Libraries and leisure

Archaeology, Sites to See

The Charter Tower

The Charter Tower, Hemel Hempstead is all that remains of the 16th century manor house of Sir Richard Combe. It stands two storeys high, and has a porch on the ground floor. Sir Richard was both its owner and builder, between 1557 and 1595, and the panel below the first floor window is carved with his coat-of-arms. The tower is protected, both as a ‘Scheduled Ancient Monument’ and as a ‘Listed Building’. The remains of the manor house’s garden walls can also be seen - these were also first built in the second half of the 16th century, but were partly rebuilt in the 19th century.

The site is near to the centre of Hemel Hempstead, on Queensway, close to the junction with the High Street. Grid reference TL 0549 0773.

Map showing The Charter Tower