Hemel Hempstead · outdoors
The New Town sits on the Gade, the canal and Boxmoor’s grazing land. You do not need to drive to Ashridge for a decent hour outside: though you will, eventually.
Water Gardens at lunch. Gadebridge after school. Boxmoor and the towpath at the weekend. The Nickey Line if you want a straight line out.
Mud on the Boxmoor Trust land is seasonal and sincere. The Magic Roundabout is not a walking route.
Mud, waymarks, a pint or a bus at the end, and whether the car park is a trap.
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Leighton Buzzard Road, Hemel Hempstead · Hemel Hempstead
Gadebridge is where the town holds Armed Forces Day, learns to ride a bike, and walks the dog into the water. Green Flag judged, civic by default, and the best free hour you can spend with children in central Hemel.
02
Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead · Hemel Hempstead
The Water Gardens are Hemel’s argument that New Towns could be beautiful. A canalised River Gade, listed status, a 2017 restoration. Lunchtime walk for The Forum; golden-hour photography for everyone else.
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Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead · Hemel Hempstead
The Boxmoor Trust keeps grazing animals and open land in a corridor most towns would have sold. Walk it from St John’s to the canal. It is why Boxmoor house prices are not Adeyfield house prices.
More from the directory: The Tea TreeNashmills Sandwich Bar & CafeThe Paper MillKassem’s Lounge
Sport
Two away wins, a home defeat, seven points from four. Hemel Hempstead Town are a National League South story this paper will keep, not a Premier League widget.
28 August 2026
Health
The practice has been telling patients for months that the rutted ground behind Gatecroft is Dacorum’s, not an official park. Ward members pledged CIL to rebuild it. The council newsroom has not yet posted a start notice.
28 August 2026