Berkhamsted - Berkhamsted is an attractive town in the county of Hertfordshire on the Grand Union Canal, by the Chiltern Hills.

Guarded by the traces of its Norman Castle where Chaucer once stayed, Berkhamsted is littered with old churches, houses, inns and other old buildings including the Friends Meeting House, which dates back to 1818, perfectly characterising the High Street which runs parallel to the River Bulbourne. Very little of the Castle remains today, but visitors still enjoy exploring its double motte.

Open countryside, including Berkhamsted Common, surrounds this ancient town and there are many scenic routes in the area for walkers and those who like to picnic in the great outdoors.

The poet Cowper and Bishop Ken 1637, were both born here and the town has had several royal residents which include the Black Prince and Robert de Mortain, who was given the town as a gift by his half brother William the Conqueror.

Besides the historic sites and beautiful countryside, the town has a bustle of nightlife with small cafes and many restaurants, pubs and clubs.

For more information about your town, please visit the Hertfordshire County Council website.

Bishop's Stortford - An ancient town on the Stort with ruins of Norman Castle, a 15th century church, and a Grammar School where Cecil Rhodes was educated.

Borehamwood - Between Watford and Barnet and just to north of M1, location of the Elstree film and TV recording studios. Water-based recreation in Aldenham Country Park.

Broxbourne - Broxbourne, more or less a continuation of Hoddesdon, lies in the Lea Valley. It has attractive meadows and woodlands. It is now a borough, located within Hertfordshire. There is a mill with a history dating back to Domesday. One can hire boats and cruise in the Lea Valley Regional Park.

The A10 passes north south through the borough.

Buntingford - Small town in the north of East Hertfordshire District Council area. Largely unchanged in the last century, it developed as a coaching stop on Ermine Street, from London to Cambridge. There is a large Sainbury's warehouse depot.

Cheshunt - Largely modern built up area on northern edge of London, in the Borough of Broxbourne. The council offices occupy the former theological college of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connection.

Harpenden - From agricultural origins, Harpenden has developed into an attractive town with many listed buildings. The whole town centre is classified as a conservation area. One of Britain's most famous agricultural research stations, Rothamstead, is here.

Sawbridgeworth - Described as 'one of the best small towns in Hertfordshire', it is dominated by the spire of the 13th century parish church, and is a mixture of old inns and Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Welwyn - Separated by the A1(M) from its new town garden city successor, Welwyn is a small town, retaining some charming buildings. A site of both Iron Age and Roman settlements, the remains of a Roman bath house can still be seen today.

Welwyn was at one time a stop on the Great North Road, a main coaching route to London, and a number of coaching inns still remain in the town as do some picturesque old houses. St Mary’s church has a monument to its vicar (1730-1765), Edward Young, author of ‘On Original Composition'.

For more information about the area please visit the Welwyn Hatfield Council website.