Harpenden

Harpenden is a town in Hertfordshire near the border of Bedfordshire. It is between and near to the city of St Albans and Luton. Primarily a residential community, in the outside of the London commuter belt, but if passing through, there are interesting sights and pleasant places to be enjoyed in this town.

Harpenden is built around 1 Harpenden Common.  , the prime area of Harpenden, with the High Street and Station to its north and Southdown to its south.

Get in

By Bus

Route 307 from Redbourn. Route 321 from Watford to Luton via St Albans. Route 610 from Luton to Potters Bar calling at: Wheathampstead, Hatfield and Brookmans Park.

By car

Harpenden is equidistant between St Albans and Luton by J10 of the M1 5 mi (8.0 km) via the A1081 [formally called the A6] the London to Bedford road. The nearest motorway is M1 J9 near Redbourn.

By train

1 Harpenden station is served by First Capital Connect from London St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway. First Capital Connect also serves Gatwick Airport, with direct journeys only operating at certain times. At times of limited direct services, it is possible to change at London St Pancras onto another First Capital Connect service northbound towards Bedford.

Get around

Local bus companies operate services around the town and connect Harpenden to Luton, St Albans, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and other nearby towns, but the most advisable way to navigate Harpenden is on foot.

If you have a lot of luggage or a number of people travelling in your party then booking Harpenden Taxis will make the price more affordable.

See

2 Rothampsted Manor and Park (is located on the western side of the town). was part of the estate of agricultural scientist Sir John Bennett Lawes. The Rothampsted Experimental Station is still functioning, but it is open to the public to walk through. Nearer the town, the expansive park remains a very pleasant place to spend summer afternoons. Equipped with: a skate park, tennis courts and a children's play area.  

3 Batford Springs Natural Reserve, Lower Luton Road (located on the River Lea on the eastern side of the town, follow Station Road.). is another green open area to pass time. There is a river ford, stepping stones, weir and sluice gate - exploring these can be fun for kids.  

4 Church Green War Memorial, High Street, AL5 2TJ.  

5 St Nicholas's Church, Rothamsted Avenue, AL5 2TW (on Church Green just off the High Street.), ☏ +44 1582 765 524, office@parishofharpenden.org. is the largest church in its parish  

Do

• Harpenden Lions Highland Gathering, Rothamsted Park. Held for a day out with: pipe and drum bands, highland dancing and traditional highland games. (updated Dec 2021)

Record a song at the 1 Music Den, 78A High St, Harpenden AL5 2SP, ☏ +44 1582 622 349. A recording Studio which also provides Music Lessons. (updated Jan 2021)

Buy

Despite the two main up-market supermarkets: 1 Waitrose.  and 2 Sainsbury's.  Harpenden has some interesting shops:

3 Aga, 2 Leyton Rd, Harpenden AL5 2TL (Opposite Waitrose), ☏ +44 1582 712 540. 10AM-5PM {closed Su). Sells AGA cookers (updated Dec 2021)

4 Gallery Rouge, 78 High St, AL5 2SP, ☏ +44 1582 760 332. a contemporary art gallery (updated Dec 2021)

5 Harpenden Books, 48 High St, Harpenden AL5 2SX, ☏ +44 1582 471 375. 9AM-5:30PM. (updated Dec 2021)

6 Lister Interiors Ltd, 6 Leyton Rd, AL5 2TL, ☏ +44 1582 764 270, info@listerinteriorsltd.co.uk. (updated Dec 2021)

Eat

1 Pasta Cibo, 2 Harding Parade, Station Road, AL5 4SW, ☏ +44 1582 760 801. is a family favourite for many residents, with reasonably priced and delicious home-style Italian cooking, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. (updated Nov 2020)

2 Pizza Express, House, 1, The Gate, 2 High St, Harpenden AL5 2TH (is a short walk from the station, on the edge of the common.), ☏ +44 1582 765 714. (updated Nov 2020)

3 Prezzo, 15 Leyton Rd, AL5 2HY (next to Inn on the Green), ☏ +44 1582 469 007. Looks like a public house. (updated Nov 2020)

4 Zaza, 61 High St, AL5 2SL, ☏ +44 1582 462 555, harpenden@zaza.co.uk. Italian cuisine. (updated Nov 2020)

• Towards the north of the High Street is 'The Bangkok Lounge', offering very nice Thai cuisine.
• Shapla is on Station Road, and has a nice variety of Indian food.

Prices of all these restaurants above are reasonable, but remember that dining out in Britain is not a particularly cheap option.

5 Bistro Gautier (The Amble Inn), 182 Station Rd, AL5 4UL (follow Station Road), ☏ +44 1582 762242, info@bistro-gautier.co.uk. Tu-Su 10:30-10PM, M noon-10PM. (updated Nov 2020)

Snack

6 Simmons Bakers, 2 Station Rd, AL5 4SE, ☏ +44 1582 767 306. M-Sa 6:30AM-5:30PM, Su 8AM-4PM. Brilliant bread and pastries (updated Nov 2020)

Drink

Centre

In Harpenden High Street:

1 The Cross Keys, 39 High St, AL5 2SD, ☏ +44 1582 763 989. (updated Nov 2020)

2 The George, 4 High St, AL5 2TB, ☏ +44 1582 763 750. (updated Nov 2020)

3 The Harpenden Arms, 188 High St, AL5 2TR, ☏ +44 1582 461 113. 11AM-10PM. (updated Nov 2020)

4 The Wheatsheaf, 9 High St, AL5 2RT, ☏ +44 1582 764 624. (updated Jan 2021)

On the west side of Harpenden Common:

Bennet's Club

5 Inn On The Green, 20 Leyton Rd, AL5 2HU, ☏ +44 1582 461 804. (updated Nov 2020)

6 Bennet's Club (British Legion Club), 21 Leyton Rd, AL5 2HU, ☏ +44 1582 460424. (updated Nov 2020)

• Silver Cup listed under Sleep.

Batford

7 The Gibraltar Castle, Lower Luton Rd, AL5 5AH, ☏ +44 1582 460 005. Tu-Su noon-10PM, M 2:30-10PM. (updated Nov 2020)

8 The Malta, Lower Luton Rd, AL5 5AH, ☏ +44 1582 713 587. (updated Nov 2020)

9 The Red Cow, 171 Westfield Rd, AL5 4ND, ☏ +44 1582 621 430. noon-11PM (Su 10PM). (updated Dec 2021)

Southdown

10 The Carpenters Arms, 14 Cravells Rd, AL5 1BD, ☏ +44 1582 460 311. M-S 10:30AM-11PM, Su noon–10:30PM. (updated Nov 2020)

11 The Engineer Pub and Restaurant, 12 St Johns Rd, AL5 1DJ, ☏ +44 1582 460 478, manager@theengineerharpenden.co.uk. (updated Nov 2020)

12 Plough & Harrow, 88 Southdown Rd, AL5 1PR, ☏ +44 1582 715 844. (updated Nov 2020)

13 The Skew Bridge, 59 Southdown Rd, AL5 1PQ, ☏ +44 1582 763 727. (updated Nov 2020)

14 The White Horse, Redbourn Ln, Hatching Green, AL5 2JP. (updated Dec 2021)

Further out

15 The Elephant and Castle, Amwell La, AL4 8EA (drive through the country towards Wheathampstead and turn right into Down Green Lane), ☏ +44 1582 832 175, theelephantandcastle@farrbrew.com. noon-9PM, Su closes 4PM. Check out the beautifully lit well inside this pub. (updated Nov 2020)

16 The Fox, 469 Luton Rd, AL5 3QE (north next to the A1081), ☏ +44 1582 713 817. noon-11PM (Su 10PM). (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

1 Harpenden House, 65 High St, AL5 2SL, ☏ +44 1582 761 642. Serviced apartments. 

2 Silver Cup, 5 St Albans Rd, AL5 2JF (facing Harpenden Common), ☏ +44 1582 713 095, hello@thesilvercup.co.uk. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 5 rooms in a public house (updated Dec 2021)

Cope

1 Public Toilet (in front of Pizza Express.). free. (updated Nov 2020)

Go next

• To the south St Albans,5 mi (8.0 km) along the A1081 (was A6).
• If you can get hold of a bicycle and a map (or a desire to explore independently), there are great opportunities for discovering nearby villages such as Kimpton, Peter's Green, Whitwell, Wheathamstead, Redbourn or Flamstead. All of these have more individual small-town feels to them, and often have nice pubs to stop by in.

Routes through Harpenden

Luton Airport ← Luton ←

North  South

→ St Albans → High Barnet