Flamstead stands on a ridge above the River Ver, which runs on its north side; to the south the village extends downhill to the adjoining hamlet of Trowley Bottom.

St Leonard's (Church of England) is believed to stand on the site of a ninth-century Saxon chapel, though the oldest parts of the present structure date from around 1140.

Other notable buildings in Flamstead include the almshouses in the High Street, built in 1669; the Three Blackbirds pub opposite (one of three in the village), partly dating from the sixteenth century; and several attractive cottages of similar age.

Beechwood Park gave its name to a song by the Zombies, written by the group's bassist Chris White, who grew up in Markyate.

In 2008 Channel 4's Time Team discovered a previously unknown major Roman temple complex, near Watling Street at nearby Friar's Wash which was likely associated with Verulamium (St.

Since 2014 the village has held a literary festival, 'Books in the Belfry', attracting best-selling authors including Tony Parsons, Sophie Hannah, Jane Hawking, Jonathan Stroud, Alex Scarrow, Clare Mulley, Ian Ridley and Michael Calvin.