Berkhamsted offers several distinct starting points for a cultural stay: Berkhamsted Castle, St Peter's Church, a medieval shop on the High Street, the history of the canal and The Rex in an Art Deco setting. These themes can be explored independently. When choosing accommodation in Berkhamsted, it may therefore be important whether you are primarily interested in castle and architectural history, church architecture, the canal's former use or cinema culture. The different historical layers can help you choose a cultural focus for your stay.
Arrival and the castle grounds
Berkhamsted Castle is next to the rear entrance of Berkhamsted station, making it a clear point of reference when finding your way on arrival. Access arrangements at the station may change; check them before you travel. The castle was first built in the late 11th century as a wooden motte-and-bailey castle. Richard, Earl of Cornwall, enlarged the west tower to create a luxurious palace complex. This brings together an early form of construction and the deliberate expansion of a specific part of the castle. The entire site of Berkhamsted Castle is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, as amended. The protected area therefore covers the whole site, not just a single part of the building.
Church and medieval architectural history
St Peter's Church is the oldest surviving building in Berkhamsted town centre. The original cruciform building dates from the early 13th century. From the east end to the west door, the church measures 168 feet (51.2 m). These details offer two specific ways to understand the architecture: the form of the original building and the distance between two named points. The church can therefore be considered in terms of both its building history and its size.
Another example of Berkhamsted's medieval architectural history is the building at 173 High Street. It was built as a shop in the late 13th century. Dendrochronological analysis dated two timbers in the building to 1277–1297; dendrochronology is a dating method based on tree rings. The two details complement each other in different ways: describing it as a shop indicates its use at the time, while the date range applies to the timbers examined. Together, they offer a glimpse of a building whose history can be understood through both its original function and its materials.
Canal history and cultural highlights
Berkhamsted was once a busy inland port and a centre for boatbuilding. This historic role is part of the town's canal history. The towpath along the Grand Union Canal provides a tangible link to the landscape and is a short walk from the town centre.
The Rex offers a different cultural highlight. It is a traditional single-screen cinema in its original Art Deco setting. Alongside the historic buildings, it adds a perspective on cinema that is distinct from the castle grounds, the church and the medieval shop. If you choose Berkhamsted for a stay, these different areas of interest can help you decide what you want your trip to focus on.
Discover more destinations: Benington, Hertford, Wigginton, Hailey, Elstree, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Letchworth
For the broader travel overview: Hertfordshire.
