Markyate is situated on the A5, the old Roman Road, north of junction 9 on the M1. The total population of Markyate is approximately 3,000
In medieval times a community of Benedictine nuns was established in Markyate by Christina. On the ruins of the original priory a manor house, Markyate Cell was built. Many additions have been made over the centuries to the house but parts of the original Tudor building are intact. Markyate’s Parish Church, St John the Baptist, stands on a corner of the grounds of Markyate Cell.
The village clock was erected in 1911 to mark the coronation of King George V.
After a number of damage incidents, it was removed and put in store.
In 1953 the clock was replaced to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 on June 2nd 1953.
To mark the Platinum Jubilee of her reign, the Parish Council has decided to replace the clock mechanism with a modern electronic drive to ensure that the accurate time is always shown.