Magic Roundabout (Hemel Hempstead)

The official name relates to a former public house, called The Plough Inn, which was between the junction of what is now Selden Hill and St Albans Road.

Before Hemel Hempstead became a new town the roads met in a simple junction which was then replaced by a standard roundabout.

[1] In 2011, the roundabout was voted the best in Britain by motorists in a competition organised by a car leasing service.

The original magic roundabout had six exits in total, with the BP building spanning "Marlowes", the road leading to the town centre, in the approximate position of the earlier railway viaduct.

The BP building was found to be unstable due to defective reinforced concrete and the exit had to be closed.

The Magic Roundabout as photographed in 1973.
Magic Roundabout, looking south with mini roundabouts 1 (nearest), 2 and 3 in view. The grassy bank at the centre of the picture is part of the central hub roundabout. Taken from part of the 'Riverside' development.
Line drawing of the roundabout in its first configuration. The road labelled '2' is the dual-carriageway St Albans Road and provides the main access to Hemel from the M1 motorway .