Now a suburb of the urbane locale of Hemel Hempstead, Apsley was historically a village in Hertfordshire, nestled in a valley on the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The name dates from the Anglo-Saxon period, although its history is largely associated with the rise of industrialism from the 18th century onwards. Today, Apsley’s suburban housing stock is characterised by flats and terraced houses, often situated canalside, at an average price of £400,000! The Apsley Marina is also situated here, and boasts a thriving boating community also.

Apsley’s history is tied to industry, and in particular, paper-making! The Apsley Mill was first recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book, and evidence suggests it functioned as a mill 100 years prior to this recording. However, it’s heyday blossomed in the 18th century. In 1778, the Apsley Mill first began producing industrial quantities of paper. The construction of the Grand Union Canal in 1798, a canal flowing between London and the Midlands which flows through the valley near Apsley, enabled manufacturers to transport large-quanities of raw materials throughout England, and helped the industrial rise of Apsley. The Mill was bought by John Dickinson in 1809, and in 1888 had ceased to make its own paper, but constructed stationery such as envelopes. By 1933 the mill was producing 100 million envelopes a week, and by 1937 had over 5,000 employees!

Due to its industrial history, Apsley has continued to thrive as an outer suburb of Hemel Hempstead, with many Victorian buildings still in use today! In the Dacorum Council’s local plan designated for 2024-2040, the council is aiming to re-vitalise the Apsley Mills area, with the construction of 450 new home in the area, and an extra 500 new homes, as well as hotel and office space designated for the Riverside locale!