Although Hemel Hempstead is a New Town, the first recorded mention of the town is in the Anglo-Saxon period. The Old Town saw planned development along the High Street in mediaeval times and the early 16th-century a borough charter was granted, with the right to hold a weekly market and yearly fair. After the Second World War Hemel Hempstead was chosen as one of the sites of the government’s new towns. The architect Geoffrey Jellicoe’s initial plans were rejected as too expensive and impractical, but the structure of Jellicoe’s town centre was largely retained. Starting in 1952, a new town centre was built at Marlowes, beside the Water Gardens diverted from the River Gade. This building phase was finished in 1962 and later in the decade West Herts College, a library, police station and cinema were added, with new housing and commercial developments added up to the present-day, as well as the Forum council offices. Hemel Hempstead in 50 Buildings explores the history of this town in Hertfordshire through a selection of its most interesting buildings and structures, showing the changes that have taken place over the years. The book will appeal to all those who live in Hemel Hempstead or who have an interest in the area.
