Car Hire Apsley

Nestled in the heart of Hertfordshire, Apsley forms part of the bustling Hemel Hempstead area, which is a home to approximately 96,000 residents. You’ll find excellent road connections via the A41 and easy access to the M25, making it perfectly positioned for exploring the surrounding countryside.

The town offers various sports activities throughout the year, with mild summers averaging 22°C and crisp winters around 7°C, providing ideal conditions for both indoor and outdoor adventures.

Attractions In Apsley

Discover canal heritage and industrial history attractions, featuring restored Victorian paper mills, scenic Grand Union Canal walks, historic locks and bridges and excellent access to surrounding countryside and market town amenities.

The Snow Centre

Something truly extraordinary awaits at St Albans Hill in nearby Hemel Hempstead. This indoor winter wonderland operates daily with flexible hours – Mondays from 10 AM to 6 PM, Tuesdays starting as early as 7 AM until 10 PM and weekends running 8 AM to 8 PM. With an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 3,100 reviews, it’s become the region’s premier destination for snow sports. Professional instructors guide beginners and experienced skiers through controlled environments where families can safely learn together on well-maintained slopes.

Phasels Wood Activity Centre

Adventure seekers gravitate towards this outdoor hub along the A41 in Kings Langley, which opens weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM. We often recommend it to visitors seeking active pursuits in natural surroundings. The centre provides an extensive range of activities suitable for all ages, with professional staff who are genuinely passionate about outdoor education. School groups, corporate events and family outings thrive here as adventure combines with safety in equal measure.

Rootd Adventure – Phasels Wood

Inclusive outdoor experiences define this specialist education provider at the same Phasels Wood location, operating weekdays from 8:30 in the morning until 6 in the evening. Spacious facilities and thoughtful accessibility features create welcoming environments for everyone. Their skilled staff design age-appropriate activities that cater to diverse needs, including survival shelter building and forest exploration programmes that engage participants of all abilities in meaningful outdoor learning experiences.

South Herts Airsoft

Tactical gaming enthusiasts have quickly embraced this dynamic sports club in Chipperfield as their premier destination. The community-focused venue hosts charity events, corporate team-building sessions and regular open days throughout the year. Recent expansions include a dedicated target practice area with distances from 8 to 45 yards, plus specialised zones for different shooting positions. Well-organised game days and a welcoming atmosphere have created a loyal following among both newcomers and experienced players.

Charter Tower

Historic charm radiates from this landmark at 20-22 High Street in Hemel Hempstead, offering visitors a glimpse into the area’s rich past. The museum sits adjacent to beautiful gardens where the original Bury House once stood as an opulent mansion. Today’s memorial gardens commemorate World War history and provide peaceful surroundings with well-maintained beehives and bird feeders. You can easily combine your visit with a stroll through old Hemel Hempstead, where 16th-century pubs still serve locals and visitors alike.

Extending your exploration beyond Apsley is simple with excellent transport links to these neighbouring towns and villages:

• Hemel Hempstead
• Kings Langley
• Berkhamsted
• Bricket Wood
• Garston
• Redbourn
• St Albans
• Chorleywood

Frogmore Paper Mill

Industrial heritage comes alive at this remarkable site on Fourdrinier Way in Apsley, where papermaking history unfolds through centuries of innovation. We particularly enjoy the comprehensive guided tours that take you through early techniques to massive operational machinery still in their original settings. The 2.5-hour experience includes an informative museum and concludes in their pleasant café. Weekend canal boat trips add another dimension to your visit, though the unheated building means dressing warmly during the winter months is essential.

Roughdown Common Nature Reserve

Roughdown Common Nature Reserve is a delightful chalk grassland site in Hertfordshire, managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. This precious habitat supports an impressive array of wildflowers, including several species of orchid that bloom throughout the summer months. The reserve’s ancient grassland is home to numerous butterflies and other invertebrates, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s a peaceful spot that showcases the beauty of traditional chalk downland, increasingly rare in southern England.

Long Deans

Longspring Wood is a peaceful ancient woodland located in Watford, Hertfordshire, offering a tranquil retreat within an urban setting. This mature woodland is characterised by oak, ash and hornbeam trees, creating a diverse canopy that supports a rich variety of wildlife. In spring, the woodland floor comes alive with carpets of bluebells and other seasonal wildflowers, providing a spectacular display. Birdwatchers can spot numerous species throughout the year, whilst the dense undergrowth provides habitat for small mammals and insects. It’s a valued green space that demonstrates the importance of preserving ancient woodlands in suburban areas.

Longspring Wood

Enchanting woodland transforms into something spectacular during bluebell season at 152 Toms Lane in Kings Langley, when carpets of blue flowers cover the forest floor. Throughout the year, the diverse bird population provides a natural soundtrack for your walks and the varied terrain offers different perspectives on Hertfordshire’s natural beauty. The peaceful setting makes it an ideal escape from urban life, where you can reconnect with nature just minutes from major transport routes.

Halsey Field

Halsey Field is a small but valuable grassland nature reserve in Hertfordshire, carefully managed to preserve its traditional meadow habitat. This community green space features species-rich grassland that bursts into colour during summer months with an array of wildflowers and grasses. Local volunteers play an active role in maintaining the site through conservation activities such as controlled grazing and hay cutting, which help preserve the meadow’s ecological balance. Despite its modest size, Halsey Field serves as a vital wildlife corridor and offers residents a peaceful spot to enjoy nature close to home.

Apsley Mill Lock

Industrial heritage meets natural beauty along the Grand Union Canal at this historic hiking area. The lock system represents centuries of British waterway engineering and surrounding paths offer gentle walks suitable for all fitness levels. Canal boat traffic adds movement and interest to the scene and you’ll often encounter cyclists and narrowboat enthusiasts sharing stories of their travels along this historic waterway that once connected industrial centres across the country.

Chilterns Nature – Harding’s Moor

Diverse recreational opportunities characterise this expansive park in the Boxmoor area alongside the Grand Union Canal. The well-maintained open spaces accommodate various activities and preserve important wildlife habitats. Numerous seating areas strategically placed throughout the grounds allow you to rest and enjoy canal views, where passing narrowboats and local wildlife create an ever-changing tableau of peaceful countryside life just minutes from Apsley’s centre.

Blackbirds Moor

Community spirit thrives at this delightful park at 108 St John’s Road, where Boxmoor Cricket Club calls home during the sporting season. The clean, well-maintained environment extends along the Grand Union Canal, providing excellent walking routes and recreational spaces. Evening strolls reveal the area’s peaceful character and cricket matches during the summer months add community atmosphere. Multiple seating areas throughout the grounds make it perfect for picnics or simply watching the world go by along this historic waterway.