Spotlight Focus Where innovation meets heritage

From cutting-edge modernisation to cobbled streets, Dacorum is a borough where the past and future seamlessly meet

Formed in 1974 and named after an Anglo-Saxon ‘hundred’ (an ancient administrative division), Dacorum traces its roots back over a thousand years. Once home to Vikings, today it encompasses Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring and a range of picturesque villages – a borough where history and innovation thrive side by side.

Located in West Hertfordshire, just 24 miles from London, Dacorum’s strategic location and excellent connectivity make it a magnet for businesses. With major motorways, rail links and five airports nearby, it’s no surprise that the borough is home to nearly 8,000 companies, from micro-enterprises to global giants.

Dacorum boasts a strong presence in professional, scientific, technical and construction sectors, with companies such as Gama Healthcare, Sopra Steria, Britvic, Huel and Sir Robert McAlpine. It also forms part of the Hertfordshire Innovation Quarter – an Enterprise Zone focused on agri-tech, bioscience, AI, robotics and smart construction, supported by institutions like BRE Group and Rothamsted Research.

At the heart of Dacorum’s economic activity is Hemel Hempstead’s Maylands Business Park, home to more than 650 businesses and over 20,000 employees. The borough council is driving forward ambitious plans to future-proof the area through the Maylands Plus masterplan and the Hemel Garden Communities programme.

Adopted in late 2024, the masterplan sets a 20-year vision for revitalising the business park, supporting innovation and sustainability while embracing future economic and environmental needs. The wider Hemel Garden Communities project will create over 11,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs, transforming Hemel into a greener, more connected New Town.

Among the latest developments is Prologis Park Hemel Hempstead, which is delivering high-quality, sustainable industrial space. Units boast top EPC and BREEAM sustainability ratings, with amenities like flexible mezzanines and outdoor terraces.

Aerospheres, a leading aviation consumables supplier, has committed to a 10-year lease on the site’s 74,770 sq ft DC9 building, a flagship facility near the M1 and M25 that will become its new global hub.

Paul Thompson, CEO of Aerospheres, said: “Securing DC9 Hemel Hempstead as our new UK headquarters marks an exciting step forward for Aerospheres. This building will provide us with the capacity we need to expand our operations and continue to provide our customers with the highest level of service.”

Originally designed post-WWII as a ‘city within a park’, Hemel has grown into Hertfordshire’s largest town, with more than 90,000 residents. From The Marlowes and Riverside shopping centres, to the cobbled charm of the Old Town, it offers modern convenience and historical character.

Local business owner Yasmine Moller, a Workplace Wellbeing Consultant, praises the area’s supportive and collaborative business community and green spaces. She said: “I recharge with walks along the canal paths and enjoy discovering independent coffee shops – Dacorum is full of hidden gems.”

Berkhamsted and Tring, two historic market towns, offer a blend of national retailers and independents. Berkhamsted, home to a Norman castle, has a population of 18,000 and a thriving cultural scene, while Tring (pop. 12,000) is known for its branch of the Natural History Museum and prehistoric origins.

Both towns – along with villages like Bovingdon and Potten End – are set in or near the stunning Chiltern Hills, with the Grand Union Canal winding through them.

Dacorum is prized for its quality of life, offering easy access to London (just 30 minutes by train), alongside countryside, parks and outdoor activities. The Boxmoor Trust manages 500 acres of parkland around Hemel, while the town centre is enriched by green spaces like Gadebridge Park, Paradise Fields and the award-winning Water Gardens.

Leisure attractions include the Ashridge Estate, Apsley Marina, Whipsnade Zoo, the historic art deco Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted and the Harry Potter studio tour nearby. For wellness, there’s Champneys Tring and manor house hotels like Pendley Manor, Shendish Manor and Ashridge House.

Dacorum also has a vibrant food and drink scene, from artisan coffee to award-winning spirits. Highlights include Tring Brewery, Mad Squirrel Brewery and Puddingstone Distillery – all offering tours and tastings. The Gatsby Restaurant and piano bar in Berkhamsted is a top spot for modern European cuisine and cocktails.

Culture buffs can catch films and live shows at The Old Town Hall in Hemel or The Rex Cinema. Dacorum’s film-friendly landscapes have also hosted productions like Harry Potter, The Crown, Paddington in Peru and After Life. Visitors can even apply for audience tickets to shows filmed at Bovingdon Airfield Studios.

September sees the return of Ideas Fest to Pendley Manor in Tring – dubbed the ‘Glastonbury for business leaders’. The event is expected to draw over 3,000 delegates for two days of networking and thought leadership in the countryside. Looking ahead, Dacorum Borough Council is working on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), supporting active travel and collaborating on a new Health

Campus in Hemel Town Centre. This state-of-the-art facility will bring together healthcare, community services and support wellbeing across the borough.

The Dacorum Local Plan, submitted in March 2025, aims to further shape the area’s growth – from housing and employment, to sustainability and heritage – ensuring Dacorum continues to evolve while preserving what makes it special.

With a high quality of life, thriving business hubs, cultural heritage and beautiful countryside on its doorstep, Dacorum is where historic charm meets modern enterprise – an outstanding place to live, work and grow.

Dacorum boasts a strong presence in professional, scientific, technical and construction sectors, with companies such as Gama Healthcare, Sopra Steria, Britvic, Huel and Sir Robert McAlpine.