California

Settlement in Hertfordshire

England

California

The Dunstable Downs Windcatcher This is a ventilator for the Visitor Centre — The Dunstable Downs Windcatcher Credit: Bob Walters

California is a small village located in the county of Hertfordshire, England. Situated approximately 30 miles north of London, it falls within the district of Broxbourne. With a population of around 3,000 residents, California maintains a close-knit community atmosphere.

The village is surrounded by picturesque countryside, offering residents and visitors a peaceful and idyllic setting. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, green fields, and charming woodlands, making it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts and outdoor activities.

Despite its name, California is a far cry from the sunny beaches of the American state. It is primarily a residential area, consisting of a mix of traditional and modern houses. The village also boasts a range of local amenities, including a primary school, a village hall, and a handful of local shops and businesses.

California benefits from excellent transportation links, making it an attractive place for commuters. The nearby towns of Broxbourne and Cheshunt offer access to mainline train services, providing easy connections to London and other major cities. The village is also conveniently located near the A10 road, facilitating smooth travel by car.

In terms of recreational activities, residents can enjoy various options nearby. The Lee Valley Regional Park, a vast green space encompassing rivers, lakes, and forests, is just a short distance away. This offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, boating, and wildlife watching.

Overall, California, Hertfordshire provides a peaceful and countryside lifestyle within easy reach of urban amenities, making it an appealing place to live.

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California Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.879762/-0.53135956 or Grid Reference TL0121. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The Dunstable Downs Windcatcher

This is a ventilator for the Visitor Centre

Bob Walters

Dunstable Downs car park

Colin Pyle

Car park on the Dunstable Downs in summer

Yes, we did have an ice cream.

Jeremy Bolwell

Part of the Dunstable Downs in the summer of 2022

Glorious.

Jeremy Bolwell

Scene on the Dunstable Downs in summer 2022

This elegant and independent woman has settled herself into a most comfortable and commodious looking chair and is drinking in the exceptional views laid out in front of her. My type of person! No boring sea view. No sitting in her back garden and looking at the Downs. She has picked up her mat and walked. She knows that she needs the scale of a JMW Turner or Constable painting and subject matter to match. She is aloof but also very much central to the scene. I envied her her vision, insight and depth of thought. More of this please!

Jeremy Bolwell

On the Icknield Way Trail, Dunstable Downs - view to Beacon Hill

Colin Park

Isle of Wight Lane

Presumably named after Isle of Wight Farm - rather short of a full explanation!

Robin Webster

View from Dunstable Downs

Dunstable Downs Airfield is below, much used by gliders.

Robin Webster

Kite flying on Dunstable Downs

Looking north. Although they are not easy to see on the photograph, the sky was full of kites.

Cathy Cox

Kensworth chalk quarry

Actually, this spreads across four squares. This is the area used for processing I think.

Robin Hall

Dunstable Downs Gliding Club

A view of the airfield from the downs. Gliders and tug aircraft await their turn next to the yellow control caravan. The gliding club buildings and parking area are visible beyond, in the next square. The downs continue north along the right hand side of the picture towards Pascomb Pit and Five Knolls, (the promontory on the horizon). The chalky nature of the soil is evident in the ploughed field behind the gliding club buildings.

Martin Addison

Trig point on Dunstable Downs

Highest point in Bedfordshire

Bill Griffiths

Bloke flying a kite or Kite Flying a bloke

This was a loon who, with a number of kites tied together, used the kites to lift him off the ground. At this stage he is about 10m off the ground. He is tied to the ground. Taken at the Dunstable kite festival on the downs

Dennis simpson

Dunstable Downs

A young girl acting as a wing-runner assisting with the launch of a glider at the London Gliding Club, with the 'Bowl' and Dunstable Downs in the background.

M J Richardson