Highfield, Hertfordshire
| Highfield | |
| Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
 Hemel Hempstead Queensway at Highfield | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL065085 |
| Location: | 51°45’54"N, 0°27’29"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Hemel Hempstead |
| Postcode: | HP2 |
| Dialling code: | 01442 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Dacorum |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Hemel Hempstead |
Highfield is a neighbourhood district in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It was constructed on a green field site as part of the construction of the postwar new town expansion of Hemel Hempstead. Highfield is located north of the old town centre. It is named from an old field name which reflects the altitude of the district which reaches 469 feet above sea level.
History
It was the sixth new town district to begin construction with work starting in 1959. It was largely complete by 1966. A former branch railway line that linked Hemel Hempstead with nearby Harpenden, called the Nicky Line runs through the district. This is now closed and forms a long distance foot and cycle path.[1]
Like other neighbourhoods in the new town, Highfield is centred on a local shopping centre, here called 'The Heights' which opened in 1962. There is a new town designed pub called The Royal Stag opened in 1964 close by a second shopping parade called 'Bellgate'. This is named after a former pub which predated the new town, called the 'Bellgate Inn'.[1]
Many street names in the district have a distinctive astronomical connection, thus, Jupiter Drive, Neptune Drive, Apollo Way, Uranus Road, Pluto Rise, Saturn Way, Mercury Walk and Martian Avenue. This part of the district is nicknamed "The Planets".[1]
Outside links
References
- Yaxley, Susan; and others (1973, reprinted 1981). History of Hemel Hempstead. Amplion Press: Hemel Hempstead Local History and Records Society. ISBN 0-9502743-0-5.
- Hastie, Scott; Fletcher , Lynne (1997). Hemel Hempstead - The Story of New Town Development. Dacorum Borough Council. ISBN 0-9511539-2-7.
