Staying in Hemel Hempstead

There’s plenty to do when you’re staying in Hemel Hempstead, a lot of which is within walking distance of the Abodebed apartments.

Shopping

Just across the road from your apartment is the Riverside Shopping Centre which has some of the UK’s major high street stores. If that’s not enough, it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk to the larger Marlowes Shopping Centre with even more outlets, including a Tesco Express and an M&S Foodhall, as well as places to eat and drink. If you haven’t got time to browse, some of the shops offer a Click and Collect service.

Leisure

Film buffs are well catered for with the Cineworld multiplex only a mile away; it has 2D and 3D screenings as well as Imax and Superscreen. The cinema is part of the Jarman Square complex with plenty of places to eat, a 24 hour gym, Planet Ice ice rink, and the XC rock climbing centre which also has a skate park, high ropes course and the largest indoor caving system in Europe.

Slightly closer to the apartments – just a 4 minute drive or a 20 minute walk – is the next best thing to being in the mountains, the Snow Centre, a real snow indoor skiing centre. Treat yourself to a lesson to get yourself ready for the winter slopes, or just have a bit of fun – but remember to pack warm clothes, even it’s going to be a heatwave outside!

The Old Town Hall in the old town is about a mile away from the Abodebed apartments. Check to see what’s on as it has a good mix of plays, comedy and live music, as well as some of the films you might have missed in the larger multiplexes.

For smaller productions ad AmDram, the Boxmore Playhouse is just a 10 minute walk away. Home to the HHTheatreCo, it puts on a couple of productions a year.

Finally, if you like to scare yourself, the Spirit of the Old Town’s ghost tours should send a few shivers down your spine.

The outdoor life

Hopefully your stay in Hemel will be marked with lovely sunny weather(!). If this is the case and you fancy a walk in the park, or a picnic, or a even game of giant chess, Gadebridge Park is only about a mile away. If you don’t fancy walking to the park, there are a couple of car parks, and there are lots of things to do when you get there such as bowling, crazy golf, petanque, and croquet. There are also skate parks, cycle tracks and a lot of footpaths to explore.

If you’d rather take a stroll by the Grand Union Canal to see the barges and take in the scenery, it’s only a short walk along Station Road before you can get on to the towpath.

Further afield

If you are going for a meeting in Central London, or want to take the family for a day’s sight-seeing, you’re not far away. The railway station is about a mile from the apartment – around 4 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot – and it’s only around half an hour by train to Euston Station.

Whilst all the attractions of London are only a short train journey away, remember you’re on the edge of some of England’s most beautiful countryside. If you’d rather spend some time away from big cities, there are plenty of things to do nearby. If you’re a bit of a wine buff, you might find a tour of an English vineyard interesting. Frithsden Vineyard has guided tours between May and September, and occasional wine tasting sessions throughout the year. The vineyard, shop and café are open Wednesday to Sunday all year round.

If you’re a member of the National Trust, you might like to head towards the Chilterns to visit Ashridge Estate, where people walk and cycle through the ancient woodlands, meadows and chalk downlands.

If you like your wildlife a bit more exotic, Whipsnade Zoo is only 10 miles away, with all the animals you’d expect to see in a zoo, daily shows and feeding, steam train safaris, plus the brand new butterfly biodome.

Close to Whipsnade is Dunstable Downs where you can fly a kite or have a picnic at the top of the chalky hill looking down upon the gliders from the London Gliding Club. Alternatively, book a gliding experience with the Club and see even more of the beautiful countryside, including great views of the white chalk lion carved into the hills.

These days, no visit to north west London would be complete without a visit to the Harry Potter Experience (especially if you’ve got the kids in tow). You’ll be well placed for a visit as the apartment is only a 15 minute drive away.

Health

Some of our guests visit Hemel Hempstead because they have appointments at the renowned Breakspear Medical clinic, which specialises in outpatient treatments for environmental illnesses. Our apartments couldn’t be more convenient – the clinic is just a 6 minute walk away!

So, with a wide range of restaurants and bars, there are plenty of things to do if you’re staying in an Abodebed luxury serviced apartment in Hemel Hempstead, whether you’re here for business or leisure, or a bit of both.