Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

The Penny Farthing

3.0 star property
Hotel in Berkhamsted with a 24-hour front desk

Choose dates to view prices

The Penny Farthing sits just steps from a train station, offering travelers free WiFi throughout public areas. Guests appreciate access to a nearby health club, while practical services like laundry and luggage storage make travel logistics easier for those on the move.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Economy Double Room

Economy Double Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets

Economy Double Room

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Electric kettle
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • 5 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Economy Twin Room

Economy Twin Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets

Economy Twin Room

7.8 out of 10
Good
(6 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Electric kettle
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • 5 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Comfort Double Room

Desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets

Comfort Double Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(8 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Electric kettle
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room | Desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets

Family Room

Highlights

Heating
Flat-screen TV
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Electric kettle
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

About the neighborhood

Map
296-298 High Street, Berkhamsted, England, HP4 1AH

What's nearby

  • Rex Cinema - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • The Snow Centre - 10 min drive - 6.8 miles
  • Ashridge Estate - 13 min drive - 4.3 miles
  • Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - 14 min drive - 11.8 miles
  • ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - 31 min drive - 18.1 miles

Getting around

  • Berkhamsted Station - 8 min walk
  • Chesham Underground Station - 9 min drive
  • Luton Airport (LTN) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Crown - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Fred and Ginger Coffee - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Mad Squirrel Tap Berkhamsted - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Berkhamsted Fish Bar - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪The Olive Tree - ‬1 min walk

About this property

The Penny Farthing

Hotel near a train station
The Penny Farthing provides everything you need. Guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.
Additional perks include:
  • Self parking (surcharge), access to a nearby health club, and a 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage, smoke-free premises, and laundry services
Room features
All guestrooms at The Penny Farthing have comforts such as desk chairs and WiFi.
Extra amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with tubs or showers and free toiletries
  • Flat-screen TVs with cable channels
  • Electric kettles, heating, and desks

Similar properties

Daily buffet breakfast (GBP 12.95 per person)

The Watermill Hotel, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Breakfast available
  • Business services
7.0 out of 10, Good, 342 reviews
The Watermill Hotel, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi (GBP 4 per night)
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Self parking on site (GBP 4 per night)
  • Limited onsite parking

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Accessibility

  • No elevator
  • Thin carpet in room

More

  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1989
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle

More

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 2:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: GBP 20.00
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: GBP 15.00

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 12:30 AM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 20 per accommodation (varies based on length of stay)
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
Specific rooms only, restrictions apply; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 3 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 20.0 per night

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for in-room wireless internet: GBP 4 per night (rates may vary)
  • Self parking fee: GBP 4 per night
  • Pet fee: GBP 20 per accommodation (varies based on length of stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: GBP 20.00 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: GBP 15.00 (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: GBP 20.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a smoke detector

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
Alcohol is not served at this property

Property is also known as

Pennyfarthing Berkhamsted
Pennyfarthing Hotel Berkhamsted
Pennyfarthing Hotel
The Pennyfarthing Hotel
The Penny Farthing Hotel
The Penny Farthing Berkhamsted
The Penny Farthing Hotel Berkhamsted

Frequently asked questions

Is The Penny Farthing pet-friendly?

Yes, cats and dogs are allowed at this property. There's a fee of GBP 20 per accommodation, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at The Penny Farthing?

Self parking is available for GBP 4 per night. Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at The Penny Farthing?

Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 2:00 AM. Early check-in is available for a fee of GBP 20.00 (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Penny Farthing?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for GBP 15.00 (subject to availability).

Where is The Penny Farthing located?

Situated in Berkhamsted, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Rex Cinema, Berkhamsted Castle, and The Pottery Project. Chiltern Hills and Frithsden Vineyard are also within 3 mi (5 km). Berkhamsted Station is 8 minutes by foot.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

The Penny Farthing Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 225 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 80 out of 225 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 42 out of 225 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 12 out of 225 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 225 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Easy check-in, clean spacious room . Great location with easy access to shops and restaurants
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hilary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Welcome fan!

Check in smooth and welcome genuine Nice room Fan especially welcome Lived having windows which opened
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Ai Ling

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location is excellent. I have stayed on multiple occasions at the hotel as it suits my needs when visiting friends and family.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very central friendly helpful reception
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Good value accommodation in popular area

Good,clean accommodation - rooms a bit tired but fine for a one or two night stay
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Friendly staff

Clean room. Comfy bed. Staff very friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff were very nice, quick check in, the room was quite dark and the a/c unit didn’t work so did get hot without the window open, which presented a bit of a security issue as I was on the ground floor. But overall perfect for my needs, nicely decorated and clean room.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay in Berkhamsted

Great location . Easy parking. Friendly check in. Room was lovely. Great shower. Good facilities. Needed ear plugs to sleep but am a light sleeper.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

6/10 Okay

kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Hotel is basic and simple. If you go with a family be aware of outside dining at restaurant outside so you will hear diners until around 10pm.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Xnovo

Ok, room but has the appearance of have being used. Heating was done by an old electrical heater as the radiator didn't function.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Last minute booking, room was fine for a one night stay but even though it was cold outside the room was like an oven and due to its location on the walkway opening a window wasn't really an option, there was aircon but it's noisy and dries me out, other than that a very good room for a very reasonable price.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Reasonable price
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Good for what we needed

Suitable for one night stay. Starting to look a bit dated but clean. Would have preferred a double room rather than a twin. Don’t know if there was one available when we arrived.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Lorraine

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I thought the room could do with updating as the walls were dirty and in general looked tired. The price didnt reflect the room. The staff however were exceptionally friendly and efficient.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Fiona

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very nice and checkin was fine. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice until I’d already unpacked that there was an extreme amount of mould and mildew in the shower with one fixture even coming away from the wall and the shower door seal cracked. Also, the WiFi was not consistent: sometimes it worked well other times not so well.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Suze

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Room was a bit shabby - a wall light was hanging out of the wall, the light over the bathroom mirror wasn’t working. Scuffs and scrapes to paintwork and walls. Seal on the shower door was very scruffy. Overall a bit dingy.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Amanda

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Tired Not clean and really needs to be upgraded No sleep all night and the bath didn’t even have a working plug
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

John

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very tired need money spent things were broken
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
This hotel has a relaxed comfortable atmosphere and is positioned well, being within walking distance from the rail station. The bedroom was fine, although the carpet was looking a little tired and stained. The bathroom was well designed and well featured, but sadly the maintenance was poor - the extractor fan was visually heavily clogged with fluff, and did not work at all. The bath plug, once under water, will not eject with the rotary knob, and renders it impossible to drain the bath. It appears the entire plug-ejection mechanism is missing! All that said, it was a comfortable, quiet night.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Peter

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Arrived late at night and was greeted by a lone receptionist who checked me in and handed key card and explained how to enter code to room. What she didn’t say was that there are no light in the area that you have to enter a code to get through to the rooms, after dropping off bags the hotel is right on the high street , so great for dining options, I went to the Giggling Squid Thai. After a good nights sleep in a comfy bed it was time for a nice hot shower before leaving at 6am. However the shower was cold, and after running the water for 5 mins,still stayed cold. Not what you want in October. My room had a bedside table still sticky from beer or contents of drinks and there was mould and shower trays falling apart Not the best hotel stay I have had
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mitchell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely location with a nice garden. Clean and spacious. Modern amenities. Great location and great value.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A lovely location, nice staff and great value for money! Good parking.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort

Disappointing return visit

A disappointing stay. Room small (despite paying for upgrade), aircon unit not working and small fan not sufficient for hot room. Decor drab and uninspiring. Stairs up to room smelt stale and walls needed repainting, carpet badly soiled. Fan in bathroom switched off, but when climbed up to cupboard to switch it on the noise was excessive. Limited hospitality tray. Having stayed a week ago in another part of hotel where it was more looked after and rooms a better size (with 2 opening windows which created airflow) we were disappointed
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The air conditioner was broken and couldn’t sleep because of heat.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wouldn’t stay again

Room was like a sauna, air conditioning was broken and replaced with 2 fans that didn’t do anything. Eventually relocated to a colder room.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.