Berkhamsted

Attractions

The castle was once a typical Norman motte and bailey castle and you can visit the ruins today. There is an art deco cinema, a great feature of the town. The old Rex, opened in 1938, had been virtually derelict since 1988. In 2004, after a great restoration effort, it reopened and is now known for its elegance, comfort and hospitality and daily shows (except Sunday). Enjoy a walk along the Grand Union Canal, with its brightly painted boats, and see ducks, geese and swans - and an occasional heron standing guard on its territory! Look out for the town’s totem pole, which was carved by a Canadian artist of the Kwakiutl tribe. The totem pole arrived in 1970 to adorn a timber yard. It is a little the worse for wear but it’s an unusual feature. The characterful 16th-century architecture is not lost on the large number of unique retailers and restaurateurs who have helped provide this thriving, picturesque town with a fashionable buzz. Look out for H.H. Dickman’s chemist’s shop – its frontage is protected and the interior is sympathetically preserved. 

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