Hemel Hempstead is a large town that was originally developed as a new town after the second world war. The Government purchased 5,910 acres (23.9 km2) of land and began work on the “New Town” on 4th February 1947. At this time the plans for a revolutionary double roundabout at Moor End were first put forward, it was not until 1973 that the roundabout was opened was quickly christened ‘The Magic Roundabout‘ by locals, echoing the name of the children’s TV show.
The redevelopment of the town centre was started in 1952, with a new centre based on Marlowes south of the old town. The town’s proximity to London and easy access to the UK motorway network have seen businesses flock to the area. It has a burgeoning IT and telecommunications sector, but is also home to a diverse range of employers, from fashion retailers like ASOS and Next to multinationals such as BP and Amazon. Despite the wealth of businesses, Hemel Hempstead offers plenty of green space. When working on plans for the development of the town in the mid-20th century, architect Geoffrey Jellicoe said he wanted to create a “city in a park”. This vision can be seen to this day in areas such as Gadebridge Park – Hemel Hempstead’s largest green space – and the Jellicoe Water Gardens. With its fantastic transport links and abundant greenery, it’s easy to see why there is so much interest in houses for sale in Hemel Hempstead.
