Situated east of the Chilterns AONB, it lies 30 miles north of London.

The manor of Charlton is mentioned in the Domesday Book as belonging to Ilbert of Hitchin.

The manor subsequently came to Edward Pulter, who sold it in 1582 to Ralph Radcliffe from which time it was part of the property of Hitchin Priory.

[1] Charlton House is a Grade II listed building and the birthplace of inventor Henry Bessemer in 1813.

The water-mill was therefore converted to a foundry during the occupancy of the Bessemer family and back to a mill again afterwards.