Hemel Hempstead: Culture, Landscapes and Snow Sports

When visiting Hemel Hempstead, you can choose from a range of interests: historic buildings and a mosaic mural, waterside and landscape settings, and indoor options for snow sports, climbing and skateboarding. These differences can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Historic buildings and a mosaic

The Hemel Water Gardens are Grade II listed because of their particular historic significance. The Church of St Mary dates from around 1140 to 1180 and has a Latin-cross floor plan. It also has a crossing tower and a 13th-century spire. The floor plan and tower describe the building’s design in more detail than a date alone, giving you specific architectural features to look out for as you explore.

The Tile Mosaic Map offers a different historical connection. The mosaic mural was designed by Rowland Emett and painted by Phyllis Butler of Carter Tiles Ltd. It was installed in 1960 on the south façade of the multi-storey Marlowes car park in Hemel Hempstead. The town therefore brings together medieval architectural history and a 20th-century work as distinct cultural themes.

Water and landscapes outdoors

The Jellicoe Water Gardens surround the River Gade, which runs alongside Hemel Hempstead town centre. Here, the gardens and river form part of the same setting, while the River Gade’s course also connects the site with the town centre.

The Box Moor Trust estate includes water meadows, chalk downland, woodland, pasture, chalk streams, former clay pits and recreation areas. Its landscapes range from wet meadows and streams to downland, woodland and former clay pits. Most of the land is open to the public. Follow the notices on site, as access arrangements may vary in some areas.

Bunkers Park offers a different, clearly defined place for outdoor exercise: it covers 47.8 hectares and has footpaths suitable for walking and running. Its size and the intended use of its paths give you specific guidance if you would like to include a visit to the park in your plans.

Indoor activities and getting there

At The Snow Centre, the main slope is 160 metres long, and ski and snowboard lessons are available for adults and children aged three and over. XC has a 60 × 14-metre climbing wall and an indoor skatepark made of concrete and wood. The options differ by activity: The Snow Centre is for skiing and snowboarding, while XC is for climbing and skateboarding. Check the current operating conditions at both facilities before your trip, and also check lesson availability at The Snow Centre.

The stated road journey times to The Snow Centre are five minutes from Junction 8 of the M1 and ten minutes from Junction 20 of the M25. Treat these times as estimates and allow for changing traffic conditions when planning your journey.

If you are looking for a hotel in Hemel Hempstead, you can first decide whether culture, landscapes or indoor activities should shape your stay. Then compare the hotels’ specific details, particularly location, facilities and price, against your own plans. This way, your choice reflects what you would like to do in Hemel Hempstead rather than general assumptions about individual options.

Discover more destinations: Watford, Letchworth, Waltham Cross, Borehamwood, Wadesmill, Standon, Tring, Hertingfordbury

For the overview of the wider area: Hertfordshire.