Cheshunt (/ˈtʃɛzənt/ CHEZ-ənt) is a town in the

Borough of Broxbourne The Borough of Broxbourne is a Non-metropolitan district, local government district with borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in Hertfordshire, England. Its council is based in Cheshunt. Other settlements in the borough include Br ...

, Hertfordshire, England, situated within the

London commuter belt The London metropolitan area is the metropolitan area of London, England. It has several definitions, including the London Travel to work area, Travel to Work Area, and usually consists of the London urban area, settlements that share London' ...

approximately north of

Central London Central London is the innermost part of London, in England, spanning the City of London and several boroughs. Over time, a number of definitions have been used to define the scope of Central London for statistics, urban planning and local gove ...

. The town lies on the

River Lea The River Lea ( ) is in the East of England and Greater London. It originates in Bedfordshire, in the Chiltern Hills, and flows southeast through Hertfordshire, along the Essex border and into Greater London, to meet the River Thames at Bow Cr ...

and

Lee Navigation The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea (also called the River Lee along the sections that are navigable). It flows from Hertford Castle Weir to the River Thames at Bow Creek; its first lock is Hertford Lock and i ...

, bordering the

Lee Valley Park Lee Valley Regional Park is a long linear park, much of it green spaces, running through the northeast of Greater London, Essex and Hertfordshire. The park follows the course of the River Lea (Lee) along the Lea Valley from Ware in Hertfords ...

, and forms part of the Greater London Urban Area. As of the 2021 census, the built-up area subdivision of Cheshunt had a population of 43,770. Historically recorded as ''Cestrehunt'' in the

Domesday Book Domesday Book ( ; the Middle English spelling of "Doomsday Book") is a manuscript record of the Great Survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 at the behest of William the Conqueror. The manuscript was originally known by ...

of 1086, Cheshunt developed along the Roman road of

Ermine Street Ermine Street is a major Roman road in England that ran from London (''Londinium'') to Lincoln ('' Lindum Colonia'') and York ('' Eboracum''). The Old English name was ''Earninga Strǣt'' (1012), named after a tribe called the ''Earninga ...

and shows evidence of prehistoric, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon settlement. The nearby

Theobalds Palace Theobalds House (also known as Theobalds Palace) in the parish of Cheshunt in the English county of Hertfordshire, north of London, was a significant stately home and (later) royal palace of the 16th and early 17th centuries. Set in extensive ...

hosted monarchs such as

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...

and

James I James I may refer to: People *James I of Aragon (1208–1276) * James I of Sicily or James II of Aragon (1267–1327) * James I, Count of La Marche (1319–1362), Count of Ponthieu * James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347) *James I of Cyprus (1334� ...

, and the town later became known for glasshouse horticulture, rose cultivation, and corporate retail, serving as the headquarters of

Tesco Tesco plc () is a British multinational groceries and general merchandise retailer headquartered in the United Kingdom at its head offices in Welwyn Garden City, England. The company was founded by Jack Cohen (businessman), Sir Jack Cohen in ...

until 2016. Cheshunt today is a commuter town with regular services via

Cheshunt railway station Cheshunt is an interchange station for London Overground ( Weaver line) and Greater Anglia services on the Lea Valley lines, located in Cheshunt in the Borough of Broxbourne. It is on the West Anglia Main Line section of the Lea Valley lines ...

on the

West Anglia Main Line The West Anglia Main Line is one of the two main line railways that operate out of (the other being the Great Eastern Main Line to Ipswich and Norwich). It runs generally north through Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Harlow, Bishop's Stortford and ...

and

London Overground London Overground (also known simply as the Overground) is a Urban rail in the United Kingdom, suburban rail network serving London and its environs. Established in 2007 to take over Silverlink Metro routes, it now serves a large part of Greate ...

, and is accessible by road via the A10 and

M25 motorway The M25 or London Orbital Motorway is a major ring road encircling most of Greater London. The motorway is one of the most important roads in the UK and one of the busiest. Margaret Thatcher opened the final section in 1986, making the M25 th ...

. The local economy includes logistics, retail, business parks, and hospitality, and is undergoing transformation with major developments such as Cheshunt Lakeside, Brookfield Riverside, and a £1 billion Google data centre. Notable residents have included

Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is a British singer and actor. He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and, as of 2012, was the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart histo ...

Victoria Beckham Victoria Caroline, Lady Beckham (; born 17 April 1974) is an English fashion designer, singer, and television personality. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the pop group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Posh Spic ...

, and Olympic cyclist

Laura Kenny Dame Laura Rebecca Kenny, Lady Kenny, ( Trott; born 24 April 1992) is a former British professional Track cycling, track and Road bicycle racing, road cyclist who specialised in track endurance events, specifically the team pursuit, omnium, scra ...

Toponymy

The name ''Cheshunt'' originates from the Old English term ''Cestrehunt'', which appears in the

of 1086.The first element, ''ceaster'', derives from the

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

''castra'', meaning "fort" or "military camp", a common component in English place names that indicates

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

origins. The second element, ''hunt'', is thought to denote "a hunting ground" or "huntsman", suggesting that the area may have been known for its association with hunting. This etymology is consistent with Cheshunt's position along the Roman road of

, which connected Londinium to Eboracum (modern-day London to York). Though no archaeological evidence of a Roman fort has been conclusively identified in Cheshunt itself, its toponymic structure and strategic location suggest a Roman presence. Over the centuries, the name gradually evolved through forms such as ''Cestrehunt'' and ''Chestehunt'' to its modern spelling, ''Cheshunt'', preserving the linguistic memory of its ancient origins.

History

Cheshunt's history spans

prehistoric Prehistory, also called pre-literary history, is the period of human history between the first known use of stone tools by hominins million years ago and the beginning of recorded history with the invention of writing systems. The use o ...

settlements to its modern role as a

commuter town A commuter town is a populated area that is primarily residential rather than commercial or industrial. Routine travel from home to work and back is called commuting, which is where the term comes from. A commuter town may be called by many o ...

, shaped by its strategic location along

, prominence in horticulture, and transformation through royal associations, industrialisation, and suburban growth.

Prehistoric and Roman period

Archaeological evidence indicates human activity in Cheshunt from prehistoric times, with excavations uncovering flint tools and pottery. During the Roman era, Cheshunt's position along

, a major road linking Londinium (London) to Eboracum (York), made it a significant staging post. Roman Roads in Britannia

Evidence of a Roman settlement, possibly a villa or mansio, includes coins and pottery finds. The Roman Urn public house on Crossbrook Street commemorates this heritage. A 2007 ''Time Team'' investigation revealed further Roman-era artefacts, confirming notable Roman presence in Cheshunt.

Anglo-Saxon and mediaeval periods

The name Cheshunt likely derives from the Anglo-Saxon "ceastel" (fortified place) and "hunt" (hunting ground). By the mediaeval period, Cheshunt was an established manor, recorded in the

of 1086 as "Cestrehunt," held by the Count of Mortain with a mill, fishery, and extensive agricultural land. St Mary the Virgin Church, constructed in the 12th century with Norman architectural features, became a religious and community focal point. The Eleanor cross at neighbouring

Waltham Cross Waltham Cross is a town in the Borough of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, England, located north of central London. In the south-eastern corner of Hertfordshire, it borders Cheshunt to the north, Waltham Abbey to the east, and Enfield to the sout ...

, erected in 1291 by

Edward I Edward I (17/18 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots (Latin: Malleus Scotorum), was King of England from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he was Lord of Ireland, and from 125 ...

in memory of Queen Eleanor of Castile, highlights Cheshunt's proximity to royal routes.

Tudor period

Cheshunt gained prominence during the

Tudor era In England and Wales, the Tudor period occurred between 1485 and 1603, including the Elizabethan era during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558–1603). The Tudor period coincides with the dynasty of the House of Tudor in England, which began with ...

, particularly through its association with

Queen Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudor. Her eventful reign, and its effect on history ...

, built in the late 15th century by

Sir William Cecil William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (13 September 15204 August 1598), was an English statesman, the chief adviser of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State (1550–1553 and 1558–1572) and Lord High Treasurer from ...

, Lord Burghley, became a favoured royal residence.

visited frequently, using Theobalds as a retreat during her progresses and spending time there as a princess under house arrest before her ascension. The palace was later gifted to

in 1607, who preferred it over other royal residences. The last royal resident to call Theobalds Palace home was King Charles I. Following the victory of

Oliver Cromwell Oliver Cromwell (25 April 15993 September 1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially ...

and the Parliamentarians in the

English Civil War The English Civil War or Great Rebellion was a series of civil wars and political machinations between Cavaliers, Royalists and Roundhead, Parliamentarians in the Kingdom of England from 1642 to 1651. Part of the wider 1639 to 1653 Wars of th ...

, the palace was dismantled, with much of its stone repurposed for other buildings.

Cheshunt Great House Cheshunt Great House was a manor house in the town of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England, near to Waltham Abbey. It is said to have been built by Henry VIII of England for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. The family seat of the Shaw family for over a centu ...

, another significant Tudor manor, was linked to a succession of noble and notable figures.In 1519, the Great House came into the possession of Cardinal

Thomas Wolsey Thomas Wolsey ( ; – 29 November 1530) was an English statesman and Catholic cardinal (catholic), cardinal. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the king's Lord High Almoner, almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered and ...

, King

Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

chief adviser.

17th and 18th centuries

During the

, Cheshunt's strategic location along

made it significant.

was seized by Parliamentarians, and

is said to have visited, with local tradition linking Cheshunt Park to his family. The palace was partially demolished post-war, with materials repurposed, though its grounds remain as Cedars Park, now a public space. In the 18th century, Cheshunt's economy grew through market gardening, supplying London with produce via the

19th century and industrialisation

The 19th century marked a significant transformation for Cheshunt, driven by advancements in transportation, horticulture, and education. Cheshunt, within the

Lea Valley The Lea Valley (also spelt Lee Valley), the valley of the River Lea, has been used as a transport corridor, a source of sand and gravel, an industrial area, a water supply for London, and a recreational area. The London 2012 Summer Olympics wer ...

, became a key centre for the emerging glasshouse (greenhouse) industry in the mid-19th century. Its fertile soil, mild climate, and proximity to London markets made it ideal for

market garden A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. The diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically from under to s ...

ing. The arrival of the

Northern and Eastern Railway The Northern & Eastern Railway (N&ER) was an early British railway company, that planned to build a line from London to York. Its ambition was cut successively back, and it was only constructed from Stratford, east of London, to the towns of Bi ...

in 1840 enabled growers to transport fresh produce rapidly to the capital, boosting commercial horticulture. In 1825, the Cheshunt Railway; an experimental overhead monorail—was opened by local entrepreneur Mr Gibbs. Running from his brickworks near Gews Corner to a wharf on the

, it was designed primarily for hauling bricks but also carried passengers, making it the world's first passenger monorail. The design featured an overhead track with horse-drawn carriages suspended below, with hinged rail sections to accommodate road crossings. The Northern and Eastern Railway's extension to Cheshunt in 1840 enhanced connectivity with London, spurring suburban development and integrating the town into the capital's economic landscape. Cheshunt also became renowned for rose cultivation. The nursery firm Paul & Son, established in 1806, gained prominence for breeding notable varieties, including the ‘Cheshunt Hybrid’ rose introduced in the 1870s, enhancing the town's reputation in ornamental gardening. Education expanded with the Dewhurst School, founded in 1640 by Robert Dewhurst, which added new facilities to meet growing demand in the 19th century.

20th century

The 20th century marked Cheshunt's transformation from a rural market town into a key part of London's

commuter belt A metropolitan area or metro is a region consisting of a densely populated urban agglomeration and its surrounding territories which share industries, commercial areas, transport network, infrastructures and housing. A metropolitan area usually ...

. Culmanating in today with Cheshunt been identified as one of the more favourable commuter towns for those working in London, based on factors such as property prices, travel time, and local amenities.

Greenhouse Industry

By the early 20th century, Cheshunt was a major hub of greenhouse production, renowned for cultivating salad crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes. In 1931,

British Pathé British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and cultur ...

featured Cheshunt's female horticultural workers in an Eve's Film Review segment titled ''Glass-House Girls''. The footage showcases women harvesting cucumbers in the town's commercial greenhouses, carefully sorting the produce into wicker baskets before loading them onto lorries for distribution. The widespread use of greenhouses led to the

region being dubbed the "Glasshouse Capital of Britain" and "London's Salad Bowl". The wider Lea Valley, including Cheshunt, peaked at of greenhouse cultivation around 1950, the largest in the UK. In 1967, a quarter of the country's glasshouses were in the area. Commercial nursery - geograph

While small-scale manufacturing and retail expanded, Cheshunt's horticultural tradition declined in the latter half of the 20th century due to cheaper imports, escalating fuel costs, and pressure from housing development. Many nurseries closed or were converted into residential areas. While Cheshunt's greenhouse industry has largely diminished, the wider Lea Valley continues to operate around of glasshouses, producing approximately 75% of the UK's crop.

War Commemoration

In 1923, a war memorial, designed by architect J.W. Hanchett, was erected in Cheshunt to honour local men who died in the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and later rededicated to include those from

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and post-1945 conflicts. Located with free access from Victoria Close, it was unveiled on 24 February 1923, attended by local clergy and dignitaries. Annual Remembrance Sunday services continue to be held at the site, reflecting its ongoing role in the community's civic life. On 12 August 1944, a

Consolidated B-24 Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and some initial production aircraft were laid down as export models desi ...

bomber (serial number 42-95023) of the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

crashed near Maxwells Farm in Cheshunt, killing all ten crew members aboard. The crew's bravery, particularly pilot Lieutenant Ellis, who diverted the aircraft to avoid the town, is commemorated in the naming of Lieutenant Ellis Way. A memorial plaque was unveiled in 2010 near the crash site at the entrance to St Mary's School, honouring the American crew's sacrifice.

Economic and Urban Development

In 1929, Jack Cohen opened one of the first

stores in Cheshunt's High Street, setting in motion the company's expansion into a retail giant. Tesco later relocated its corporate headquarters to the town, remaining there until 2016 and contributing significantly to the local economy. Former Tesco HQ Cheshunt

Following the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Cheshunt experienced rapid urbanisation as part of

Greater London Greater London is an administrative area in England, coterminous with the London region, containing most of the continuous urban area of London. It contains 33 local government districts: the 32 London boroughs, which form a Ceremonial count ...

's overspill housing strategy. Large

council estates Public housing in the United Kingdom, also known as council housing or social housing, provided the majority of rented accommodation until 2011, when the number of households in private rental housing surpassed the number in social housing. D ...

were developed in areas like Bury Green and Rosedale to meet the demand for affordable housing. Electrification of rail lines and improved commuter links made the town increasingly attractive to those working in the capital. Education expanded to meet the needs of the growing population, with the founding of

Goffs Academy Goffs Academy is a secondary school and sixth form with academy status located in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England with around 1,300 students. The school's motto was "Sola Virtus Invicta", (which roughly translates from Latin to "strength of c ...

in 1964, while older institutions like Dewhurst St Mary's Primary School remained active.

21st century

Cheshunt in the 21st century balances its historical heritage with suburban growth and urban regeneration. Cedars Park, located on the former grounds of

, serves as a heritage and leisure hub, hosting community events and preserving elements of the Tudor estate. Until 2004, Temple Bar,a historic gateway from London—stood in Theobalds Park before being returned to the

City of London The City of London, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

and re-erected in

Paternoster Square Paternoster Square is a former historic square, renamed from Newgate Market c. 1872, and now a post-war urban redevelopment, owned by the Mitsubishi Estate, next to St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. The area was previously named Patern ...

near

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle, is an Anglican cathedral in London, England, the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London in the Church of Engl ...

. The listed ruins of

and the church of St Mary the Virgin remain significant historical landmarks, notable for their architectural and historical value. Urban regeneration has revitalised Cheshunt's public spaces. The restoration of Grundy Park transformed the former leisure complex into a modern green space with enhanced facilities. The Birch Hotel, opened in 2020 on the site of a former conference centre, reflects Cheshunt's shift towards boutique hospitality and design-led redevelopment. Although

relocated its headquarters from Cheshunt in 2016, its long-standing presence shaped the town's economic development. With transport links via the M25 and Cheshunt railway station, Cheshunt remains an established commuter town, balancing suburban expansion with its historic core.

Geography

Location and topography

Cheshunt is located in the

, Hertfordshire, approximately north of

central London Central London is the innermost part of London, in England, spanning the City of London and several boroughs. Over time, a number of definitions have been used to define the scope of Central London for statistics, urban planning and local gove ...

. The town lies within the

, a broad floodplain shaped by the

, which flows south into the

River Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the The Isis, River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the Longest rivers of the United Kingdom, s ...

. The topography is largely flat with gentle undulations, ranging between 20 and 60 metres above sea level. The area's geological composition includes Quaternary

alluvial Alluvium (, ) is loose clay, silt, sand, or gravel that has been deposited by running water in a stream bed, on a floodplain, in an alluvial fan or beach, or in similar settings. Alluvium is also sometimes called alluvial deposit. Alluvium is ...

deposits and Eocene

London Clay The London Clay Formation is a Sediment#Shores and shallow seas, marine formation (geology), geological formation of Ypresian (early Eocene Epoch, c. 54-50 million years ago) age which outcrop, crops out in the southeast of England. The London C ...

, contributing to the fertile soils historically suited for market gardening.

Hydrology and natural features

The

and its network of waterways—including the

Small River Lea The Small River Lea is a minor tributary of the River Lea, which flows through the Lee Valley Park between Cheshunt and Enfield Lock. It forms part of the Turnford and Cheshunt Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it flows through t ...

Rags Brook Rags Brook is a tributary of the Small River Lea, which is a tributary of the River Lea. Rags Brook rises in the hills between Goffs Oak Cuffley in Hertfordshire, England. Brookfield Lane follows the course of the brook and the Brookfield C ...

and Turnford Brook—traverse Cheshunt, shaping the town's hydrological landscape and supporting a vibrant ecosystem. These watercourses form part of the

, a linear green corridor that includes wetlands, woodlands, and recreational areas. Turnford Brook, a minor tributary of the River Lea, rises near Wormley and flows southeast beneath the A10 and the New River via an aqueduct at Turnford. It continues through Cheshunt Wash, a low-lying area that also receives flow from

, before running under the West Anglia Main Line and eventually joining the

in the

River Lee Country Park The River Lee Country Park is located in the Lee Valley Park and is managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Covering on either side of the River Lee Navigation between Waltham Abbey (town), Waltham Abbey and Broxbourne, it is an are ...

. Cheshunt Wash, part of the

floodplain A floodplain or flood plain or bottomlands is an area of land adjacent to a river. Floodplains stretch from the banks of a river channel to the base of the enclosing valley, and experience flooding during periods of high Discharge (hydrolog ...

, plays a key role in local flood management and supports wetland habitats. The area is subject to flood risk and includes zones designated as 'Danger for Most' under hazard assessments related to nearby development. The town also contains the

Turnford and Cheshunt Pits The Turnford and Cheshunt Pits is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Cheshunt in Hertfordshire and Essex and covers a total of 428.17 acres (173.28 ha).Site of Special Scientific Interest A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Great Britain, or an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland, is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom and Isle ...

(SSSI). These former gravel pits, now flooded, are valued for their biodiversity, supporting orchids, dragonflies, and over 200 bird species. The New River, a 17th-century artificial aqueduct built to supply drinking water to London, passes through the town near Brookfield shopping centre, White Fields estate and Bury Green. At

Cheshunt Lock Cheshunt Lock (No 9) is a lock on the River Lee Navigation at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, for which it is named. Unlike some other locks on the River Lee, it has not, in turn, given its name to more local the surrounding area. Geography The loc ...

on the Lee Navigation, boaters navigate an operational lock that reflects the town's historic involvement in river trade and transport.

Urban layout and land use

Cheshunt has a polycentric urban structure, characterised by multiple centres of activity rather than a single dominant town core. The traditional town centre, known locally as the ''Old Pond'', lies at the junction of College Road and Turners Hill and serves as a focal point for civic amenities and local businesses. To the north, the **Brookfield Centre**, formerly Brookfield Farm, functions as a major retail complex, housing large-format stores such as

Marks & Spencer Marks and Spencer plc (commonly abbreviated to M&S and colloquially known as Marks & Sparks or simply Marks) is a major British multinational retailer based in London, England, that specialises in selling clothing, beauty products, home produc ...

Next NeXT, Inc. (later NeXT Computer, Inc. and NeXT Software, Inc.) was an American technology company headquartered in Redwood City, California that specialized in computer workstations for higher education and business markets, and later develope ...

and

River Island River Island (stylised as RiverIsland and abbreviated as RI) is a London-based, multi-channel fashion brand, founded in 1948 by Bernard Lewis (entrepreneur), Bernard Lewis. The retailer has a presence in over 125 of worldwide markets, in stores ...

. It is physically and functionally distinct from the Old Pond and plays a key role in the town's commercial landscape. Other significant residential and commercial nodes contribute to this decentralised layout. These include: * Bury Green, to the west of the Old Pond, historically a hub for

council housing Public housing in the United Kingdom, also known as council housing or social housing, provided the majority of rented accommodation until 2011, when the number of households in private rental housing surpassed the number in social housing. D ...

estates developed in the mid-20th century. * Rosedale, a residential area to the south-west with post-war housing and green spaces. * Churchgate, the original medieval village core near St Mary's Church, with heritage value and local shops and a designated conservation area. * Hammond Street, a largely suburban and semi-rural zone on the western edge of the town, formerly part of open agricultural land. * Flamstead End, situated in the western part of Cheshunt, which has undergone residential development following the decline of the greenhouse industry. * Goffs Oak fringe, a semi-rural area marking the western boundary of Cheshunt, with overlapping community identity and low-density housing. To the west, Cheshunt abuts the

Metropolitan Green Belt The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It comprises parts of Greater London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey, parts of two of the three districts of Bedfordshire and a s ...

, preserving areas of open countryside and some remaining horticultural land. To the east, the town's boundary is defined by the River Lea and its associated wetlands. This area forms part of the

and is subject to development restrictions due to flood risk and environmental designations. Modern urban development has largely been shaped by Cheshunt's role as a

for London. The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw significant expansion of residential estates, retail zones, and transport infrastructure to accommodate population growth and changing land use patterns.

Climate

Cheshunt has a temperate maritime climate, characterised by mild summers and cool winters. Average high temperatures range from 8 °C in January to 23 °C in July, with an annual precipitation of approximately 720 mm. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Demographics

According to the 2021 United Kingdom census, Cheshunt had a total population of 43,770.

Ethnic composition

Cheshunt has seen increasing ethnic diversity over the past decade. The ethnic breakdown of residents in 2021 was as follows: This marks a shift from 2011, when over 90% of Cheshunt's population identified as White, and reflects broader demographic trends in Hertfordshire and the East of England.

Religious affiliation

Data from the 2021 census indicates the following religious composition in Cheshunt: This represents a decline in Christian affiliation compared to previous decades, alongside a notable rise in those identifying with no religion or with non-Christian faiths.

Population growth

Cheshunt's population has grown steadily due to its proximity to London, improved transport infrastructure, and sustained residential development. The 2021 population figure (43,770) reflects a moderate increase from 2011, in line with borough-wide trends.

Governance

There are two tiers of local government covering Cheshunt, at

district A district is a type of administrative division that in some countries is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municip ...

(borough) and

county A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...

level: Broxbourne Borough Council and

Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire County Council is the upper-tier local authority for the non-metropolitan county of Hertfordshire, in England. The council was created in 1889. It is responsible for a wide range of public services in the county, including social c ...

. The borough council is based in Cheshunt, having its offices at the Bishop's College on Churchgate.

Administrative history

Cheshunt was an

ancient parish In England, a civil parish is a type of administrative parish used for local government. It is a territorial designation which is the lowest tier of local government. Civil parishes can trace their origin to the ancient system of parishes, w ...

in the

hundred 100 or one hundred (Roman numerals, Roman numeral: C) is the natural number following 99 (number), 99 and preceding 101 (number), 101. In mathematics 100 is the square of 10 (number), 10 (in scientific notation it is written as 102). The standar ...

of Hertford. The parish was subdivided into three

townships A township is a form of human settlement or administrative subdivision. Its exact definition varies among countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, this tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Canad ...

: Cheshunt Street,

, and Woodside. In 1837 the parish was included in the

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

Poor Law Union A poor law union was a geographical territory, and early local government unit, in Great Britain and Ireland. Poor law unions existed in England and Wales from 1834 to 1930 for the administration of poor relief. Prior to the Poor Law Amendment ...

, a group of parishes which collectively administered their responsibilities under the

poor laws The English Poor Laws were a system of poor relief in England and Wales that developed out of the codification of late-medieval and Tudor-era laws in 1587–1598. The system continued until the modern welfare state emerged in the late 1940s. E ...

. The parish of Cheshunt was made a

local board of health A local board of health (or simply a ''local board'') was a local authority in urban areas of England and Wales from 1848 to 1894. They were formed in response to cholera epidemics and were given powers to control sewers, clean the streets, regulat ...

district in 1850, administered by an elected board, which first met in October that year. Such districts were reconstituted as urban districts under the

Local Government Act 1894 The Local Government Act 1894 ( 56 & 57 Vict. c. 73) was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales outside the County of London. The act followed the reforms carried out at county leve ...

. The urban district council was initially based at St Mary's Hall on College Road. It later moved to the Manor House at 22 Turners Hill, a substantial 1860s house. Cheshunt Public Library was built in the Manor House grounds in 1907. In 1944, the urban district council was granted its own

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldry, heraldic communication design, visual design on an escutcheon (heraldry), escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the last two being outer garments), originating in Europe. The coat of arms on an escutcheon f ...

. Cheshunt Urban District was abolished in 1974 under the

Local Government Act 1972 The Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974. It was one of the most significant acts of Parliament to be passed by the Heath Gov ...

. The area became part of the new

. No

successor parish Successor parishes are Civil parishes in England, civil parishes with a parish councils in England, parish council, created in England in 1974. They replaced, with the same boundaries, a selected group of Urban district (England and Wales), urban d ...

was created for the former urban district, and so it became unparished. Shortly before its abolition, the old urban district council bought the former Bishop's College on Churchgate, and that complex was extended to become the headquarters of the new Broxbourne Borough Council. The old urban district council offices at the Manor House were demolished in the late 1980s and replaced with a sheltered housing development, Edwards Court.

Economy and Industry

As of 2023, the employment rate in the

, which includes Cheshunt, was approximately 79.5% among residents aged 16 to 64. The area maintains a diverse local economy centred on retail, logistics, light manufacturing, and services. Recent regeneration projects and business park expansions continue to shape employment opportunities in the town.

Retail and corporate presence

, the British multinational retailer, established its head office on Delamare Road in Cheshunt in 1973. The headquarters remained operational until 2016, when the company relocated to

Welwyn Garden City Welwyn Garden City ( ) is a town in Hertfordshire, England, north of London. It was the second Garden city movement, garden city in England (founded 1920) and one of the first New towns in the United Kingdom, new towns (designated 1948). It is ...

. The Delamare Road site is currently undergoing redevelopment into a new "Cheshunt Lakeside" residential area with new school and shops to serve the area. In 1983,

opened an out-of-town store named "Brookfield Farm" to the north of Cheshunt. This development later expanded to include a

store, and the entire estate was rebranded as "The Brookfield Centre". Today, Brookfield Centre hosts additional shopping outlets, restaurants, coffee shops and

estate agent An estate agent is a person or business in the United Kingdom that arranges the selling, renting, or managing of real estate, properties and other buildings. An agent that specialises in renting is often called a Letting agent, letting or manag ...

s. The area is also the focus of the "Brookfield Riverside" and "Brookfield Garden Village" regeneration projects. These developments aim to deliver over 1,250 new homes, a new civic centre, retail and leisure space, transport upgrades and thousands of new jobs.

Business parks and employment

Cheshunt is home to a number of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in business parks and industrial estates such as the New River Trading Estate and the Dacre Industrial Estate. These provide warehouse, distribution and light manufacturing facilities, supporting local employment. Major local employers include Lamex Food Group, a leading food trading company, and the Medivet Group, which has veterinary and support offices based in the region.

Industrial and logistics developments

Theobalds Business Park in Cheshunt has become a focal point for industrial and technological growth. A notable development is the MAX50 project by Pigeon, comprising an 86,316 sq ft industrial warehouse and office space. This facility has been pre-let to Stephen James Group, an authorised BMW and MINI automotive retailer, and is designed to high sustainability standards, targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. The project is expected to generate over £4 million in social impact through job creation and environmental initiatives. Adjacent to MAX50, Google is constructing its first UK data centre on a 33-acre site within Theobalds Business Park. This $1 billion investment aims to support the growing demand for AI and cloud services, providing essential compute capacity to businesses across the UK. The facility is committed to sustainability, aiming for 90% carbon-free operations by 2025, and includes provisions for off-site heat recovery to benefit the local community. Theobalds Business Park also hosts the Theobalds Enterprise Centre, a £10 million facility designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. Opened in November 2023, the centre offers flexible office spaces, meeting rooms, and a range of business support services. It has achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating for sustainability and a Platinum WiredScore for digital connectivity.

Hospitality

The Delta Hotels by Marriott Cheshunt offers accommodation and event facilities, contributing to the local hospitality sector. The hotel provides employment opportunities in various roles, including culinary, maintenance, and guest services. In 2022, the property underwent refurbishment and was rebranded under Marriott's Delta Hotels brand, following a multi-million-pound investment by Focus Hotels Management.

Travelodge Travelodge or Travelodge by Wyndham (formerly branded ''TraveLodge'') refers to several hotel chains around the world. Current operations include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and several co ...

Cheshunt, situated at Park Plaza near the A10 and M25 junction, provides budget-friendly accommodation options for travellers. The hotel features an on-site restaurant and bar, free parking, and accessible rooms, catering to both leisure and business guests.

Automotive engineering

In 1959,

Colin Chapman Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman (19 May 1928 – 16 December 1982) was an English design engineer, inventor, and builder in the automotive industry, and founder of the sports car company Lotus Cars. Chapman founded Lotus in 1952 and initia ...

relocated

Lotus Cars Lotus Group (also known as Lotus Cars) is a British multinational automotive manufacturer of luxury sports cars and electric vehicles. Lotus Group is composed of three primary entities. Lotus Cars, a high-performance sports car company, is ba ...

and

Team Lotus Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport categories including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, American Championship Car Racing, Ind ...

from

Hornsey Hornsey () is a district of north London, England, in the London Borough of Haringey. It is an inner-suburban, for the most part residential, area centred north of Charing Cross. It adjoins green spaces Queen's Wood to the west and Alexand ...

to a purpose-built facility on Delamare Road, Cheshunt. During their tenure in Cheshunt, Lotus achieved significant success in motorsport, securing two Formula One Constructors' Championships in 1963 and 1965. The company moved its operations to

Hethel Hethel is a small village in the civil parish of Bracon Ash, in the English county of Norfolk. Hethel is located south-east of the market town of Wymondham, and approximately south of the city of Norwich. History Hethel's name is of Angl ...

, Norfolk, in 1966.

Horticulture and glasshouse industry

Until the late 1960s, Cheshunt was renowned for its nursery industry, particularly for innovations in glasshouse cultivation. Thomas Rochford's enterprise was notably prominent, with extensive glasshouse operations. Although most of these facilities have been redeveloped into residential areas, such as those named Rosedale and Thomas Rochford Way, a small segment of the nursery trade persists west of the town.

Transportation and trade

The

River Lee Navigation The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea (also called the River Lee along the sections that are navigable). It flows from Hertford Castle Weir to the River Thames at Bow Creek; its first lock is Hertford Lock and i ...

, running east of Cheshunt, historically served as a vital transport route for flowers and crops destined for London markets. A wharf was situated just east of the railway, on the current site of the Herts Young Mariners base. The advent of road transport eventually supplanted river-based trade.

Agricultural research

The Cheshunt Research Station developed "Cheshunt Compound," a fungicide comprising copper sulfate and ammonium carbonate, widely used to combat damping-off disease in seedlings. However, the compound was withdrawn from sale in the UK in November 2010 and is no longer legally permitted for use.

Education

Cheshunt is served by a variety of educational institutions, including state-funded primary and secondary schools, as well as faith-based academies. While there are no higher education institutions within the town itself, further and tertiary education is available nearby through regional colleges and university partnerships.

Primary Schools

Cheshunt is served by eleven primary schools, including: * Bonneygrove Primary School, Dark Lane * Brookland Infant and Junior Schools, Elm Drive * Burleigh Primary School, Blindman’s Lane * Churchfield CE Academy, Cheshunt Wash * Dewhurst St Mary CE Primary School, Churchgate – founded in 1640, it is one of the oldest Church of England schools in the Diocese of St Albans * Downfield Primary School, Downfield Road * Fairfields Primary School and Nursery, Rosedale Way * Flamstead End School, Longfield Lane * Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Longlands Close * Millbrook Primary School, Gews Corner * St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Park Lane – a voluntary aided Roman Catholic school * Andrews Lane Primary School, Andrews Lane

Secondary Schools

There are four secondary schools in Cheshunt: *

, Goffs Lane. * Goffs-Churchgate Academy, College Road. *

Haileybury Turnford Haileybury Turnford (formerly Turnford School) is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in Turnford, Hertfordshire, England. Previously a community school administered by Hertfordshire County Council, in September 2015 Turn ...

, Mill Lane – formerly Turnford School, it became an academy in 2015 and is sponsored by Haileybury and Imperial Service College. *

St Mary's Church of England High School St Mary's Church of England High School is a mixed secondary school and sixth form located in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England. It is a Church of England school under the direction of the Diocese of St Albans. St Mary's High School was previou ...

, Lieutenant Ellis Way – originally established in 1958, relocated in 2010, and became an academy in 2012.

Tertiary education

Cheshunt does not have a university or dedicated higher education institution within the town itself. However, residents have access to tertiary education through nearby providers.

Hertford Regional College Hertford Regional College (HRC) is a further education college located over two sites in Hertfordshire, England. History Hertford Regional College (HRC) was formed from the merger of Ware College and East Herts College in 1991. Today, the C ...

, located in neighbouring

Turnford Turnford is a village in the Borough of Broxbourne, in Hertfordshire, England, in an area generally known as the Lee Valley. It is bounded by Wormley to the north, Cheshunt to the south and west, and its eastern boundary is formed largely by ...

, offers a range of further and higher education programmes. These include apprenticeships, vocational training, and university-level courses validated by institutions such as the

University of Hertfordshire The University of Hertfordshire (UH) is a Universities in the United Kingdom, university in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. The university is based largely in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Its antecedent institution, Hatfield ...

and the

University of Greenwich The University of Greenwich is a public university located in London and Kent, United Kingdom. Previous names include Woolwich Polytechnic and Thames Polytechnic. The university's main campus is at the Old Royal Naval College, which along wi ...

Capel Manor College __NOTOC__ Capel Manor College is a special environmental college located in Enfield, Greater London. The College has five campuses across the capital, Crystal Palace Park, Enfield, Gunnersbury Park, Mottingham and Regent's Park. It has a bod ...

, in nearby Enfield, provides land-based and environmental education, including higher education courses in partnership with the Royal Agricultural University. The

in Hatfield, approximately 15 miles from Cheshunt, offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and works in partnership with

through the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium.

Transport

Rail

is served by both

Greater Anglia Greater Anglia (legal name Transport UK East Anglia Limited) is a British train operating company owned as a joint venture by Transport UK Group and Mitsui & Co. It operates the East Anglia franchise, providing the commuter and inter-city se ...

and

services. The station lies on the

and the

Lea Valley lines The Lea Valley lines are a set of suburban rail lines running along the Lea Valley in East London, North London and Hertfordshire to Liverpool Street and Stratford. Historically part of the Great Eastern Railway, the lines now form part of t ...

, offering regular services to

London Liverpool Street Liverpool Street station, also known as London Liverpool Street, is a major central London railway terminus and connected London Underground station in the north-eastern corner of the City of London, in the ward of Bishopsgate Without. It is ...

via

Tottenham Hale Tottenham Hale is a district of north London and part of the London Borough of Haringey, bounded by the River Lea and located to the south/south-east of Tottenham proper. From 1850 to 1965, it was part of the Municipal Borough of Tottenham, in Mi ...

and Seven Sisters, as well as northbound services to

Hertford East Hertford East railway station is the northern terminus of the Hertford East branch line off the West Anglia Main Line in the east of England, and is located in the town of Hertford in Hertfordshire. It is down the line from London Liverpool ...

Bishop's Stortford Bishop's Stortford is a historic market town and civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district, in the county of Hertfordshire, England. It is in the London metropolitan area, London commuter belt, near the border with Essex, just west of the ...

, and

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...

. The station is located in

Travelcard Zone 8 The Travelcard is an inter-modal transit pass, travel ticket for unlimited use on the London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, London Trams, London Buses and National Rail services in the Greater London ar ...

, facilitating convenient travel within the Greater London area. In 2024, the

line serving Cheshunt was officially renamed the ''Weaver line'' as part of a network-wide rebranding initiative. Cheshunt is also proposed to be a stop on the future

Crossrail 2 Crossrail 2 is a suspended proposal for a hybrid commuter rail and rapid transit route in South East England, running from nine stations in Surrey to three in Hertfordshire, providing a new North–South rail link across Greater London. It wou ...

route, a planned north-east to south-west London railway. The project includes upgraded services and accessibility improvements at the station.

Road

Cheshunt is strategically positioned along the A10, also known locally as the Great Cambridge Road, which connects the town to Junction 25 of the

, Central London,

Hertford Hertford ( ) is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. The parish had a population of 26,783 at the 2011 census. The town grew around a Ford (crossing), ford on ...

, and

. The A10 serves as a vital north-south corridor through Hertfordshire, facilitating efficient road access for commuters and travelers.

Bus

Cheshunt is served by a variety of commercial and

-supported bus services. Routes connect the town to

Hoddesdon Hoddesdon () is a town in the Borough of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, lying entirely within the London Metropolitan Area and Greater London Urban Area. The area is on the River Lea and the Lee Navigation along with the New River. Hoddesdon ...

Broxbourne Broxbourne is a town in the Borough of Broxbourne in Hertfordshire, England, with a population of 15,303 at the 2011 Census.Broxbourne Town population 2011 It is located to the south of Hoddesdon and to the north of Cheshunt, north of London. ...

Harlow Harlow is a town and local government district located in the west of Essex, England. Founded as a Planned community, new town in 1947, it is situated on the border with Hertfordshire, and occupies a large area of land on the south bank of the ...

Potters Bar Potters Bar is a town in Hertfordshire, England,in the historic County of Middlesex Hertsmere Borough Council – Community Strategy First Review (PDF) north of central London. In 2011, it had a population of 21,882.Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey is a suburban town and civil parish in the Epping Forest District of Essex, within the London metropolitan area, metropolitan and urban area of London, England, East London, north-east of Charing Cross. It lies on the Greenwich ...

. Operators include

Arriva Shires & Essex Arriva Herts & Essex is a bus operator providing services in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, with services extending to Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Greater London. Until 2002 its operations included Arriva Colchester, Col ...

Centrebus Centrebus Limited, trading as Centrebus, is a bus company based in Leicester operating services in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. Centrebus hold a 51% shareholding in High Peak Buses a ...

Metroline Metroline is a bus operator operating primarily in Greater London and partially in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. It is a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro and operates bus services for London Buses under contract to Transport for Lon ...

Sullivan Buses Sullivan Bus & Coach Limited, trading as Sullivan Buses, is a bus company based in North Mymms, Hertfordshire, England. Founded in 1998, it operates local bus services in and around Hertfordshire including school services, rail replacement bus ...

, and Vectare.

Cycling

National Cycle Route 1 The cycle-path is located in the United Kingdom. Route Dover to Canterbury Dover , Deal, Kent, Deal , Sandwich, Kent, Sandwich , Canterbury Links with National Cycle Route 2, RCR 16, Kent, Regional route 16, and RCR 17, Kent, Regional r ...

passes through Cheshunt, forming part of a larger network from

Dover Dover ( ) is a town and major ferry port in Kent, southeast England. It faces France across the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel at from Cap Gris Nez in France. It lies southeast of Canterbury and east of Maidstone. ...

to the

Shetland Islands Shetland (until 1975 spelled Zetland), also called the Shetland Islands, is an archipelago in Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the Uni ...

. The Lee Valley Country Park provides scenic and practical cycling and walking routes along the

, linking Cheshunt with

Ware WARE (1250 AM) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Ware, Massachusetts, United States, the station serves the Springfield radio market. The station is currently owned by Success Signal Broadcasting ...

Waltham Abbey Waltham Abbey is a suburban town and civil parish in the Epping Forest District of Essex, within the London metropolitan area, metropolitan and urban area of London, England, East London, north-east of Charing Cross. It lies on the Greenwich ...

Tottenham Tottenham (, , , ) is a district in north London, England, within the London Borough of Haringey. It is located in the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Greater London. Tottenham is centred north-northeast of Charing Cross, ...

, and Stratford. As part of the

Connect2 Connect2 was a five-year project run by Sustrans beginning in 2006 to develop new walking and cycle routes in 79 communities around the UK. Project Connect2 was a five-year project run by Sustrans. It involves the creation of new cycle and w ...

project funded by the

Big Lottery Fund The National Lottery Community Fund, legally named the Big Lottery Fund, is a non-departmental public body responsible for distributing funds raised by the National Lottery for " good causes". It is the largest community funder in the UK and ...

, the Paul Cully Bridge was constructed in 2010 to provide a safe cycle and pedestrian route over the A10. This bridge links Theobalds Lane with Lieutenant Ellis Way and enhances the cycling infrastructure in the area.

Sport

Football

Cheshunt is home to Cheshunt F.C., a semi-professional football club founded in 1946. The team competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division and plays at Theobalds Lane Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 3,500 spectators. Notably, former professional footballer

Iain Dowie Iain Dowie (born 9 January 1965) is a football manager, former professional footballer and sports television pundit. He played as a striker from 1983 until 2001, notably in the Premier League for Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham Unit ...

played for the club during the 1980s.

F.C. Romania Football Club Romania is a football club based in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England. The club are members of the and groundshare at Cheshunt's Theobalds Lane. History The club was established in August 2006 by Ionuţ Vintilă, an immigrant fro ...

, established in 2006 by Romanian immigrants, also shares Theobalds Lane Stadium. The club competes in the

Spartan South Midlands League The Spartan South Midlands Football League is an English football league covering Hertfordshire, northwest Greater London, central Buckinghamshire and southern Bedfordshire. It is a feeder to the Southern Football League or the Isthmian League, ...

Premier Division and has been part of the Cheshunt football scene since 2012. Historically,

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Tottenham (, , , ) or Spurs, is a professional Association football, football club based in Tottenham, North London, England. The club itself has stated that it should always ...

used a training ground in Cheshunt from 1952 until 1996. The 11-acre site was initially purchased from Cheshunt F.C. and served as the club's primary training facility before relocating to Chigwell.

Rugby Union

Cheshunt Rugby Football Club operates from Rosedale Sports Club on Andrew Lane. The club fields multiple teams, including men's, women's, and youth squads. The men's first team competes in Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex, while the women's team participates in National Challenge 2 South East (North East).

Cricket

Cheshunt Rosedale Cricket Club was formed in 2018 through the merger of Cheshunt Cricket Club and Waltham Cross Rosedale CC. The club offers cricket opportunities for various age groups and skill levels, with facilities located at Rosedale Sports Club.

Golf

Cheshunt Park Golf Centre features an 18-hole, par-71 parkland course designed by Donald Hawtree in 1971. Spanning 6,635 yards, the course includes a 9-bay driving range, putting green, and chipping area. The facility is open to both members and visitors and offers a clubhouse with a bar and restaurant.

Water sports

The Herts Young Mariners Base (HYMB) is an outdoor activity centre located off Windmill Lane in Cheshunt, within the

. The site offers a range of water-based and adventure activities, including kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, open water swimming, sailing, and raft building. In addition to aquatic training, the base also provides land-based programmes such as climbing, archery, and orienteering. The base is operated by

and is widely used by local schools, scouts, youth organisations, and adult groups for educational and team-building programmes. The facility includes a lakeside wharf, equipment stores, changing rooms, and classrooms, and occupies the site of a former open-air swimming pool.

Leisure facilities

The Laura Trott Leisure Centre, named after the Olympic gold medallist, offers a range of amenities, including a gym, swimming pool, exercise classes, sauna, and steam rooms. The centre also provides facilities for racket sports and hosts various community events. Cheshunt Community Sports Park serves as a hub for local sports and recreation. The facility includes a gym, personal training services, sports therapy, football pitches, indoor and outdoor bowls courts, squash courts, and function rooms. It caters to a wide range of activities and community events.

Media

Cheshunt falls within the

BBC London BBC London is the BBC English Region producing local radio, television, teletext and online services in London, Surrey and parts of the surrounding areas of the Home Counties. Its output includes the daily '' BBC London'' news bulletin and w ...

and

ITV London ITV London is the on-air brand name used by ''ITV Broadcasting Limited'' for two broadcast franchises of ITV, Carlton Television (weekdays) and London Weekend Television (weekends) in the London ITV region. Its terrestrial digital signal is ...

television regions. Broadcast television signals in the area are transmitted from the

Crystal Palace transmitting station The Crystal Palace transmitting station, officially known as Arqiva Crystal Palace, is a broadcasting and telecommunications site in the Crystal Palace, London, Crystal Palace area of the London Borough of Bromley, England (). It is located on ...

, which provides digital terrestrial (Freeview) coverage. Local radio services include

BBC Three Counties Radio BBC Three Counties Radio is the BBC's local radio station serving the counties of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It broadcasts on FM, DAB, digital TV and via BBC Sounds from studios at Grove Park in Dunstable. According ...

, which covers

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire ( or ; often abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and one of the home counties. It borders Bedfordshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Essex to the east, Greater London to the ...

Bedfordshire Bedfordshire (; abbreviated ''Beds'') is a Ceremonial County, ceremonial county in the East of England. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Hertfordshire to the south and the south-east, and Buckin ...

, and

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (, abbreviated ''Bucks'') is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east, Hertfordshir ...

, and

Heart Hertfordshire Heart Hertfordshire (previously known as ''Hertfordshire's Mercury 96.6'') is an Independent Local Radio station owned by Communicorp UK and operated by Global as part of the Heart network. It broadcasts across Hertfordshire. In 2005, it was ...

, a commercial station offering music and local news programming. The town is served by the ''Cheshunt & Waltham Mercury'', a weekly print and digital newspaper published by the ''

Hertfordshire Mercury The ''Hertfordshire Mercury'' is a weekly newspaper covering east and north Hertfordshire and parts of west Essex. It used to be published every Friday but from December 3, 2009, its publication day switched to Thursdays. The ''Mercury'' has fou ...

'', providing coverage of local news, sport, and community events. Residents also access regional news and events through digital platforms such as the ''HertsLive'' website, which covers breaking news, planning developments, and cultural features across the Broxbourne borough and surrounding areas.

Notable people

16th century

– Stayed in Cheshunt during her youth. *

Cardinal Wolsey Thomas Wolsey ( ; – 29 November 1530) was an English statesman and Catholic cardinal. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the king's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered and by 1514 he had become the controlling f ...

– Granted land in Cheshunt by King Henry VIII; the remains of his manor, Cheshunt Great House, are located at Goffs Lane.

17th century

Richard Cromwell Richard Cromwell (4 October 162612 July 1712) was an English statesman who served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1658 to 1659. He was the son of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Following his father ...

– From the 1690s until his death in 1712, Richard Cromwell lived in Cheshunt, where he died. *

King James I James I may refer to: People *James I of Aragon (1208–1276) * James I of Sicily or James II of Aragon (1267–1327) * James I, Count of La Marche (1319–1362), Count of Ponthieu * James I, Count of Urgell (1321–1347) *James I of Cyprus (1334� ...

– Died at Theobalds Palace in Cheshunt in 1625.

20th century

– Singer and fashion designer; attended St Mary's High School in Cheshunt during the 1980s. *

David Bentley David Michael Bentley (born 27 August 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played primarily as a winger, but also played as a central midfielder or as a second striker. Bentley started his career with Arsenal in the Premier ...

– Footballer with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur; grew up in Cheshunt during the 1990s. * Phillip Cottrell – BBC journalist who grew up in Cheshunt and attended Cheshunt School. *

Eric Christiansen Eric Christiansen (15 September 1937 – 31 October 2016) was a medieval historian and fellow emeritus of New College, Oxford University. Christiansen was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and was educated at Charterhouse School after which he s ...

(1937–2016) – A medieval historian and fellow emeritus of New College, Oxford. Born in Cheshunt. *

John Dalton John Dalton (; 5 or 6 September 1766 – 27 July 1844) was an English chemist, physicist and meteorologist. He introduced the atomic theory into chemistry. He also researched Color blindness, colour blindness; as a result, the umbrella term ...

– Bass guitarist for The Kinks; attended Cheshunt Secondary Modern School. * Lord Dobbs – Writer and politician; known for the "House of Cards" series. * Greg Lincoln – Former professional footballer and current coach; born in Cheshunt in 1980.
Lieutenant John D.Ellis
– On 12 August 1944, he diverted a B-24 Liberator bomber to avoid the town, he was commemorated in the naming of Lieutenant Ellis Way. * Ralph Creed Meredith – Chaplain to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Lead the Parish of Cheshunt in 1932 *

Linda Lusardi Linda Frances Elide Lusardi (born 18 September 1958) is an English actress, television presenter and former glamour model. Early life Lusardi was born in Wood Green, London, to Lilian (née Glassman; 1932–2023) and Nello Lusardi (1930–201 ...

– Former glamour model and actress; longtime Cheshunt resident. * Andy Parker – Drummer and founding member of the rock band UFO; born in Cheshunt in 1952. *

– Singer, musician, and actor; lived in Cheshunt in the 1940s/50s.

21st century

Zai Bennett Zai Bennett (born 1974) is a television executive. He is the Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland,Michael Birch – Tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Bebo. *

Ryan Mason Ryan Glen Mason (born 13 June 1991) is an English professional Association football, football coach and former player who is the head coach of EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion. A midfielder, Mason progressed through the youth ranks ...

– Footballer and interim Tottenham Hotspur manager; attended Cheshunt School. *

Declan McKenna Declan Benedict McKenna (born 24 December 1998) is an English singer-songwriter. He initially gained recognition for winning the Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition in 2015. McKenna self-released the song "Brazil (Declan McKenna s ...

– Indie rock musician who rose to fame in the 2010s. *

Rebecca Morelle Rebecca Sabrina Morelle is a British science journalist, former BBC News global science correspondent and currently BBC News Science Editor. Early life She attended Goffs School (now Goffs Academy) in Cheshunt in Borough of Broxbourne, south-eas ...

– BBC Science Editor; attended Goffs School in Cheshunt. *

Billy Joe Saunders Billy Joe Saunders (born 30 August 1989) is a British professional boxer. He is the first fighter from the Romanichal, Travelling community to win world championships in two weight class (boxing), weight classes, including the WBO middleweight ...

– Professional boxer, active from the 2010s. * Emma Trott – Retired professional cyclist; born in Cheshunt in 1989. She rode for the Dutch women's professional team Dolmans-Boels from the 2012 to the 2014 season. * Laura Trott (now Laura Kenny) – Six-time Olympic medal-winning cyclist (2012–2020); grew up in Cheshunt.
Emma Witter
– Artist known for sculpting delicate floral forms from discarded materials, especially animal bones.

Town twinning

Cheshunt is twinned with

Stains A stain is an unwanted localized discoloration, often in fabrics or textiles. Stain(s) or The Stain(s) may also refer to: Color * Stain (heraldry), a non-standard tincture * Staining, in biology, a technique used to highlight contrast in samples ...

in the

Île-de-France The Île-de-France (; ; ) is the most populous of the eighteen regions of France, with an official estimated population of 12,271,794 residents on 1 January 2023. Centered on the capital Paris, it is located in the north-central part of the cou ...

region of northern France, just north of Paris. The partnership was established to foster cultural understanding and community links between the two towns. Over the years, the twinning has supported student exchanges, civic visits, and joint cultural projects.

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Cheshunt History
{{Authority control Towns in Hertfordshire Unparished areas in Hertfordshire Borough of Broxbourne Aviation accidents and incidents locations in England

Toponymy

History

Prehistoric and Roman period

Anglo-Saxon and mediaeval periods

Tudor period

17th and 18th centuries

19th century and industrialisation

20th century

Greenhouse Industry

War Commemoration

Economic and Urban Development

21st century

Geography

Location and topography

Hydrology and natural features

Urban layout and land use

Climate

Demographics

Ethnic composition

Religious affiliation

Population growth

Governance

Administrative history

Economy and Industry

Retail and corporate presence

Business parks and employment

Industrial and logistics developments

Hospitality

Automotive engineering

Horticulture and glasshouse industry

Transportation and trade

Agricultural research

Education

Primary Schools

Secondary Schools

Tertiary education

Transport

Rail

Road

Bus

Cycling

Sport

Football

Rugby Union

Cricket

Golf

Water sports

Leisure facilities

Media

Notable people

16th century

17th century

20th century

21st century

Town twinning

See also

References

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