for {{convert|7|miles|km|0}} in a southeast direction, starting at [[Dudswell, Hertfordshire|Dudswell]] and the adjoining village of [[Northchurch]] and running through Berkhamsted, [[Bourne End, Hertfordshire|Bourne End]] and [[Boxmoor]], where it merges with the [[River Gade]] at Two Waters in [[Apsley, Hertfordshire|Apsley]], near Hemel Hempstead. It was fast-moving and full, and prone to frequent localised flooding.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=7}} The river created a marsh environment in the centre of the valley.{{sfn|Hastie|1996|p=8}}{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=10}}  The river powered the watermills (recorded in 1086) and fed the three [[moat]]s of the large [[House of Normandy|Norman]] castle, that stands close to the centre of the town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opendomesday.org/place/SP9907/berkhamsted/|title=Berkhamsted|publisher=Open Domesday Book|quote=Water mills were the main source of power}}</ref>
[[File:Map of Berkhamsted 2014.png|thumb|right|2014 Map of Berkhamsted and Northchurch.|alt=Map of the town]]

The countryside surrounding the town includes parts of the [[Green Belt]] and the Chilterns [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] (ANOB). The Urban Nature Conservation Study (UNCS) recognises the town's hinterland as a biodiversity resource. The hills gently rise to an undulating and open plateau, which has a mix of arable farmland, common land and mixed [[Quercus|oak]], [[Fraxinus|ash]] and [[beech]] woodland. On the northeast side of town are the Berkhamsted and Northchurch [[commons]], the largest in the Chilterns at {{convert|1055|acre}}, and forming a large arc running from Northchurch, through [[Frithsden]] and down to [[Potten End]]. Ownership of Berkhamsted Common is divided between the [[National Trust]] and Berkhamsted Golf Club. Beyond the common is the {{convert|5000|acre|adj=on}} historic wooded parkland of [[Ashridge]]; once part of [[Berkhamsted Castle]]'s hunting park, it is now managed by the National Trust. Ashridge is part of the Chilterns [[Beech]]wood [[Special Area of Conservation]] (SAC), a nationally important nature conservation area, and is also designated as a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]]. Agriculture is more dominant to the south of the town; close to the Buckinghamshire border there are two former large country estates, [[Ashlyns Hall|Ashlyns]] and [[Rossway]]. The ancient woodland at Dickshills is also located here.<ref name="SPSTB">{{cite book|title=Emerging Core Strategy 2009 |chapter=Spatial Strategy for the town of Berkhamsted |year=2009 |publisher=Dacorum Borough Council |chapter-url=http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/spar-11.17.11-corestrategy-berkhamsted-finalversion-june09.pdf?Status=Master&sfvrsn=0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/694/137/berkhamsted-and-northchurch-common.html#sthash.NiLpsSMp.dpuf|title=Berkhamsted and Northchurch Common|publisher=Chilterns Conservation Board|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>{{sfn|Hastie|1996|p=10-11}}

The centre of Berkhamsted is typical of a medieval market town with its long, straight High Street (aligned on the Akeman Street) forming the east–west axis, from which extend medieval [[burgage plots]] to the north and south.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=9}}<ref name="web.dacorum.gov.uk"/> The town centre slowly developed over the years and contains a wide variety of properties that date from the 13th century onwards.The canal intersects the river at numerous points, taking most of its water supply and helping to drain the valley. The townscape was shaped by the Bulbourne valley, which rises {{convert|300|ft|m|abbr=off}} on either side at its narrowest pointy.<ref name="SPSTB"/>{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=7}}

===Neighbouring settlements===
Along the Bulbourne valley  towards London, are the village of [[Bourne End, Hertfordshire|Bourne End]] and the large [[New towns in the United Kingdom|new town]] of Hemel Hempstead. To the south south-east is the large village of [[Bovingdon]] and south from Berkhamsted, along the [[Chiltern Hills]] into [[Buckinghamshire]] is the hamlet of [[Ashley Green]] and the [[market town]] of [[Chesham]]. Further southwest is the village of [[Great Missenden]] and to the west is the small market town of [[Wendover]].<ref name=osexp1>Ordnance Survey (2015). ''OS Explorer Map 181 – Chiltern Hills North – Aylesbury, Berkhamsted & Chesham''. {{ISBN|9780319243749}}.</ref>

Northwestwards are the village of [[Northchurch]], and the hamlets of [[Dudswell, Hertfordshire|Dudswell]] and [[Cow Roast]],  [[Wigginton, Hertfordshire|Wigginton]] and the small market towns of [[Tring]] and [[Aylesbury]], the [[county town]] of Buckinghamshire. Following the Chiltern Hills northwards, to the north-northwest is the village of [[Aldbury]]; situated to the north of Berkhamsted are the villages of [[Ringshall, Berkhamsted|Ringshall]] and [[Little Gaddesden]]; located to the north-east of the town are the villages and hamlets of [[Potten End]], [[Frithsden]] and [[Great Gaddesden]].<ref name=osexp1/>

===Climate===
Like most of the United Kingdom, Berkhamsted has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfb'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/UK-Climate_More-for-Teachers.pdf|title=UK Climate |page=2|publisher=Royal Meteorological Society|access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Berkhamsted
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 6
|Feb high C = 7
|Mar high C = 10
|Apr high C = 12
|May high C = 16
|Jun high C = 19
|Jul high C = 21
|Aug high C = 22
|Sep high C = 18
|Oct high C = 14
|Nov high C = 9
|Dec high C = 6
|year high C = 13
|Jan low C = 3
|Feb low C = 3
|Mar low C = 4
|Apr low C = 5
|May low C = 8
|Jun low C = 10
|Jul low C = 12
|Aug low C = 13
|Sep low C = 11
|Oct low C = 8
|Nov low C = 5
|Dec low C = 3
|year low C = 7
|Jan precipitation mm = 69.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 59.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 46.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 70.1
|May precipitation mm = 58.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 58.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 46.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 68.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 51.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 84.3
|Nov precipitation mm = 93.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 80.9
|year precipitation mm = 788.0
|source 1 =<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/records/Berkhamsted,England,United-Kingdom/we-city-51.76,-.56?q=berkhamsted-england&form=PRWLAS&iso=GB |title=Weather: Averages for Berkhamsted |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}
Near-real-time weather information can be retrieved from Berkhamsted Weather Station page on the [[Met Office]] Weather Observation website.<ref>{{cite web |title=Observation Site: Berkhamsted Weather Station |url=http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=195933 |work=Wow Weather Observations |publisher=Met Office |access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref> [[File:Berkhamsted TH Sign.jpg|thumb|The town's coat of arms, an [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|Escutcheon]] or shield with a castle of three towers each domed Azure flying from the two outer towers a banner Argent charged with a cross Gules all within a bordure Sable bezanty. The border is derived from the arms of the Duchy of Cornwall, as Berkhamsted Castle was part of that estate from the beginning under Richard Earl of Cornwall.<ref>{{cite web |title=East of England Region |url=http://civicheraldry.co.uk/east_of_england.html |publisher=Civic Heraldry of England |access-date=9 March 2021}}</ref>]]

==Governance==
Berkhamsted is within [[Harpenden and Berkhamsted (UK Parliament constituency)|Harpenden and Berkhamsted]], a constituency newly created by the [[2023 review of Westminster constituencies]]. In the first election to be held in the constituency [[Victoria Collins]] won the seat for the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] party in the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 General Election]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Harpenden and Berkhamsted – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001268 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Berkhamsted town council, represents the local people to two higher tiers of local government, [[Dacorum|Dacorum Borough Council]] and [[Hertfordshire County Council]]. The modern district of Dacorum based in [[Hemel Hempstead]] was formed in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]; the [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]]'s main population centres include Hemel Hempstead, [[Tring]] and the western part of [[Kings Langley]]. Berkhamsted accounts for just over 12 per cent of the district's population of 153,300 in 2017.<ref name="hertslis2.org">{{cite web |title=Data Sources |url=http://atlas.hertslis.org/profiles/profile?profileId=79#iasProfileSection4 |publisher=Community Information and Intelligence Unit, Hertfordshire County Council |access-date=29 January 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Berkhamsted has three local government [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|Wards]]—East, West and Castle. The result of the 2023 town council elections was [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]]11; Green 2; Labour 2.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 May 2023 |title=Town & Parish Elections - Thursday, 4th May, 2023 |url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/council-democracy/elections-and-voting/elections-2023 |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Dacorum Borough Council and town and parish council elections - 4 May |publisher=dacorum.gov.uk}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
Berkhamsted was an [[ancient borough]], but lost this status in the 17th century.{{sfn|Page|1908|pp=171-179}} The town was then governed by its parish [[vestry]] until the 19th century. In 1835 Berkhamsted was made the centre of a [[poor law union]] which covered the town and the surrounding parts of western Hertfordshire, as well as parts of Buckinghamshire. Under the [[Public Health Acts|Public Health Act 1872]], [[sanitary districts]] were created, and the [[Board of guardians|boards of guardians]] of poor law unions were made responsible for public health and local government for any part of their district not included in an urban authority. As Berkhamsted had no [[Local board of health|local board]] or other urban authority, it was therefore included in the rural sanitary district.<ref name=workhouse>{{cite web |url=http://www.workhouses.org.uk/Berkhampstead/ |title=Berkhampstead Poor Law Union |last=Higginbotham |first=Peter |website=The Workhouse |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref>

In 1893 the town petitioned for the creation of a local board covering both Berkhamsted and Northchurch parishes, which would make it independent of the rural sanitary authority. An inquiry was held by a government inspector in December 1893, but he advised against the scheme. Hertfordshire County Council therefore did not pursue it, although did comment that an urban authority covering just the town itself rather than the two whole parishes might be more favourably received.<ref>Berkhampstead: A Local Board proposed, ''Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times'', 16 September 1893, page 7</ref><ref>Hertfordshire County Council: Suggested Local Board for Berkhampstead and Northchurch, ''Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times'', 27 January 1894, page 7</ref>

Under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], rural sanitary districts became rural districts on 28 December 1894, and so the town became part of the [[Berkhamsted Rural District|Berkhampstead Rural District]]. Parish councils were also established under the act, to take over the civil functions of the old vestries. The new parish councils came into being on 31 December 1894 if an election had been needed to choose the first parish councillors, as was the case at Berkhamsted.<ref>Great Berkhampstead: The Parish Council, ''Bucks Herald'' (Aylesbury), 5 January 1895, page 7</ref>

===Berkhamsted Urban District (1898{{ndash}}1974)===
{{Infobox historic subdivision
|Name=Berkhamsted
|AltName=Great Berkhampstead (1898{{ndash}}1937)
|subdivision_type=[[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|Urban District]]
|HQ=Berkhamsted
<!-- Statuses -->
|Start=15 April 1898
|End=31 March 1974
|Replace=[[Dacorum]]
<!-- Memberships -->
| membership_title1     = County Council
| membership1           = [[Hertfordshire County Council|Hertfordshire]]
|Image=[[File:Civic Centre, 161 High Street, Berkhamsted.jpg|280px]]<br>[[Berkhamsted Civic Centre]], 161 High Street, Berkhamsted.
|PopulationFirst=6,371
|PopulationLast=15,255<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10001675 |title=Berkhamsted Urban District, ''A Vision of Britain through Time'' |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>          
   |PopulationFirstYear=1901  
   |PopulationLastYear=1971
}}

In 1898 the parish was split into a "Great Berkhampstead Urban" parish, which became an urban district, and a "Great Berkhampstead Rural" parish, which remained in the Berkhampstead Rural District.<ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Local Government Board |date=1898 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |page=289 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20swAQAAMAAJ&q=Berkhampstead+urban |access-date=14 September 2021 |quote=Local Government Board Order 37,522: The County of Hertford (Berkhampstead Saint Peter) Confirmation Order, 1898, coming into operation 15 April 1898}}</ref><ref>Great Berkhampstead: Urban District Council, ''Bucks Herald'' (Aylesbury), 23 April 1898, page 8</ref> The Great Berkhampstead Rural parish ceded land to the urban district in 1935 and in 1937 was split between [[Nettleden with Potten End]], Northchurch, and [[Great Gaddesden]].<ref>Ministry of Health Order No. 80108: The County of Hertford Review Order, 1935</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Report of the Ministry of Health |date=1937 |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |page=276 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MH8XAQAAIAAJ&q=County%20of%20Hertford%20Berkhamstead%20Rural%20Parishes%20Order |access-date=14 September 2021 |quote=County of Hertford (Berkhampstead Rural District Parishes) Order, 1936}}</ref> Older municipal buildings were demolished in 1938 and new [[Berkhamsted Civic Centre]] was built on the site.<ref>Berkhamsted Newsletter, ''Bucks Examiner'' (Chesham), 2 October 1936, page 3</ref><ref>The Civic Centre opened, ''Bucks Examiner'' (Chesham), 21 October 1938, page 7</ref>

Until 1937 the official name of the council's area was the "Great Berkhampstead Urban District". A change of name to "Berkhamsted Urban District" came into effect on 19 July 1937. A few months later the neighbouring Berkhampstead Rural District became Berkhamsted Rural District.<ref>Berkhamsted Newsletter, ''Bucks Examiner'' (Chesham), 16 April 1937, page 7</ref><ref name=change/> Under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], Berkhamsted Urban District was abolished to become part of the [[non-metropolitan district]] of Dacorum in 1974. Berkhamsted Town Council was created as a [[successor parish]] to the former urban district council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/civic-centre.html  |title=Berkhamsted Civic Centre|publisher=Berhamsted Town Council|access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref>

==Demography==
===Homes===
The Hertfordshire Local Information System (HertsLIS) website (based on data from the [[Office for National Statistics]] and other UK government departments) has the following data regarding the 7,363 households in Berkhamsted in 2011. 72 per cent of homes were owner occupied (34 per cent owned outright and 38 per cent owned with a mortgage) compared to 63 per cent for England. 26.5 per cent of homes were rented (13 per cent each for social rented and private rented) compared to a national figure of 34.5 per cent.<ref name = "HertsLIS"/>

In 2021 according to [[Rightmove]] the average cost of a home in Berkhamsted was £696,949. The majority of sales in the town were detached properties, with an average selling value of £1,076,244. The average terraced dwelling price was £563,291 and the average semi-detached properties went for £657,436. Overall, in 2021 property house prices in Berkhamsted were four per cent up on the previous year and five per cent up on the 2018 peak of £661,336.<ref name = "HM2021">{{cite web | url=https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/property/hertfordshire-property-berkhamsted-proving-popular-6048819 | title=Hertfordshire property: Why Berkhamsted is proving so popular with potential homeowners | work=[[Hertfordshire Mercury]] | date=16 October 2021 | access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref>

===Employment and economic wellbeing===
In mid-2016, the [[Office for National Statistics]] estimated the working age population of Berkhamsted (males and females aged 16 to 64) as 11,400, i.e. 62 per cent of the town's population. People from Berkhamsted were employed as follows: 17.5 per cent worked as managers, directors and senior officials; 27.5 per cent professional occupations and 8.5 per cent in associate professional and technical occupations; 10 per cent were employed in administrative and secretarial occupations; 7 per cent in skilled trades; 6 per cent Caring, leisure and other service occupations; 5 per cent were in sales and customer service occupations; 3 per cent were in process, plant and machine operatives; and 5.5 per cent worked in elementary occupations.<ref name = "HertsLIS"/>

According to HertsLIS in 2011, 76 per cent of Berkhamsted residents between the ages of 16 and 74 were employed (of which: full-time, 43 per cent; part-time, 13 per cent; self-employed, 14 per cent); and 24 per cent economically inactive (retired, 13 per cent; long-term sick/disabled, 2 per cent).<ref name = "HertsLIS">{{cite web | url=http://www.hertslis.org/ |title=Data Sources|publisher=Community Information and Intelligence Unit, Hertfordshire County Council|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>

===Diversity===
From the 2021 [[Office for National Statistics]] (ONS) census for the Berkhansted built-up area, the population was recorded at 21,245 with a near equal number of males and females. Ethnicity: White individuals make up approximately 93–94% of the population, with Asian (~2–2.5%), Black (~0.6–0.7%), and mixed/multiple (~2–3%) being modest minorities. Of residents who stated a religious affiliation, 46.5% were Christian; other faiths included 0.52% Buddhist, 0.49% Jewish, 0.64% per cent Muslim, 0.68% Hindu, 0.17% Sikh, other religions 0.47%. The remaining 9,179 residents reported no religion.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Nick |title=CENSUS 2021: Data reveals ethnic and religious makeup of Berkhamsted |url=https://www.mynewsmag.co.uk/census-2021-data-reveals-ethnic-and-religious-makeup-of-berkhamsted/ |website=My Local News |publisher=MyNewsMags |access-date=12 October 2025 |date=25 January 2023}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Bowles-watford-tring-1782.jpg|thumb|left|A [[strip map]] showing Berkhamsted on the route of the Sparrows Herne turnpike. From Bowles's Post Chaise Companion of 1782]]

===Road===
Originally proposed in the 1930s, a bypass was opened in 1993 to relive town traffic and the main [[A41 road]] now passes south-west of Berkhamsted.  Local bus routes passing through Berkhamsted town centre provide links to Aylesbury, Hemel Hempstead, Luton, Watford and [[Whipsnade Zoo]].<ref name="inbtalinkbus">{{cite web |title=Routes, timetables & maps |url=https://www.intalink.org.uk/services |website=Intalink |publisher=Intalink |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref> Since 1999 buses are managed by [[Hertfordshire County Council]]'s ''[[Intalink]]'' transport service.<ref name="intalink">{{cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.intalink.org.uk/about-Intalink |website=Intalink |publisher=Intalink |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref>

===Railway===

{{main|Berkhamsted railway station}}

[[File:Berkhamsted Railway Station.jpg|thumb|Berkhamsted's current railway station, next to the Grand Union Canal.]]

Berkhamsted railway station is located just beside [[Berkhamsted Castle]], overlooking the [[Grand Junction Canal]]. The station is {{convert|28|mi|km}} north west of [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] on the [[West Coast Main Line]]. As of 2025 all services at Berkhamsted are operated by [[West Midlands Trains#London Northwestern Railway|London Northwestern Railway]] and run between London Euston and {{stnlnk|Milton Keynes Central}}, with additional trains running to {{stnlnk|Northampton}} and {{stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}} and many other destinations.{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988|pages=85–88}}

==Economy and commerce==
In 1986, farming, service and light industry were characteristic local employers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-496000-207000/page/1|title=Berkhamsted|access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref> In 2015, schools and retail (predominantly [[Waitrose]]) were the town's largest employers; these are both situated in Berkhamsted Castle ward.<ref name="dacorum.gov.uk">{{cite report |url=http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/strategic-planning/inf06---tring-berkhamsted-and-northchurch-utp.pdf?sfvrsn=0|title=Tring, Northchurch and Berkhamsted Urban Transport Plan&nbsp;– Volume 1|date=May 2013 |publisher=Prepared by AECOM for Hertfordshire County Council|access-date=21 September 2014}}</ref>  Of the employed residents living in both Berkhamsted and Tring, 35 per cent live and work in the towns, while 65 per cent commute to workplaces away from the towns, particularly to London.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/best-commuter-hotspots-make-your-money-go-further-2308777.html|title=Best commuter hotspots: Make your money go further|access-date=19 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/dec/12/lets-move-to-berkhamsted|title=Let's move to Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire|access-date=19 September 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2009-12-12|last1=Dyckhoff|first1=Tom}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertymarket/10579791/Londons-super-suburbs-the-most-valuable-property-markets.html|title=London's super suburbs: the most valuable property markets|access-date=19 September 2014|date=2014-01-22|last1=McGhie|first1=Caroline}}</ref> Of the 7,100 people who work in Berkhamsted, 58 per cent commute to Berkhamsted to work. In 2011, 9.5 per cent of Berkhamsted residents (aged 16 to 74 in employment) worked mainly at or from home; 52 per cent drove to work by car (2.5 per cent as a passenger in a car); 22 per cent travelled by public transport; and 13 per cent cycled or walked to work. In 2011, an average commute to work was 21 kilometres.<ref name = "HertsLIS"/>

In 2014 Berkhamsted's High Street had 100 per cent retail occupancy of independent traders and a "[[coffee culture|cafe culture]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.berkhamstedtoday.co.uk/news/more-news/berkhamsted-high-street-could-be-named-uk-s-best-road-1-6410401|title=Berkhamsted High Street could be named UK's best road|work=Berkhamsted and Tring Gazette |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Coming top in the south-east region in Sunday Times 2018 Best Places to Live, Berkhamsted was described as "affluent and attractive; its medieval centre is filled with chic shops and great places to eat", with 76 per cent of shops being independent stores. Berkhamsted has an active [[Transition Towns (network)|Transition Town]] community.<ref name= "ST18">{{cite web | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/berkhamsted-hertfordshire-best-places-to-live-jjq3p295f | title=Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire — best places to live in the UK 2018 | publisher=Times Newspapers Limited | date=18 March 2018 | access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Guard">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2009/dec/12/lets-move-to-berkhamsted|title=Let's move to Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=12 December 2009|access-date=30 September 2014}}</ref>

==Education==

[[File:Ashlyns School 26.jpg|thumb|alt=photo of the entrance to Ashlyns school|The [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] [[portico]] of [[Ashlyns School]] (1935) bearing the [[Foundling Hospital]] coat of arms]]
[[State-funded schools (England)|State schools]] in Berkhamsted provide education in a two-tier system. Elementary education is offered by the six primary schools in the town: Bridgewater, Greenway Primary & Nursery School, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery, Thomas Coram Church of England Primary School,  and Westfield Primary School and Nursery.<ref name="BTC">{{cite web |title=Education |url=https://www.berkhamsted-tc.gov.uk/our-community/schools/ |website=Berkhamsted Town Council |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

[[Ashlyns School]], is a [[Foundation school]] and [[sixth form]] with 1,200 [[Mixed-sex education|mixed]] pupils aged 11 to 19&nbsp;years.<ref name="ofsted">{{cite web |title=School report Inspection of Ashlyns School |url=https://www.ashlyns.herts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Ashlyns-School-Ofsted-Report-September-2023.pdf |website=Ofsted |publisher=The Office for Standards in Education |access-date=30 August 2025 |date=2023}}</ref> The school was begun in the 18th century, when a philanthropist, [[Thomas Coram]], was granted a [[royal charter]] "for the Maintenance and Education of Exposed and Deserted Children" in 1739. The school is located in a Grade II [[listed building]] and is an example of [[Georgian architecture#Post-Georgian developments|neo-Georgian architecture]].Since 2003, Ashlyns School building and its chapel have been a Grade II [[listed building]].<ref name="NHLE">{{National Heritage List for England|num=1390739|desc=Ashlyns School & Chapel|access-date=25 July 2017|mode=cs2}}</ref>

[[File:Berkhamsted School Old Hall.JPG|thumb|alt=photo of Berkhamsted School Old Hall|The Grade 1 Listed Berkhamsted School Old Hall, described by [[William Camden]] as "the only structure in Berkhamsted worth a second glance".{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=120}}]]

Primary and secondary education is also provided by two independent schools: the [[Berkhamsted School]], a [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private]] fee-paying school for around 1,850 pupils aged 3 to 18,. The present school was formed in 1997 by the amalgamation of the original Berkhamsted School, founded in 1541 by [[John Incent]], [[Dean of St Paul's|Dean of St Paul's Cathedral]], Berkhamsted School for Girls, established in 1888,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berkhamsted.com/about-us/our-heritage/ |title=Our Heritage |publisher=Berkhamsted School |access-date=2022-05-11}}</ref> and Berkhamsted Preparatory School.{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen helps celebrate Berkhamsted School's 475th birthday|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/06/queen-helps-celebrate-berkhamsted-schools-475th-birthday/|access-date=27 September 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 May 2016|format=video}}</ref>

[[Egerton Rothesay School]] is a small independent fee-paying school for around 150 Special Educational Need (SEN) pupils between the ages of 5 and 19.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=114}} The school is the result of the merging of two Berkhamsted independent primary schools, Rothesay, founded in 1922 and situated in Charles Street, and Egerton School, founded in 1950.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/berkhamstedconservationareaappendices.pdf?sfvrsn=b04d0d9f_4|title=Berkhamsted Conservation Area: Character Appraisal & Management Proposals |page=267|publisher=Dacorum Borough Council|year=2015|access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Spire of Chapel, Ashridge Management College, Hertfordshire - geograph.org.uk - 897514.jpg|thumb|alt=photo of the Spire of Chapel, Ashridge Management College|Spire of chapel at the Grade 1 Ashridge House, showing the Natural Trust Ashridge Estate behind]] [[Hult Ashridge]] (formerly Ashridge Business School/Ashridge Executive Education) is located in [[Ashridge#Ashridge House|Ashridge House]], the former stately home of the Duke of Bridgewater.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/postgraduate/business-schools/ashridge-business-school-1206241.html|title=Governance|date= 12 December 2010|website=www.independent.co.uk|publisher=[[The Independent]]|access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref> In 2015, Ashridge merged with [[Hult International Business School]], to become Hult Ashridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ashridge.org.uk/about-us/governance/|title=Governance|website=Ashridge.org.uk|access-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402171716/https://ashridge.org.uk/about-us/governance/|archive-date=2 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Places of worship==
[[File:St Peter’s Church Berkhamsted 16 13 30 870000.jpeg|thumb|The Anglican Parish Church of St Peter's, Berkhamsted, established in the 13th Century]]
The oldest extant church locally is St Mary's in the adjacent village of Northchurch. Between 1087 and 1104, there is reference to a chaplain called Godfrey and to a chapel of St James with parochial status within St Mary's Berkhamsted's parish. A chapel situated close to St Johns, located close to St John's Lane, was the base for a small community of monks, the Brotherhood of St John the Baptist, in the 11th and 12th centuries.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=7-8}}<ref name=Sherwood2008p227>{{Harvnb|Sherwood|2008|p=227}}.</ref>{{refn|For many centuries, the Berkhamsted town fair was held on the [[feast day]] of [[James, son of Zebedee|St James the Greater]] rather than on [[Saint Peter|Petertide]], which suggests that an older parish church before St Peter's was built in the 13th century.{{sfn|Page|1908|pp=[https://archive.org/stream/victoriahis02page#page/245/mode/1up 245-250]}}|group = "Notes"}}

During [[John of England|King John]]'s reign, [[Geoffrey Fitz Peter, 1st Earl of Essex|Geoffrey Fitz Peter]], was instrumental in the foundation the [[Church of St Peter, Great Berkhamsted|parish church of St Peter]], and in 1222, Robert de Tuardo, was registered as the first known rector.{{sfn|Cobb|1883|p = [https://archive.org/stream/twolecturesonhis00cobbrich#page/114/mode/2up 114 Appendix IV]}} Because of the church's proximity to the castle, the reigning monarch was [[patronage|patron]] of Berkhamsted rectors for several centuries. In 1648, St Peter's Church was requisitioned during the [[English Civil War]] by [[Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron|General Fairfax]] as a [[military prison]] to hold soldiers captured from the [[siege of Colchester]].{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988|p=102}} The poet [[William Cowper]] was christened in St Peter's,{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=102}} where his father John Cowper was rector.<ref>{{cite book|title=Alumni Oxonienses 1500–1714|volume=Abannan-Kyte|year=1891|pages=338–365|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117054|access-date=16 December 2010}}</ref>

The parish church of St Peter on the High Street, is one of the largest churches in Hertfordshire.<ref name="heritage-gateway">{{cite web|title=Hertfordshire HER & St Albans UAD: St Peter's Church, Berkhamsted|url=http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MHT9092&resourceID=1008|work=Heritage Gateway|access-date=25 November 2010}}</ref>  Two other [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches in the town – 'St Michael and All Angels' (Sunnyside) (original building 1886) and 'All Saints' Church & St Martha's' (built in 1906) on Rectory Lane.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/7549/|title=All Saints' Church, Berkhamsted|publisher=A Church Near You|access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>

Several non-conformist [[Religious denomination|denominations]] are represented in Berkhamsted. The [[Baptists|Baptist]] community has a chapel on the High Street.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=102}} A [[Quakers|Quaker]] meeting house was opened in 1818 on the High Street.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=104}} The [[Congregationalism|Congregationlists]] worship together with a [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] congregation at St Andrew's United Reformed Church on the corner of Castle Street and Chapel Street.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=104}} The [[Methodism|Methodists]] share All Saints' Church with Anglicans.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=105}} The [[Evangelist (Latter Day Saints)]] began life has part of the [[Plymouth Brethren]], their Hope Hall opened in 1875, which was renamed Kings Road Evangelical Church in 1969.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=106}} A [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] church, the Church of the Sacred Heart, a modern 1980 church building is located on Park Street.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=107}}

==Culture and leisure==
===Literary connections===
[[Geoffrey Chaucer]] was [[clerk of works]] at Berkhamsted Castle from 1389 and based his Doctor of Phisick in ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]'' on John of Gaddesden, who lived in nearby Little Gaddesden. [[William Cowper]] was born in Berkhamsted Rectory in 1731. Although he moved away when still a boy, there are frequent references to the town in his poems and letters. In the [[Victorian era]], Cowper became a cult figure and Berkhamsted was a place of pilgrimage for his devotees. [[Maria Edgeworth]], a prolific Anglo-Irish writer of adults' and children's literature who was a significant figure in the evolution of the novel in Europe, lived in Berkhamsted as a child in the 18th century.<ref name="npsGossoms"/> Between 1904 and 1907, the [[Llewelyn Davies boys]] were the inspiration for the author and playwright [[J. M. Barrie]]'s [[Peter Pan (character)|Peter Pan]].{{sfn|Birkin|2003|p=46}} A little later, novelist [[Graham Greene]] was born in Berkhamsted and educated at Berkhamsted School, alongside literary contemporaries [[Claud Cockburn]], [[Peter Quennell]], [[Humphrey Trevelyan]] and [[Cecil Parrott]].<ref name="guide"/>

===Cinema===
[[File:Berkhamsted Rex proscenium2.jpg|thumb|alt=photo of the interior of the Rex cinema|Interior of the Rex cinema, Berkhamsted]]
{{main|The Rex, Berkhamsted}}
The Rex cinema, built in 1937, is recognised by [[English Heritage]] as a fine example of a 1930s [[art deco]] [[Movie theater|cinema]].<ref>{{NHLE |desc=Rex Cinema |num=1078110 |date=26 February 1988 |access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref> The cinema was designed by architect [[David Evelyn Nye]] for the Shipman and King circuit.{{sfn|Eyles|Skone|2002|pp=19-24}} Closed in 1988, the cinema was extensively restored in 2004 and has become a thriving independent local cinema.<ref>{{cite news |title=Silver screens |url=https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21604229-why-some-small-outfits-are-thriving-silver-screens |newspaper=The Economist |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=20 January 2015}}</ref> The cinema features luxurious seating and two licensed bars. Prior to the cinema's construction, an [[Elizabethan era|Elizabethan]] mansion, [[Egerton House, Berkhamsted|Egerton House]], had occupied the site for 350&nbsp;years.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|page=63}}

===British Film Institute National Archive at King's Hill===

{{main|BFI National Archive}}

Rarely open to the public, "The J. Paul Getty, Jr. Conservation Centre" is the location of much of the film restoration work of the [[BFI National Archive]] of the [[British Film Institute]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Heritage Open Days 2015: 10 of the best secret sites |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/11857759/Heritage-Open-Days-2015-10-of-the-best-secret-sites.html |work=The Telegraph |date=11 September 2015 |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> With over 275,000&nbsp;feature, non-fiction and short films (dating from 1894) and 210,000&nbsp;television programmes, it is one of the largest film archives in the world. Two of the archive's collections were added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ([[UNESCO]]) UK Memory of the World Register, in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=In pictures: BFI National Archive recognised by Unesco |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-13539340 |publisher=BBC News |date=26 May 2011 |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

===Sport and outdoor amenties===
The town has a large National Trust Common and woodland on its long north-east edge.<ref>{{cite web |title=The best autumn forest walks around the UK |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/best-uk-autumn-forest-walks/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=30 September 2020 |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Best National Trust parklands to visit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/18/national-trust-parks-gardens-open-coronavirus-social-distancing-walking |work=The Guardian |date=18 March 2020 |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Great Outdoors Ashridge Forest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2005/08/30/great_outdoors_ashridge_feature.shtml |publisher=BBC Beds Herts and Bucks |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref> Running east–west through the centre of the town, along the town's length the [[Grand Union Canal]]  provides an open space with recreational opportunities, with the small River Bulbourne it creates a [[wildlife corridor]] through the town.<ref name="CanalDDC">{{cite web | url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/leisure-culture/shopping-and-town-centres/berkhamsted/the-grand-union-canal | title=The Grand Union Canal | work=Dacorum District Council | access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/penis-shaped-map-berkhamsted-goes-viral-and-accidentally-boosts-family-friendly-canal-and-river-trust-s-campaign-9669820.html | title=Penis-shaped map of Berkhamsted goes viral and accidentally boosts family-friendly Canal and River Trust's campaign | work=The Independent | date=14 August 2014 | access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/uploads/the-chiltern-canal-corridor.pdf | title=The Chiltern Canal Corridor | access-date=4 November 2021}}</ref>

Other public green spaces include the castle and Butts Meadow. In 2016 The Friends of St Peter's Berkhamsted received £907,000 in a grant from the [[National Lottery Heritage Fund]] and the [[Big Lottery Fund]] from the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)]] to repurpose the Rectory Lane Cemetery and for restored heritage features and create a new green community space in the town.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.berkhamstedtoday.co.uk/news/boost-to-cemetery-transformation-project-in-berkhamsted-after-appointments-made-1-8255508 | title=Boost to cemetery transformation project in Berkhamsted after appointments made | publisher=2017 Johnston Publishing Ltd. | work=Berkhamsted and Tring Gazette | date=21 November 2017 | access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-35256605 | title=Lottery cash for Charlton and Milburn boyhood football park | date=14 January 2016 | access-date=27 November 2017}}</ref>
The Berkhamsted Bowmen are the oldest [[archery]] club in England.<ref name="guide">{{cite web|url=http://www.berkhamstedtowncouncil.gov.uk/uploads/e-history-etc-040204.pdf|title=Berkhamsted Official Guide 2004|access-date=15 December 2014}}</ref>  Founded in 1875 Berkhamsted [[Cricket]] Club competes in the Herts League and in 2025 celebrated its 150th anniversary. The club is based at the Berkhamsted Community Cricket and Sports Club, Kitcheners Field, Castle Hill.<ref name="BCC">{{cite web |title=Berkhamsted Cricket Club celebrates its 150th anniversary |url=https://www.berkhamstedcc.com/default.aspx |website=Berkhamsted Cricket Club |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

The nine Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Hockey Club teams are based just outside the town at [[Cow Roast]], playing their matches on their astroturf pitch<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHHHC Clubhouse & Astro |url=https://www.berkohockeyclub.com/a/berkhamsted-and-hemel-hempstead-hockey-club-playing-locations-58826.html?page=1 |access-date=2022-11-23 |website=www.berkohockeyclub.com}}</ref> at the club grounds in [[Cow Roast]]. There are two [[Bowls]] clubs, Berkhamsted and Kitcheners.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dacorumsports.net/club-directory/|title=Club Directory|publisher=Dacorum Sports Network|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref>

[[Berkhamsted F.C.|Berkhamsted Football Club]], play in the [[Southern Football League]] Division One Central,<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2021 |title=Berkhamsted Strengthen Squad |url=https://southern-football-league.co.uk/News/130044/Berkhamsted-Strengthen-Squad |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref> part of the 8th Level in the English League. The team was formed in 2009 after the demise of [[Berkhamsted Town F.C.]] which had been established in 1895. Founded in 1996, Berkhamsted Raiders CFC football club was recognised as the FA Charter Standard Community Club of the Year at the [[The Football Association|English Football Association]] Community Awards in 2014 and awarded the [[UEFA]] Grassroots Silver Award in 2015 for their work across the local community. The club, in 2023, had more than 1,300 affiliated players, including 250 girls in 94 youth teams plus Senior, Veterans, Ladies, Walking Football and Inclusive Football sections. In 2022, the Club was awarded the Herts FA Grassroots Club of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkhamstedtoday.co.uk/news/berkhamsted-raiders-named-as-europe-s-football-pioneers-1-7013384|title=Berkhamsted Raiders named as Europe's football pioneers|publisher=Berkhamsted & Tring Gazette|date=15 October 2015|access-date=15 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/sport/fa-community-awards/11022291/fa-community-awards-winners-2014.html| title=Sir Geoff Hurst hails the heroes of grass-roots football|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 August 2014|access-date=18 October 2015}}</ref>

A sports centre near Douglas Gardens, comprises a large indoor multi-purpose sports hall, [[Squash (sport)|squash]] courts, swimming pool, and outdoor all-weather pitch. This facility is complemented by dual use of the leisure facilities of Ashlyns School and Berkhamsted Collegiate School. Berkhamsted and the surrounding area has a variety of road [[cycling]] and [[mountain biking]] routes, including traffic-free off-road routes in Ashridge Estate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cyclechilterns.co.uk/offroad-adventures-around-berkhamsted/|title=Off-road adventures around Berkhamsted|access-date=5 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082915/http://cyclechilterns.co.uk/offroad-adventures-around-berkhamsted/|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
Berkhamsted is within the [[BBC London]] and [[ITV London]] region. Television signals are received from the [[Crystal Palace transmitting station|Crystal Palace]] TV transmitter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Crystal_Palace|title=Full Freeview on the Crystal Palace (Greater London, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref> and the local relay transmitter situated in [[Hemel Hempstead]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Hemel_Hempstead|title=Full Freeview on the Hemel Hempstead (Hertfordshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Three Counties Radio]] on 103.8 FM serving Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, [[Heart Hertfordshire]] on 106.9 FM broadcasting across Hertfordshire, [[Greatest Hits Radio Bucks, Beds and Herts]] (formerly Mix 96.2) on 92.2 FM and community based stations, Radio Dacorum<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.radiodacorum.org.uk/ |title=Radio Dacorum  |access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref> and Tring Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.radio-uk.co.uk/tring-radio|title=Tring Radio|publisher=Radio Dacorum|access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>

The town is served by the regional newspaper, ''[[Hemel Hempstead Gazette & Express]]'' which covers the towns of Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring, and the surrounding area in Hertfordshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-eang/hemel-hempstead-gazette/|title=Hemel Hempstead Gazette|date=23 April 2014|website=British papers|access-date=30 August 2025}}</ref>

==Historic buildings==

{{see also|Grade II* listed buildings in Dacorum|173, High Street, Berkhamsted|Dean Incent's House}}
[[File:173HighStreet Berko.jpg|thumb|150px|left|alt=photo of a medieval shop|173 High Street, possibly the oldest jettied timber building in the United Kingdom]] The majority of Berkhamsted's 85 listed or scheduled historical sites are half-timbered houses on the High Street with some on Castle Street and other locations. Castle Street began life as the medieval lane from the town's High Street to the drawbridge of the royal castle. At the other end of the lane was the parish church of St Peters. Berkhamsted school was founded In the 16th century, while in the 17th century there were seven public houses among the street's trade outlets.{{sfn|Hastie|1996|p=206}}Four are scheduled, one is Grade I, seven are Grade II*, the remaining 75 are Grade II.<ref name="ListedB">{{cite web |title=Listed Buildings in Berkhamsted, Dacorum, Hertfordshire |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/berkhamsted-dacorum-hertfordshire |website=BTITISH LISTED BUILDINGS |publisher=British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://list.historicengland.org.uk/results.aspx?index=26 |title=List entry – The List – Historic England |publisher=Historic England 2015 | work=Search Results = berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, Dacorum |access-date=10 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/docs/default-source/planning-development/areabasedpolicies_f05_conservationareaberkhamsted.pdf?sfvrsn=0 |title=CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISALS AND POLICY STATEMENTS |publisher=Dacorum Borough Council |date=May 2004 |access-date=3 August 2015}}</ref> To the northwest of Berkhamsted stand the ruins of Marlin's Chapel, a 13th-century chapel next to a medieval fortified farm. The walls and moat surrounding the modern farm still remain and are reputed to be haunted.{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988}} [[173, High Street, Berkhamsted|173&nbsp;High Street]], is a Grade II* listed building, with a Victorian façade hiding what is considered to be the oldest extant [[Jettying|jettied]] timber-framed building in Great Britain, dated by [[dendrochronology]] to between 1277 and 1297.<ref name="ListedB"/><ref name="EH173"/><ref name="BBC173"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Maev |title=Victorian facade hides the oldest shop in England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/feb/27/shopping.maevkennedy |work=The Guardian |date=27 February 2003 |access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>  The shop was restored on a £250,000&nbsp;grant from English Heritage, and provides an insight into how the High Street would have looked in medieval times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov-news.org/gov/uk/news/oldest_shop_in_england_uncovered_at_berkhamsted/77991.html|title=Oldest Shop In England Uncovered At Berkhamsted|access-date=19 September 2014|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140920011151/http://www.gov-news.org/gov/uk/news/oldest_shop_in_england_uncovered_at_berkhamsted/77991.html|archive-date=20 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[Dean Incent's House]] at 129&nbsp;High Street is a 15th-century [[Timber framing|timber-framed]] house which is reputed to be the birthplace of [[John Incent]] (c. 1480 – 1545), a [[Dean (Christianity)|dean]] in the [[Church of England]] who held office at [[Old St Paul's Cathedral|St Paul's Cathedral]] from 1540 to 1545.<ref name="ListedB"/><ref name=englishheritage>{{NHLE|num=1356570|desc=129 High Street, Berkhamsted}}</ref> 125&nbsp;High Street, a house and shop, is a timber-framed building. This was an unusually large house, its size and central position suggesting a manor house or other high status house, possibly supporting the castle.<ref name="ListedB"/>{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|pp=10-11}} The Swan, a pub at 139&nbsp;High Street, contains the remains of a medieval open hall.<ref name="ListedB"/><ref name="343-351" /> The Court House, next to the church, dates from the 16th century, and is believed to lie on the site of the medieval court where the Portmote{{refn|Also referred to as portmanmoot or portmoot. The name had Anglo-Saxon origins; the court had aspects both of court and of council meeting.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Goddard |first1=Richard |last2=Phipps |first2=Teresa |title=Town Courts and Urban Society in Late Medieval England, 1250-1500 |date=2019 |publisher=The Boydell Press |location=Woodbrige |isbn=978-1783274253 |pages=156–175}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/tungxdbt/docs/a_dictionary_of_medieval_terms_and_phrases__d.s.br|title=A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases|year=2004|access-date=27 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Alsford |first=Stephen |url=http://users.trytel.com/~tristan/towns/glossary.html|title=Medieval English Towns&nbsp;— Glossary|access-date=27 December 2014}}</ref>|group = "Notes"}} or Borough Court was held.<ref name="343-351" />
[[File:Berkhamsted, Dean Incent's House - geograph.org.uk - 590548CROPPED.jpg|150px|thumb|alt=photo of a Tudor half timbered house|Dean Incent's House]]
Sayer's Almshouses, were the legacy of John Sayer, chief cook to Charles II, at 235–241&nbsp;High Street, comprise a single-storey row of [[almshouses]] built in 1684.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=15}} The Bourne School, at 222&nbsp;High Street, was the legacy by Thomas Bourne (1656–1729) (Master of the Company of Framework Knitters) to build a [[charity school]] in Berkhamsted for 20&nbsp;boys and 10&nbsp;girls. The front was rebuilt in 1854 in Jacobean-style red brick.{{sfn|Thompson|Bryant|2005|p=20}} The site now occupied by the Pennyfarthing Hotel dates from the 16th century, having been a monastic building used as accommodation for religious guests passing through Berkhamsted or going to the monastery at Ashridge. [[Berkhamsted Town Hall]], a Victorian gothic market house and town hall, was built in 1859.<ref name="ListedB"/>{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=66}}  When Berkhamsted became part of the new [[Dacorum Borough Council]] (based in Hemel Hempstead) plans to demolish the building were stopped in the 1970s and 1980s by a citizens' campaign, through the High Court.{{sfn|Hastie|1999|p=66}}

[[File:Berko00505.jpg|thumb|150px|left|alt=photo of a Canadian totem pole|The totem pole at Berkhamsted]]

The Berkhamsted [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|Canadian]] [[totem pole]] stands next to the canal, near Castle Street Bridge. In the early 1960s, Roger Alsford, a great-grandson of the founder of the timber company, James Alsford (1841–1912), went to work at the [[Tahsis, British Columbia|Tahsis]] lumber mill on [[Vancouver Island]]. During a strike, he was rescued from starvation by a local [[Kwakwaka'wakw|Kwakiutl]] community. Alsford's brother, William John Alsford, visited the island, and in gratitude for the local people's hospitality, commissioned a totem pole from the Canadian [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] artist [[Henry Hunt (artist)|Henry Hunt]].<ref name=Tearle1998p21>{{harvnb|Tearle|1998|p=21}}.</ref> The [[Thuja plicata|western red cedar]] pole, {{convert|30|ft|0}} high and {{convert|3|ft|0}} in diameter, was carved by Hunt at [[Thunderbird Park (Victoria, British Columbia)|Thunderbird Park]], a centre for First Nation monuments. The completed pole was shipped to Britain and erected at Alsford's Wharf in 1968. It is one of only a handful of totem poles in the United Kingdom, others being on display at the [[British Museum]] and [[Horniman Museum]] in London, [[Windsor Great Park]], [[Bushy Park]] and the [[Yorkshire Sculpture Park]].<ref>{{harvnb|Tearle|1998|p=3}}.</ref> The carvings on the totem pole represent four figures from First Nations legend: at the top sits [[Raven in mythology|Raven]], the trickster and creator deity; he sits on the head of [[Solar deity|Sunman]], who has outstretched arms representing the rays of the sun and wears a ''copper'' (a type of ceremonial shield); Sunman stands on the fearsome witch-spirit [[Dzunukwa]]; at the base is the two-headed warrior sea serpent, [[Sisiutl]], who has up-stretched wings.<ref>{{harvnb|Tearle|1998|p=7}}.</ref>

[[Ashridge]] is a [[country estate]] and [[stately home]] with a large [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] [[English country house|country house]] built between 1808 and 1814. The surrounding country estate is a {{convert|5000|acre}} park managed by the [[National Trust]] and has been used as a film location for ''[[Sleepy Hollow (film)|Sleepy Hollow]]''  and ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/stwp_site_details.asp?siteID=414|title=Special trees and woods&nbsp;— Frithsden Beeches|publisher=Chilterns Conservation Board|access-date=16 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613145351/http://www.chilternsaonb.org/caring/stwp_site_details.asp?siteID=414|archive-date=13 June 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A monument to [[Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater]], a tall Doric column with urn (a Grade II* listed building), stands in a grove within Ashridge.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1078046|desc=The Bridgewater Monument}}</ref>

==Associations with the town==
{{main|List of people from Berkhamsted}}

===Literature and media===

Poet and [[hymn]] writer [[William Cowper]] (1731–1800), one of the most popular poets of his time, was born and raised in Berkhamsted. Cowper changed the direction of eighteenth century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside.  two stained-glass windows in St Peter's Church are dedicated to memory of Cowper.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interactive Guide |url=https://www.stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk/heritage/guide/ |website=stpetersberkhamsted.org.uk |publisher=St Peter's Great Berkhamsted |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>{{sfn|Birtchnell|1988|p=24}}

Novelist [[Graham Greene]] (1904–1991), whose father was headmaster of [[Berkhamsted School]], which Greene attended. One of Greene's novels, ''[[The Human Factor (novel)|The Human Factor]]'', is set there and mentions several places in the town. In his autobiography, Greene wrote that he has been 'moulded in a special way through Berkhamsted'. Greene's life and works are celebrated annually with a festival organised by the Graham Greene Birthplace Trust.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grahamgreenebt.org/|title=Graham Greene Birthplace Trust|accessdate=1 October 2014}}</ref>

[[Hugh Greene|Sir Hugh Carleton Greene]] {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|KCMG|OBE}} (1910–1987) was born and educated in Berkhamsted. Green was a British television executive and journalist and brother of Graham Greene. He was [[Director-General of the BBC|director-general of the BBC]] from 1960 to 1969.<ref name=dnb>{{cite ODNB |id=40206 |title=Greene, Sir Hugh Carleton (1910–1987), journalist and broadcaster |access-date=22 March 2019 |last=Shaw |first=Colin |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-40206}}</ref>

[[Esther Rantzen|Dame Esther Louise Rantzen]] {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}} (b.1940) is an English journalist and television presenter who presented the [[BBC]] television series ''[[That's Life!]]'' for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gloger |first1=Dana |title=Esther Rantzen: Older and wiser |url=https://www.thejc.com/culture/interviews/esther-rantzen-older-and-wiser-1.4096 |access-date=18 February 2021 |work=The JC |date=25 July 2008}}</ref> Ranzen became [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 2014 for services to children and older people through Childline and The Silver Line.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=61092 |date=31 December 2014 |page=N8 |supp=y}}</ref>

[[Nick Owen]] {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}}  (b.1947) is an English [[television presenter]] and [[News presenter]], known for presenting the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] breakfast programme ''[[Good Morning Britain (1983 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain]], [[Good Morning with Anne and Nick]], [[ITV Sport]],'' and the [[BBC]]'s regional news show ''[[Midlands Today]]'' since 1997.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sandiford |first1=Josh |title=BBC presenter Nick Owen receives MBE |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn42xmkky7yo |website=BBC |access-date=4 September 2025 |date=30 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TV presenter Nick Owen honoured|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/6056972.stm|access-date=24 December 2013|newspaper=BBC|date=16 October 2006}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/westmidsregionaltv/nick_owen.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106005349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/westmidsregionaltv/nick_owen.shtml |archive-date=6 January 2009 |publisher=BBC Press Office |title=Biographies: Nick Owen – Presenter, BBC Midlands Today |date=May 2006 |access-date=17 October 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Twin towns===
Through Dacorum Berkhamsted is [[Sister city|twinned]] with: [[Beaune]], Burgundy, France and [[Neu-Isenburg]], Hesse, Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/leisure-arts-culture/shopping-and-town-centres/twin-towns|title=Twin towns|publisher=Dacorum Borough Council|access-date=13 September 2025}}</ref>

==Arms==
The coat of arms was granted to the Borough of Berkamsted St Peter by [[William Camden]] on 25 September 1618, transferred to the Berkamsted Town Council by [[Charles III of the United Kingdom|Charles III]] on 13 May 2024.and are described as: escutcheon Or a castle of three domed towers Azure the portcullis raised Or flying from each outer tower a banner Argent charged with a cross Gules all within a bordure Sable charged with fifteen bezants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/newsletter/item/242-january-2025-newsletter-no-77 |title=January 2025 Newsletter (No. 77) |publisher=College of Arms |accessdate=23 January 2025}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group="Notes"|40em}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
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* {{cite book|last=Birtchnell|first=Percy|year=1988|title=Short History of Berkhamsted|publisher=Book Stack|place=Berkhamsted|isbn=978-187137200-7}}
::(see also Birtchnell, Percy (1975) ''Bygone Berkhamsted''. Luton: White Crescent Press {{ISBN|0-900804-13-0}})
* {{cite book|last=Brown|first=Reginald Allen|title=Castles from the Air|place=Cambridge, UK|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1989|isbn=978-052132932-3}}
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* {{cite book|last=Hastie|first=Scot|year=1999|title=Berkhamsted, an Illustrated History|publisher=Alpine Press|place=Kings Langley, UK|isbn=978-0-9528631-1-3}}
*{{ cite book | last=Healey| first=R. M. | year=1982 | title=Hertfordshire: A [[Shell Guides|Shell Guide]] | location=London | publisher=Faber & Faber | isbn=978-0-57111-801-4 }}
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*{{cite book|last=Mackenzie|first=James Dixon|title=Castles of England: Their Story and Structure|place=New York| publisher=Macmillan|year=1896|volume=1|oclc=12964492}}
*{{ cite book | last=Page | first=William | year=1905 | title=The Victorian History of the County of Buckingham | volume=1 | location=London | publisher=Constable | url=https://archive.org/details/victoriahistory01pageuoft/page/n6 }}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Page |editor-first=William|year=1908|title=The Victoria History of the County of Hertfordshire | volume=2|publisher=Constable|place=London |url=https://archive.org/stream/victoriahis02page#page/n11/mode/2up |oclc=59519149 }}
* {{cite book|last=Pettifer|first=Adrian|title=English Castles: a Guide by Counties|place=Woodbridge, UK|publisher=Boydell Press|year=1995|isbn=9780851156002}}
* {{cite book |last=Pratt |first=John H. |title=Chaucer and War |place=Lanham, UK |publisher=University Press of America |year=2000 |isbn=9780761815884 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/chaucerwar00prat }}
* {{cite book|title=The Army in Cromwellian England 1649&nbsp;– 1660|publisher=Oxford University Press|last=Reece | first=Henry |year=2013 | isbn=978-0-19-820063-5 }}
* {{cite book|last=Remfry|first=Paul|year=1998|title=Berkhamsted Castle|publisher=Dacorum Heritage Trust|isbn=978-0-9510944-1-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Rowe|first=Anne|contribution=The distribution of parks in Hertfordshire: Landscape, lordship and woodland | editor-last=Liddiard|editor-first=Robert|title=The Medieval Park: New Perspectives|place=Macclesfield, UK|publisher=Windgather Press|year=2007|isbn=978-1-9051-1916-5|pages=128–145}}
* {{cite book|last=Sanecki|first=K.A.|title=Ashridge – A Living History|year = 1996| publisher=Phillimore| location =Chichester, UK| isbn=978-1-86077-020-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Sherwood|first=Jennifer|contribution=Influences on the growth of medieval and early modern Berkhamsted|editor-last= Wheeler|editor-first=Michael|title=A County of Small Towns: the Development of Hertfordshire's Urban Landscape to 1800|place=Hatfield, UK|publisher=Hertfordshire Publications|year=2008|isbn=978-190531344-0|pages=224–248}}
*{{cite book|last1=Slater|first1=T.R.|last2=Goose|first2=Nigel|year=2008|title=A County of Small Towns: the Development of Hertfordshire's Urban Landscape to 1800|place=Hatfield, UK |publisher=University of Hertfordshire Press|isbn=978-190531344-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Tearle|first=John|title=The Berkhamsted Totem Pole|year=1998|publisher=Lillydown House|isbn=978-0952813118}}
*{{cite report|last1=Thompson|first1=Isobel|last2=Bryant |first2=Stewart|year=2005|title=Extensive Urban Surveys: Berkhamsted, Revision 2005|publisher=Historic Environment Unit, Hertfordshire County Council|url=http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-436-1/dissemination/pdf/berkhamstead.pdf}}<!-- front cover is http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-436-1/dissemination/pdf/berkhamstead_cover.pdf -->
* {{cite book|last=Whitelock|first=Dorothy|title=The Will of Æthelgifu|place=Oxford|publisher=Roxburghe Club, Oxford|year=1968| oclc=108189}}
* {{cite book|last=Williamson|first=Tom|title=The Origins of Hertfordshire|place=Hatfield, UK|publisher=Hertfordshire Publications|year=2010|isbn=978-190531395-2}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Berkhamsted}}
{{Commons category|Berkhamsted}}
{{NIE Poster|Great Berkhampstead}}
* [https://www.berkhamsted-tc.gov.uk/ Berkhamsted Town Council]
* [https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berkhamsted-castle/ Berkhamsted Castle]
* [http://www.dacorumheritage.org.uk/ Dacorum Heritage Trust]

{{Hertfordshire}}
{{Civil parishes of Hertfordshire}}

{{Authority control}}

{{good article}}

[[Category:Berkhamsted| ]]
[[Category:Dacorum]]
[[Category:Towns in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Market towns]]