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.