Shenley is a Great Day out from London, Shenley, England (B)

Shenley Village is just 16 miles from the centre of London. This traditional Hertfordshire village, deep in the English countryside, has an old orchard, a walled garden and a famous cricket ground.

The Saxon name for Shenley was ‘Scheonley’. It means a fair clearing in the forest. Today, much of the forest has given way to agricultural land but this is still an appropriate description. The village is surrounded by woods featuring some easy walks. These include the Watling Chase Timberland Trail. The wooded areas were once part of a large estate belonging to Shenley Hall also known as the Mansion.

Shenley Hall was at the heart of a large estate known as Porters or Porters Park. This manor dates back to 1291. It is thought the name derives from the name of one of its many owners, John le Porter. Over the centuries the manor was extended until it covered a large around the old village of Shenley. One of its owners built Radlett Lane, which went through the estate and linked Shenley to Watling Street in Radlett. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).