Batford is a village in Hertfordshire, England, located on the River Lea on the outskirts of Harpenden. Batford Springs is a local nature reserve alongside the river and the village green, which has a small play area for children. The large red brick building at the southern end of the village between the river and the Lower Luton Road was originally a water mill. It is now used as offices, and the river has been diverted around the building. Batford Methodist Church built in 1905 and shows the distinctive "modern" architecture of that time.

Batford
Batford is located in Hertfordshire
Batford
Batford
Location within Hertfordshire
OS grid referenceTL146156
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townHarpenden
Postcode districtAL5
PoliceHertfordshire
FireHertfordshire
AmbulanceEast of England
List of places
UK
England
Hertfordshire
51°49′N 0°20′W / 51.82°N 00.34°W / 51.82; -00.34

During World War II a large prisoner of war camp was located in Batford, adjoining what is now Common Lane, and prisoners were present there until about 1947.[1] When they had gone, the camp buildings were used to house local people who were waiting for housing, which was in short supply at the time. Within a few years, a large housing estate was built on the site of the POW camp by the local authority.

Batford has a Tesco Express/filling station, a Co-op supermarket, a fish and chip shop, two pubs, an Indian takeaway, and various other shops and small factory units.

It is in the civil parish of Harpenden.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "No 95 Batford Prisoner of War Camp" Herts Memories. Retrieved 2018-08-27.