Brookmans Park | |
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Village green and shops |
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Brookmans Park shown within Hertfordshire | |
Population | 3,475 (2001) |
OS grid reference | TL242041 |
Civil parish | |
District | |
Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | HATFIELD |
Postcode district | AL9 |
Dialling code | 01707 |
Police | Hertfordshire |
Fire | Hertfordshire |
Ambulance | East of England |
EU Parliament | East of England |
UK Parliament | |
Brookmans Park is a village located in the civil parish of North Mymms, in Hertfordshire, southeast England. It is well known for its local history, including an ancient historic estate that used to exist within its boundaries, its BBC transmitter station, and local amenities. The village website, The Brookmans Park Newsletter has more than 20 complete history books (and 40 in-depth features), as well as a half-hour video about the history of the area. Brookmans Park railway station is on the East Coast Main Line, operated by Great Northern. It is also a waypoint used in air navigation, particularly in terminal departure and arrival procedures at London's Heathrow Airport. At the 2011 Census the population was included in the Welwyn/Hatfield ward of Brookmans Park and Little Heath.
The Gaussen family arrived in 1786 and created the estate that led to the development of the village of Brookmans Park. John Somers, The Lord Chancellor, spent the last years of his life in the village. North Mymms commons became enclosed as organised farming developed.
Robert Gaussen took over at Brookmans Manor. There was a depression in agriculture after Waterloo. The estate expanded and labouring jobs were created. The expansion of the railways threatened to run through Gaussen's land.
Agriculture prices fell as did rents. Scottish farmers came south to take over farms. Brookmans Manor was burned down while the family cruised off the coast of the Netherlands. The Great Northern Railway pushed through the estate. Parts of the estate were sold off to cut costs.
The developers moved in. A railway station was built and with it shops and homes. The BBC set up its transmitter station at Bell Bar.
The war years resulted in many being evacuated to Brookmans Park from London, but the surrounding area was also hit. Brookmans School was built as the village grew.