Facts and places of interest in Henlow

Interesting Facts about Henlow

Two Henlow families were amongst the passengers on the Mayflower in 1620.

Places of Interest in Henlow

RAF Henlow

In modern times the village has become best known for RAF Henlow, first established in 1918 for the then new Royal Flying Corps. It later housed the School of Aeronautical Engineering and Parachute Testing Unit. Later RAF Henlow became an RAF Officer Cadet Training Unit. Today RAF Henlow is the home to the Directorate of Engineering Interoperability and in addition it houses the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG), HQ Specialist Police Wing, including the newly-formed Tactical Provost Wing, the RAF Centre for Aviation Medicine (CAM) and No 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. A civilian air strip and flying school also operate from the site.

Facilities include a fully fitted gym and swimming pool, small bowling alley and a 9 hole golf course, open to the public.

Henlow Grange - Champneys

In 1961, after spending several years uninhabited, Henlow Grange was acquired by Leida Costigan who transformed the near derelict house into Champneys - the first Beauty Farm in the United Kingdom.

Henlow Grange is a gracious Georgian mansion, set within100 acres of beautiful countryside.

Henlow Greyhound Race Track

Greyhound racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Church of St Mary the Virgin

The very attractive church of St Mary the Virgin stands in the heart of the village, its tower being visible from all approaches.

The church is situated on a rise above the Pit with the old village pump in the foreground and a horse trough which was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows

The moat was associated with the ancient Manor of Arlesey bury and is set alongside the river Ivel.

Glebe Meadows have an abundance of wild flowers and are managed by Arlesey Town Council, the Ivel and Ouse Countryside Project and Arlesey conservation for Nature.

Stondon Transport Museum

The Stondon Transport Museum displays over 350 items from the history of transport; most of the exhibits originate from the largest private collection in the country.