Tonwell has a population of about 300 persons, being included at the 2011 Census in the civil parish of Bengeo Rural.

Near the village are Paynes Hall (south of the village by half a mile, where the A602 crosses the River Rib); Bengeo Temple farm; and the parkland at Sacombe (listed in the landscape character assessment as a rare and significant example of Victorian parkland.

[2]) Tonwell has close ties to the neighbouring hamlet of Chapmore End; the only other settlement in the parish.

The nearest food stores or post office are situated in Hertford, Watton-at-Stone or Ware, some two to three miles away.

There are footpaths from the village but in view of the distance, residents generally have to use their own cars, a taxi or the very infrequent 384 bus service.