Geography Berkhamsted

berkhamsted , northchurch air, looking south across valley

berkhamsted situated 26 miles (42 km) northwest of london within chiltern hills, part of system of chalk downlands throughout eastern , southern england, believed have formed between 84 , 100 million years ago in cretaceous period when area chalk-depositing marine environment. town located in narrow northwest southeast valley falling 590 feet (180 m) above sea level 344 feet (105 m). valley @ southernmost limit of pleistocene glaciation ice erosion throughout chiltern scarp, giving smooth rounded appearance, alluvial soils in valley bottom , chalk, clay , flint on valley sides. river bulbourne, chalk stream, runs through valley 7 miles (11 km) in southeast direction, starting @ dudswell , adjoining village of northchurch , running through berkhamsted, bourne end , boxmoor, merges river gade @ 2 waters in apsley, near hemel hempstead.

looking south towards st peter s church on high street.

in mesolithic period (middle stone age, mid late 8th millennium bc), local upland pine woodland , low area of central berkhamsted grass-sedge fen. in 6th millennium bc dense deciduous forest became established. mid late 3rd millennium bc during neolithic period (the new stone age) human activity can seen in wood clearances; woodland being dominated lime trees, alder trees growing on flood plain. river bulbourne, rich in eels , other fish, fast-moving , full, , prone frequent localised flooding. river created marsh environment (at times referred unhealthy swamp ) in center of valley. river powered watermills (recorded in 1086) , fed 3 moats of large norman motte , bailey castle, stands close center of town small dry combe joins bulbourne valley.

the layout of berkhamsted s centre typical of medieval market settlement; linear high street (aligned on roman akeman street) forms spine of town (roughly aligned east–west), extend medieval burgage plots (to north , south). surviving burgage plot layout result of comprehensive plan carried out in beginning of 13th century, instigated geoffrey fitz peter. town centre developed on years , contains wide variety of properties date 13th century onwards. modern town began develop after construction of grand junction canal in 1798. canal intersects river @ numerous points, taking of water supply , helping drain valley. locality became further urbanised when london birmingham railway built in 1836–37. townscape shaped bulbourne valley, rises 300 feet on either side @ narrowest point; residential area elongated , follows valley s topography. southwest side of valley more developed, side streets running steep hillside; on northeast side, ground gently slopes down castle, railway, canal , small river, less available development. today, berkhamsted affluent, pleasant town tucked in wooded fold in chiltern hills ; large section of settlement protected conservation area.

2014 map of berkhamsted , northchurch.

the countryside surrounding town includes parts of green belt , chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. urban nature conservation study (uncs) recognises town s hinterland biodiversity resource. hills gently rise undulating , open plateau, has mix of arable farmland, common land , mixed oak, ash , beech woodland. on northeast side of town berkhamsted , northchurch commons, largest in chilterns @ 1,055 acres (427 ha), , forming large arc running northchurch, through frithsden , down potten end. ownership of berkhamsted common divided between national trust , berkhamsted golf club. beyond common 5,000-acre (2,000 ha) historic wooded parkland of ashridge; once part of berkhamsted castle s hunting park, managed national trust. ashridge part of chilterns beechwood special area of conservation (sac), nationally important nature conservation area, , designated site of special scientific interest. agriculture more dominant south of town; close buckinghamshire border there 2 former large country estates, ashlyns , rossway. ancient woodland @ dickshills located here.

neighbouring settlements












local villages

bourne end, nettleden, frithsden potten end, aldbury, ringshall, little gaddesden, great gaddesden, northchurch, cow roast, , ashley green (buckinghamshire)

climate

like of united kingdom, berkhamsted has oceanic climate (köppen climate classification cfb).

near-real-time weather information can retrieved berkhamsted weather station on met office weather observation website