Discover Harpenden, Hertfordshire

Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harpenden_High_Street_3.jpg
Author: Tony Jones


Harpenden is a town in St Albans district, in Hertfordshire, England. The area around Harpenden has been inhabited since Roman times, as evidenced with Roman remains in the area. The land belonged to the Westminster Abbey granted by the last Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the Confessor, in 1060. The village of Harpenden was established when the abbey began to clear the forestland for farming and settlement.

To the south of Harpenden is a common land known as Nomansland Common, or simply No Man's Land. As its name suggests, this piece of land has been disputed over by the monastery of St Albans and Westminster Abbey. Part of the conflict in the Second Battle of St Albans was fought here in 1427.

In the Middle Ages, Harpenden had a cottage industry in strawmaking, carried out mainly by the womenfolk. The area was largely rural until 1880, when the farms made way for residential development.

Visiting Harpenden

Coming from London, take the A5 road heading north. It continues as the A5183 road into St Albans, after which continue north on the A1081 (Harpenden Road) until you arrive in Harpenden.

Places of Interest in Harpenden

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