Bovingdon

Bovingdon is an attractive village situated on the edge of the Chilterns, midway between Hemel Hempstead and Chesham, east of Berkshamsted and west of Croxley Green. There was at one time a thriving cottage industry of straw plaiting for the hat industry. The straw was brought from Luton to 'The Well' and people would collect it there and work at home. It was also a thriving farming area - now sadly, there is little work directly in the village, with residents regularly commuting to London and surrounding areas although there are some cottage industries in the area because of modern communications.
The first church was built in 1235 but it did not become a separate parish until 1833. Up to that time Bovingdon and Flaunden were served by Hemel Hempstead Parish. The churchyard is one of the largest in Hertfordshire and contains some very fine avenues of yew trees, which, being poisonous, are supposed to have been planted to
stop the vicar grazing his animals - as well as to improve the appearance. More about St Lawrence Church.

There are three pubs in the village centre, The Halfway House, Bull and The Bell, there used to be a third, the Wheatsheaf which is now closed. On the Green is still the The Royal Oak.
The airfield, build in 1942, is one of Bovingdon's main features, follow the links below for more information.

The airfield

Filming on the airfield

Last Update:
07/10/2009 16:27:11

Relative downloads and links:
Chiltern Garage
Bovingdon Brickworks
Are you a local? Check the 1871 Cenus
Wonder what goes on above our heads?
Bovingdon School Info
Stock Cars at Bovingdon