Prior to 1894, Langley and neighbouring Preston were part of the parish of Hitchin, together forming a long salient to the south of the town itself.[4] Langley and Preston became separate civil parishes as a result of the Local Government Act 1894, with effect from the first parish meeting on 4 December 1894.[5] Langley civil parish was then included in the Hitchin Rural District between 1894 and 1974, when it became part of North Hertfordshire.