If Church Green, Leyton Green and the High Street greens with their magnificent horse chestnut trees and limes give their own particular character to "the village", it is the glorious Harpenden Common, reaching down into the very edge of the shopping centre and stretching away up the hill to the south for more than a mile that makes Harpenden unique. Sporting activities, including golf, football and cricket are allowed to prosper in defined areas, and fairs, including the annual "Statty" fair, are held regularly on that part of the Common nearest the town. On the more southerly part of the Common where the Harpenden Common Golf Club flourishes, remains of the pre-1914 Harpenden Race Course can still be seen.

Lydekker Park

HarpendenVillage.com is a full resource on the town of Harpenden in Hertfordshire. It was the home for many years of the Lydekkers, one of Harpenden's oldest families. Hilda was the last surviving member, she lived to be 101 and it was her wish that, upon her death, the gardens were to be left to the people of Harpenden. The park was to be a lasting memorial to her two brothers and fiance who died in the first world war.

Set in 2.5 acres, the park was opened in 1998 and contains a mixture of shrub beds, formal seating, mature trees and a large pond. With the emphasis on wildlife and nature conservation, there is also a wild flower meadow and the pond is home to several families of ducks. In the spring, ducklings complete the picture in this tranquil haven which is easily accessible from the town centre through the Sun Lane car park.