Henlow Explained

Country:England
Coordinates:52.0325°N -0.2871°W
Official Name:Henlow
Static Image Name:Henlow, St Mary (geograph 4424492).jpg
Static Image Caption:Parish church of St Mary
Population:2,253
Population Ref:(Henlow village)
3,815 (Parish)
(2011 Census)
Unitary England:Central Bedfordshire
Lieutenancy England:Bedfordshire
Region:East of England
Constituency Westminster:Hitchin
Post Town:HENLOW
Postcode District:SG16
Postcode Area:SG
Dial Code:01462
Os Grid Reference:TL176385

Henlow is a village and civil parish in the Central Bedfordshire district of the county of Bedfordshire, England, about 11miles south-east of the county town of Bedford. The name Henlow is believed to derive from the old English henna hlaw, meaning in old English "hill of birds" or “hill frequented by birds”.[1]

At the 2011 census the population of the village was 2,253, and 3,815 for the parish.[2] Since 2023, Henlow has been in the parliamentary constituency of Hitchin.[3]

Village

Henlow is mentioned (with a degree of dispute recorded) in the Domesday Book. The entry reads: Haneslau(ue)/Hanslau(e): Herfast from Nigel d'Aubigny; Hugh from Walter of Flanders; Widder and Bernard from Azelina, Ralph Tailbois' wife (Hugh de Beauchamp claims from her, stating it was never in her dowry); Alric. 2 mills.[4]

The parish includes RAF Henlow and that part of Henlow Camp situated east of the A600 road.[5] While RAF Henlow is located near Henlow, it is nearer to the village of Stondon.[6] The civilian settlement of Henlow Camp has grown up near to the RAF station.

There is a health farm in Henlow at Henlow Grange, part of the Champneys group.The parish church, Grade I listed, and parts of which are from the 12th century, is dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.[7]

The Henlow greyhound racing track closed permanently on 21 January 2024.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Henlow Parish. Parish history. 6 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Central Bedfordshire. Census 2011 Henlow. 6 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK? . House of Commons Library . Parliament UK . 5 August 2024.
  4. Web site: Open Domesday. Henlow. 6 August 2020.
  5. Web site: UK Civil Parishes . AZ . 27 October 2019.
  6. Web site: RAF. RAF Henlow. 6 August 2020.
  7. Web site: Church of England. Church of St Mary the Virgin, Henlow. 6 August 2020.
  8. Web site: Henlow Closure - Sunday January 21. greyhoundstar.co.uk.