Hemel Hempstead

Hemel Hempstead
Town
The old town centre
The new town centre
Hemel Hempstead
Location within Hertfordshire
Population95,961 (2021 Census)
OS grid referenceTL 056 071
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townHEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Postcode districtHP1, HP2, HP3
Dialling code01442
PoliceHertfordshire
FireHertfordshire
AmbulanceEast of England
UK Parliament

Hemel Hempstead (/ˌhɛməl ˈhɛmpstɪd/) is a town in the Dacorum district in Hertfordshire, England. It is located 24 miles (39 km) north-west of London; nearby towns and cities include Watford, St Albans and Berkhamsted. The population at the 2021 census was 95,961.

Hemel Hempstead has existed since at least the 8th century and was granted its town charter by Henry VIII in 1539. However, it has expanded and developed in recent decades after being designated as a new town after the end of the Second World War.