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Hemel Hemstead Leasing

Did You Know?

The town claims to have the first purpose built multi-storey car park in Britain. It was built into the side of a hill in the Marlowes shopping district way back in 1960.

Developed after the Second World War as a new town, Hemel Hempstead existed as a settlement since the 8th century and was granted its town charter by King Henry VIII in 1539.

In December 2005, a series of explosions and fires at Buncefield oil depot in Hemel Hempstead was regarded as the largest in peace-time Europe. There was millions of pounds of damage and many injuries but, thankfully, no one was killed.

Douglas Brimson is an author who is perhaps best known for writing the multi-award-winning film Green Street. He was born in Hemel Hempstead in 1959. The film is about football hooliganism in the UK.

Mark Ian Hoyle, commonly known by his Internet pseudonym LadBaby, is a British YouTuber from Nottinghamshire and is now based in Hemel Hempstead.

Hemel Hempstead (known locally as "Hemel") lies in a shallow chalkland valley at the confluence of the rivers Gade and Bulbourne. The main railway line from London Euston to the Midlands passes through Hemel Hempstead railway station to the west of the town, alongside the Grand Union Canal.

Hemel Hempstead was announced as candidate No 3. for a New Town in July 1946, in accordance with the government's "policy for the decentralisation of persons and industry from London". Initially there was much resistance and hostility to the plan from locals, especially when it was revealed that any development would be carried out not by the local council but by a newly appointed government body, the Hemel Hempstead Development Corporation.

Hemel Hempstead village has been here since at least the 8th century. The manor of Hemel Hempstead is recorded in the Domesday Book, which some towns now larger, such as Watford, are not. It grew to be a town of some local importance and was granted its town charter by King Henry VIII in 1539. The Old Town still remains and is the prettiest part of town.

In 1539, Ashridge Priory was dissolved and King Henry VIII granted Hemel Hempstead a royal charter to become a Bailiwick with the right to hold a Thursday market and a fair on Corpus Christi Day. The first Bailiff of Hemel Hempstead was William Stephyns (29 December 1539). The King and Queen, Anne Boleyn, are reputed to have stayed in the town at this time.