Christmas shopping in Hemel Hempstead

Despite its fantastic location within easy reach of London, Hemel Hempstead has many of its own attractions not least its excellent shopping facilities. With Christmas tantalising close the town is the perfect venue for a successful day’s festive shopping. It boasts not only every conceivable high street store but also has an eclectic mix of independent stores in the pedestrianised Old Town and of course a myriad of coffee shops, bars and restaurants for those well-earned breaks!

Old Town, Hemel Hempstead

The beautiful High Street in the Old Town has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and is a wonderful location for a spot of shopping. The Old Town is noted for its antique shops but there is also a wonderfully diverse mix of retail outlets including florists, giftware stores and soft furnishing shops. There is also a wide range of cafes, pubs and restaurants in the Old Town’s many beautiful buildings which are an eclectic mix of Victorian, Georgian and Tudor architecture.      

Riverside Shopping Centre                             

This modern, indoor shopping centre has a variety of stores including a large Debenhams.  As its name suggests it has an attractive riverside location and is easily accessible on foot from the town centre.

The Marlowes

This is Hemel Hempstead’s main shopping district and is in the heart of the town centre. Shops line both sides of the street – much of which is pedestrianised – and there is also a shopping centre with a variety of stores including Marks and Spencer, Sports Direct and The Entertainer. The town’s general outdoor market is held in the pedestrianised area every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Christmas lights switch on

And why not make your Christmas shopping trip to Hemel Hempstead even more festive by attending the town’s Christmas event on Sunday November 24? Gymnast and Olympic Medallist Max Whitlock and Father Christmas will be switching on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm after which there will be a rooftop firework display. Prior to the switch on visitors can enjoy a Christmas market, snow play zone and live music.

Out of town

Further afield there are some great shopping locations including Watford which is home to the huge Harlequin Centre and Berkhamstead which is a beautiful shopping location with many independent retailers and cafes to choose from.