It was formed from the bulk of the abolished constituency of Hitchin.

Remaining parts, including Letchworth, Baldock and Royston, formed the majority of the new constituency of North East Hertfordshire.

It was a safe Conservative seat for its entire existence.

Its first MP, Ian Stewart, previously held the old marginal seat of Hitchin, and its second and last, Oliver Heald, represented North East Hertfordshire until he stood down at the 2024 General Election.

The three main towns in the constituency were Hitchin, Letchworth, and Royston.