Dacorum

Dacorum is a local government district and borough in Hertfordshire, encompassing the historic towns of Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, and Tring along with numerous villages within an area of attractive Chilterns countryside and the Bulbourne and Gade valleys. This western Hertfordshire district features the Grand Union Canal, the Chiltern Hills AONB, and a mix of historic market towns and postwar development. The climate is typical of southeast England with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and warmer, drier conditions than UK average, with the Chilterns creating local variations. Culturally, Dacorum maintains strong identity with Hemel Hempstead's New Town heritage (designated 1947, with its distinctive postwar planning, the Water Gardens, and the Old Town's historic character), Berkhamsted's magnificent Norman castle (birthplace of William the Conqueror's brother, with its extensive remains) and its historic high street, and Tring's natural history connections (Walter Rothschild's museum, now part of the Natural History Museum, with its famous collection of stuffed animals). The area preserves important heritage including Ashridge Estate (National Trust, with its magnificent house, monument, and extensive woodlands), the Grand Union Canal corridor with its locks and canal-side pubs, and the remains of Berkhamsted Castle. The Chilterns AONB offers spectacular walking including the Ridgeway and Icknield Way while the canal provides boating and towpath walks. The villages of the Chilterns feature traditional brick and flint cottages while the New Town's postwar architecture is increasingly recognised for its heritage value. Boundary GIS data for Dacorum Borough Council is available for download in GeoJSON and KML formats, essential for managing this diverse district, preserving New Town heritage in Hemel Hempstead, protecting Berkhamsted Castle and Ashridge Estate, and managing the Chilterns AONB.