A few months ago a number of blue plaques appeared in and around the town centre of Hertford. Each was attached to a significant building which became part of the Hertford Heritage Trail.
Hertford is a charming town 25 miles north of London with an interesting history. As the county town of Hertfordshire it is home to twenty thousand people. I became one of the twenty thousand a few years ago.
As a resident of Hertford I had captured a number of images of the town over the years. In August 2017 I decided to use the Hertford Heritage Trail as a basis for adding some more. This selection features several images created recently with a few older photographs interspersed where I had them in my library. There are also a few gaps. Please check back occasionally as these will be filled over time.
The trail can start anywhere, but I have followed the route suggested by the Tourist Information Centre in the centre of town. A map and description of the Hertford Heritage Trail can be found here.
1. Hertford Castle
Hertford Castle in Winter
2. 25 Castle Street
25 Castle Street
3. 12 – 14 Parliament Square
12 to 14 Parliament Square
4. Green Dragon Vaults – the Green Dragon Inn
Green Dragon Vaults
5. 1 Fore Street
1 Fore Street
6. War Memorial
Hertford War Memorial
7. Bayley Hall
Bayley Hall
8. Shire Hall
Shire Hall
9. Egyptian House
Egyptian House architectural detail
10. Samuel Stone
I have cheated here. The heritage trail includes a Samuel Stone plaque which now sits over a bar on Fore Street. This statue of Samuel Stone, found close to Hertford Theatre is much more attractive and was photographed last autumn.
Samuel Stone Statue in Hertford
11. Corn Exchange
Hertford Corn Exchange
12. The Former Post Office
Old Post Office Building
13. Masters House
14. The Former Ram Inn
Dog and Whistle (Former Ram Inn)
15. Christ’s Hospital
Gate Statues Christ’s Hospital
16. Hertford East Station
Hertford East Station
17. The Priory / St John’s Church
The Priory St Johns Catholic Church
18. Quaker Meeting House
Quaker Meeting House
19. Hertford Museum
Hertford Museum
20. Lombard House
Lombard House
21. Old Cross Library
Old Cross Library
22. McMullen and Sons
McMullen and Sons Limited
23. Hartham Chapel
Hartham Chapel
24. Prince Albert Cottages
Price Albert Cottages
25. W E Johns
The former home of the Biggles author is the house to the right of the streetlamp.
Hertford – Home of WE Johns
26. Old Cross Post Office
Former Old Cross Post Office
27. Wallace House
28. Yeomanry House
Yeomanry House
29. 50 St Andrew Street
50 St Andrew Street
30. 43 St Andrew Street
43 St Andrew Street
31. North Road House
I believe North Road House is a private residence, so only the sign on the gate is shown here.
North Road House
32. Former Ebeneezer Chapel
I need to do some more research to locate this building. Please check back later.
33. Elsden Photographer
I need to do some more research to locate this building. Please check back later.
34. Sele Mill
Sele Mill
35. County Hospital
Hertford County Hospital
36. 37d West Street
37. Hale’s Free Grammar School
Hale’s Free Grammar School
38. School of Industry for Girls
School of Industry for Girls
39. The County Gaol
No picture is shown here. The Gaol was razed to the ground before offices were built on its site.
40. Former Addis Site
Former Addis Site
41. Port Hill House / Post House
This post is (and will probably always be) in development. I will try to improve the images as I wander around town over time. If you would like to know more about these or any other images of Hertford please get in touch.
