A 155-foot tower built from reused brewery bricks and public footpaths and bridleways give Little Berkhampstead two distinct ways to explore: architectural history and outdoor activity. If you’re looking for a holiday rental for a stay in the village, these themes may help you decide where to go.
Stratton’s Tower: architectural history across two eras
In 1789, John Stratton had a Georgian viewing tower built, also known as Stratton’s Folly. Stratton’s Tower is a Grade II* listed building. The five-storey tower is 155 feet tall, and its ground floor has an octagonal plan. Today, it is a private residence. Most of the bricks used in its construction were reused from a 17th-century brewery on the same site. The building therefore brings together a late-18th-century tower and older building materials.
Other historic buildings add to this picture of the village’s past. The Old Manor House is a Grade II listed building dating from the mid to late 16th century. Little Berkhamstead House was built in 1732 for O. Lloyd, a Master of the Stationers’ Company. Around 1790, J. Bouchier had two pavilion wings added. Together, these dates mark different periods in the village’s architectural history.
St Andrew’s Church and local history
St Andrew’s Church is believed to have existed since Saxon or Norman times. The present building appears to have been rebuilt in 1857; parts of its fabric date from the 17th century or even earlier. The three bells also point to different periods: the oldest dates from before 1400, the second from around 1621 and the third from 1718. The church, its fabric and its bells offer different ways to explore the village’s history.
On a grassy area at the junction of Church Road, Robin’s Nest Hill and Little Berkhamsted Lane, Little Berkhampstead’s war memorial stands next to the church. It is Grade II listed. The village’s conservation area includes nine listed buildings. Little Berkhampstead is also associated with the story that William the Conqueror received the surrender of the City of London there after the Battle of Hastings. In the Domesday survey of 1086, Hardwin of Scales held the manor; it was assessed at five hides, around 600 acres.
Footpaths and practical directions
Hertfordshire Way Walk 15 runs from Newgate Street to Bayford via Essendon and Little Berkhampstead. The parish’s public rights of way also include footpaths and bridleways. On Walk 15, a footpath leads into a field directly in front of St Andrew’s Church. It’s sensible to check the path conditions before setting out, as they can change.
A practical tip for getting around the village: free parking is available at the village recreation ground. The route description and public paths appeal to different interests; the parking information is separate from both.
Village life and food
The Cricket and Community Pavilion can be hired outside its main use as a clubhouse for children’s parties and summer events. Hire for this purpose is limited to the event types mentioned. This is a different activity from visiting historic buildings or walking a stage of the route.
The Grade II listed pub The Five Horseshoes serves a Sunday roast with a meat or vegetarian option, gravy, vegetables and Yorkshire puddings. As the menu can change, it’s a good idea to check the current offering before visiting. This adds a specific dining option to a stay focused on architectural history and walking routes, without requiring a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden, Buntingford, Sawbridgeworth, London Colney, Hatfield, Knebworth, Saint Albans.
For the broader travel guide: Hertfordshire.
