Nestled in the rolling hills of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — within an hour’s train ride or drive from London – Aldbury offers a charming mix of countryside views, history and its fair share of filming spots to scope out.
Aldbury offers a charming mix of countryside views, history and its fair share of filming spots to scope out. (Image: Draco2008/Flickr)
The village has been featured in a number of popular films and TV shows like Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason, Inspector Morse and Killing Eve, to name a few.
Spots like the duck pond as well as The Greyhound Pub and The Trooper Pub are among some of the village’s filming locations, with the area dubbed the “Hollywood of Home Counties”.
Whilst the village is accessible by car from London, those looking for a car-free day trip from London can take a train from London Euston to nearby Tring Station, taking just 50 minutes, with the option to either walk or take a taxi to the nearby village centre.
Aldbury’s origins go back thousands of years, with the village historically known as “Aldeberie”, referred to in the 1086 Domesday Book.
Some of the village’s most historic buildings include its Parish Church of St John the Baptist – a 13th century structure with Tudor monuments – and The Trooper, a historic pub that’s been serving ale since 1752.
The village is also home to one of Hertfordshire’s highest viewpoints, which can be found on the slope heading towards the Bridgewater Monument, offering views of the Hertfordshire countryside.
Another of the village’s water holes – The Greyhound Inn – has appeared in films like Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and serves up hearty roasts, and marks the end point of the Ridgeway Walk, making it a prime place to stop off after a hike.
But for cyclists, the Musette Café is a favourite spot, serving coffee and offering a quirky setting.
If it’s countryside walks you’re looking for, the village is within reach of a number of popular walking trails like Ashridge Estate – a 5,000-acre National Trust woodland site with ancient trees – and Aldbury Nowers, a local nature reserve that intersects with The Ridgeway – Britain’s oldest road.
For family-friendly activities, Tring’s Natural History Museum is within 10 minutes of the village, housing a whopping 4,900 specimens.
Meanwhile Whipsnade Zoo, Harry Potter Studios and the Roald Dahl Museum are also nearby if you fancy making a day of the area’s other nearby attractions.
