Highfield, Hertfordshire Explained

Country:England
Coordinates:51.7651°N -0.4581°W
Official Name:Highfield
Shire County:Hertfordshire
Region:East of England
Constituency Westminster:Hemel Hempstead
Post Town:Hemel Hempstead
Postcode District:HP2
Postcode Area:HP
Dial Code:01442
Os Grid Reference:TL065085

Highfield is a neighbourhood district in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. It was constructed on a green field site as part of the construction of the postwar newtown expansion of Hemel Hempstead. It is located north of the old town centre. It is most likely named from Highfield House which still exists, although ultimately derived from an old field name which reflects the altitude of the district which reaches 469 feet above sea level.

History

A well-preserved burial mound is located near the junction of Queensway and High Street Green. Prior to recent tidying of the site, there was a plaque reading "'TUMULUS' "Within this enclosure, is a Round Barrow or Burial Mound from the early Bronze Age Circa 1700 BC". But this has been removed, and the site is now understood to be a Roman, or Romano-British burial mound.[1]

Old maps show the pre development area to have been agricultural with some small-scale brick making.

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.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=359275 MONUMENT NO. 359275
  2. Hastie page pages 122 to 129.