Berkhamsted is a market town in with historic buildings in the High Street. The station is on a sharp bend making it a good place to watch fast trains tilting as they speed through (but keep away from the fast line platforms which are normally out of use). The Grand Union Canal passes through Berkhamsted and there are pleasant walks along the towpath in both directions. A genuine Canadian totem pole stands by the canal, it was a gift to a local timber yard owner.
Berkhamsted is in the Chilterns AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), a range of chalk hills north-west of London. The area is popular for walking with beautiful countryside, great views and picturesque villages.
www.chilternsaonb.org | www.visitchilterns.co.uk
www.chilternsociety.org.uk including free walks leaflets
Accommodation in Berkhamsted (with distance from station):
There are substantial remains of the strong and important motte-and-bailey castle dating from the
11th to 13th centuries. Surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks can be seen. Admission free.
Open Daily 1000-1800 (1600 in winter).
www.berkhamstedcastle.org.uk |
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Tring is a small market town in the Chilterns AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), a range of chalk hills north-west of London. The area is popular for walking with beautiful countryside including the National Trust's Ashridge Estate (see below), and picturesque villages such as nearby Aldbury (see below).
In the late 19th century Tring Park became the family home of the Rothschild family, the mansion itself is now a school for the performing arts but part of the estate is open to the public as Tring Park. Lionel Walter Rothschild was known to ride around the town in a carriage drawn by his zebras, Tring Natural History Museum was his private zoological museum.
Bus X5/501 from Berkhamsted High Street (¼ mile from station) to Tring High Street, 16 minutes journey. M-S X5 every 30 minutes, Sun 501 hourly. X5 operated by Arriva. 501 operated by Red Rose Travel. Buses also operate from Tring station which is 1¾ miles from the town centre.
Tring Natural History Museum is in the grounds of the former Rothschild family home of Tring Park.
It was given to the nation by the Rothschild family in 1937 and is now managed by the Natural History Museum, London.
The Museum contains an extensive collection of stuffed mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Café and picnic areas.
Exhibitions and events programme. Admission free.
Open TWThFSSu & BH 1000-1700.
www.nhm.ac.uk/tring
Bus see above.
This museum covers the history of Tring and its people from the earliest days to the recent past.
Open FS 1000-1600.
www.tringlocalhistorymuseum.org.uk
Bus see above.
Once part of a larger estate which included Tring Park Mansion, former home of the Rothschild family, Tring Park is now
managed by the Woodland Trust. It is a mixture of rare chalk grassland and mixed broadleaf woodland with great views from the higher ground.
Historic features include a summer house and obelisk. Admission free.
Open any reasonable time.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Bus see above, then ½ mile walk.
