Holiday rentals in Harpenden

Bordered by a patchwork of fields and forest in the county of Hertfordshire, the town of Harpenden has been a settlement since before Roman times. Changed forever by the arrival of the railways in 1860, it has been a prosperous Home Counties town ever since, with a healthy selection of independent shops and restaurants. At the heart of Harpenden, a pretty village green is surrounded by heritage buildings and mature trees. There are many traditional English pubs in the town and the surrounding countryside.

Those local pubs here, festooned with decorative flower baskets, are known for their hearty dishes, enjoyed in sunny beer gardens in the summer and by cosy open fires in the colder months. Many parks and commons are spread through the town, such as Nomansland Common, where a famous battle was fought during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century and where an infamous highwaywoman is said to have pounced on her victims in the 18th century. Countryside rambles in and around Harpenden are popular with walkers, while cyclists come here to explore the Nickey Line footpath and cycle trail along a disused railway line.

Southeastern England has a mild climate with warm summers and cool winters, so Harpenden is a pleasant place to stay all year round. Although it can rain here any time of year, July is the hottest and driest month, and Harpenden holiday rentals are the most popular during peak summer.

The Harpenden Food and Drink Festival takes over the town in September, with food stalls and outdoor bars lining the high street along with live entertainment and a children’s play zone and funfair. There’s a similar, larger festival in St Albans. In the winter, Harpenden goes to town with its Christmas lights and a Christmas carnival on the last weekend in November. Get into the festive spirit at Santa’s Grotto and enjoy the funfair, entertainment, and a colourful parade.

Wheathampstead

This charming village 15 minutes’ drive from Harpenden is a popular spot for a scenic walk and a leisurely lunch. You can explore Devils Dyke, a prehistoric earthwork ditch said to be connected to Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain. The oldest parts of St Helen’s Church in Wheathampstead date from 1280, while the River Lea starts its journey to the mighty Thames nearby, babbling through Wheathampstead flanked by wildflower-strewn meadows.

Shaw’s Corner

This elegant Edwardian house and landscaped gardens in the nearby village of Ayot St Lawrence was the home of a world-famous playwright for nearly 50 years. As well as artefacts including his Academy Award and hat collection, the house contains many beautiful examples of Arts and Crafts furnishings and craftwork. The grounds include a heritage orchard, beehives, and towering foxgloves, and the author’s writing shed, which could be rotated to face the sun. Note that the house is closed in winter.

Verulamium Museum

On the outskirts of nearby St Albans, one of the biggest cities in Britain during the Roman era, this museum has a rich collection of ancient artefacts and treasures that tell the story of everyday life in Verulamium. Outside in the extensive park, you can walk along the remains of the Roman wall and see original floor mosaics and part of a hypocaust — the Romans’ underfloor central heating system.