Welcome to Markyate Parish Council’s web site. We have aimed to make this site inform you of the up to date decisions made by the Parish Council, to provide core meetings together with the verified minutes of each meeting.
We want you to make the most of our web site. Please enjoy your visit and let us make this site even better.
Markyate is located just North of junction 9 on the M1, on the A5 in between St. Albans and Kensworth.
The Parish Council offices are located in the pretty site off Cavendish Road adjacent to the recreation.
Markyate's History
Markyate is situated on the A5, the old Roman Road, north of junction 9 on the M1. The population of Markyate is approximately 3,000
In medieval times a community of Benedictine nuns was established in Markyate by Christina. On the ruins of the original priory a manor house, Markyate Cell was built. Many additions have been made over the centuries to the house but parts of the original Tudor building are intact. Markyate’s Parish Church, St John the Baptist, stands on a corner of the grounds of Markyate Cell.
One of the most notorious residents of the Cell was ‘The Wicked lady’ known as Lady Kathleen Ferrars. According to legend she was in an unhappy marriage and repressed by a bullying and overbearing husband. She rebelled by dressing as a man and using a secret stairway to escape to farm stables from where she ventured out at night to become a highway robber. Rumour has it she can still be seen riding across the fields.
Markyate houses many business, the High Street has a bank, Post Office, Bakers, Newsagents, Happy Shopper and many restaurants.
For the young people there are brownies, beavers and scouts. There is a Football and Cricket Club.
For the young at heart there is the Good Companions 60-plus, All Age Choir, Methodist Sisterhood, bowls, over 50 fitness club, Markyate Health Walkers and Local History Society.
Today Markyate enjoys a real community spirit where you will always receive a warm welcome.
The population of Markyate is approximately 3000.