STEVENAGE • 01438 316623
HITCHIN • 01462 438422
KNEBWORTH • 01438 812365
BUNTINGFORD • 01763 274111
WELWYN GARDEN CITY • 01707 390018
WELWYN • 01438 714686
HERTFORD • 01992 582052
WARE • 01920 468551
LETCHWORTH • 01462 684292
HODDESDON • 01992 471709
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HARPENDEN • 01582 762570
Funny isn’t it how a year can feel like both a short and a long time?
It seems like only yesterday that we produced the first edition of The Insider’s Guide to Hertford. Yet so much has changed in the past 12 months.
At high street level the town has said goodbye to a number of businesses – but also warmly welcomed new ones in their place.
In the wider town centre, major projects including East Herts Council’s redevelopment of Hertford Theatre (not without some major financial challenges) and Chase New Homes’ transformation of the former Bircherley Green shopping centre site are nearing completion. Another, the redeveloped Hartham Leisure
Centre, reopened in September 2023 and is a facility the town can be proud of.
As the saying goes “a year is a long time in politics” too – elections last May saw the local Green Party surprise the nation (not to mention themselves!) by sweeping the Conservatives from power on both our district and town councils.
You’ll find everything you need to know about all of the above plus much more including information on local shops and restaurants, local services, the town’s heritage and the arts –plus a handy town centre map – in this edition.
There are exciting times ahead for Hertford.
We hope The Insider’s Guide will help you make the most of them.
The long-anticipated flagship Lea Wharf development which is transforming the centre of Hertford has begun to open during early 2024.
It replaces the former Bircherley Green shopping centre which closed in 2018. After an initial proposed redevelopment first mooted in 2014 was halted in 2019 due to concerns over its financial viability, the site remained empty until Welwyn Garden City-based Chase New Homes bought it. Their joint commercial and residential development is now about to breathe new life into the town centre.
The site lies between Railway Street and the River Lea, and both its name and warehouseinspired architecture reflect that fact.
The ground floors of the two blocks making up the site house commercial units with upper
Sales: Call Lanes Exclusive Homes on 01992 940955 or email leawharf@lanesexclusivehomes.co.uk
Rentals: Call Steven Oates on 01992 303300 or email hertford@stevenoates.com
floors of smart new apartments.
The first block, Charter House, features 54 one and two-bedroomed homes, which were released last year for private sale, with a further 44 in the block opposite, Navigation House, which Chase New Homes have retained for private rental. Both the properties for sale and for rental have proved hugely popular with local people and those from farther afield.
The letting of the ground floor-level commercial units reflects the new reality of town centre businesses, with a mixture of restaurants, leisure and community uses and shops.
It has been a few years in the making but this major new development is a welcome addition to our county town.
The biggest retailer is health and beauty specialist Boots, which used to have a shop in the old Bircherley Green before its closure and demolition and retained a small presence in Railway Street while awaiting its new store.
The other traditional retailer that has already opened is Card Factory, the greeting card and wrapping specialist, which also used to have a store in the old Bircherley Green.
Latest opening of chain Loungers, Quattro Lounge will be an informal café-bar open all day serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and drinks. It will be a sister branch to Postino Lounge in Welwyn Garden City.
Sister venue to lunch, dinner and drinking hotspot Vault of Shenfield, Brentwood.
The third riverside unit has been taken by the Shipton family, who already run hospitality venues Hertford House, Anexo, The Quiet Man and The Store House in Hertford.
State of the art new NHS GP surgery, formerly based in St Andrew Street and known as Wallace House Surgery.
New local bootcamp and Reformer Pilates studio
The opening of Lea Wharf has also resulted in the former Bircherley Green car park, which has been shut for several years, reopening to the public in the early part of 2024. Shoppers are now able to take advantage of around 130 pay and display spaces which are available, with further spaces reserved for some residents living in the apartments at Lea Wharf.
The corner section of the site where Bircherley Street meets Railway Street was originally planned to be a Premier Inn hotel, but the company pulled out during the pandemic. It has now been sold to Churchill Retirement Living, which will be building 34 retirement apartments. Interested? Visit
The newly refurbished Hartham Leisure Centre is now fully open after a £9million investment that has transformed it into a modern centre fit for everyone.
The centre is operated by Everyone Active on behalf of East Herts Council.
The refurbishment has included a new twostorey extension with windows offering views over Hartham Common and housing a state-ofthe-art gym with 120 pieces of equipment.
Other changes include two new spacious modern studios that have increased the number of classes available; improvements to the swimming pool and changing areas; a new soft play area, a café with outside seating overlooking the common and a new reception area.
The centre is also much more energyefficient and eco-friendly, with solar panels on the roof, an air source heat pump and a stunning feature living wall that is served by rainwater from the roof.
• Brand new state-of-the-art gym
• Group fitness classes
• Swimming pool with lessons for all ages and abilities
• New spin studio
• Soft play area with sensory room and TAGplay feature
To find out more about membership options at the new Hartham Leisure Centre, scan the QR code on the advert on the back cover of this magazine or visit everyoneactive.com. Hartham Leisure Centre is on Hartham Common, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QR . Call 01992 584000.
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The curtain will go up this year on Hertford’s long-awaited – and much-anticipated – new theatre and cinema, which is to be called BEAM. The new venue replaces the former Hertford Theatre but is so much more than just an upgrade on what went before – because as well as boasting a bigger, better main auditorium and improved second studio theatre to host live performances, it will also have three cinema screens, which will be able to show new release films in Hertford for the first time in decades.
So there will no longer be any need to head out to Stevenage, Harlow or Enfield to see the latest blockbusters.
The new-look theatre’s larger main auditorium will enable it to attract more touring productions from bigger names, whilst the expanded studio theatre will mean smaller productions will be able to play to full houses. A new riverside café and upstairs bar will also be opening, offering a hugely upgraded experience for theatre-goers of all ages.
Delays and spiralling price increases caused by Brexit, Covid and inflation have meant the building of Hertford's new theatre has been a difficult process, and the costs have risen from an original estimate of £13.5million back in 2018 to an eventual £30million. But East Herts Council, which began what it called the Growth and Legacy Project under its previous Conservative leadership, has vowed to see it through under its new Green-Lib Dem administration.
The start may have been waiting in the wings, but with cinema screenings due to start in the summer and live productions from the autumn, Hertford will shortly once again have a main arts venue to be proud of.
Theatre director Rhys Thomas, whose work behind the scenes to ensure the completion of the project has been highly praised by East Herts councillors, has been working with a small team of staff, which is now just beginning to grow again, to prepare the ground for the new theatre.
Although exact dates and bookings were still to be confirmed when this guide went to print, projected shows in the autumn include Horrible Histories, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Orchestra, The Three Degrees and a visit from England World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst.
Some big name comedians are also slated to appear including Chris McCausland, Clinton Baptiste, Rich Hall, Andy Parsons and Pam Ayres – as well as the Comedy Store Players.
Luxury designer menswear from brands including Belstaff, Transit and Descente to name just a few.
5 Parliament Square SG14 1EX azirfashion.com
On trend clothing, shoes and accessories from English and Scandi labels.
7 Market Place SG14 1DF gingerlillieboutique.co.uk
HARRY JOSEPH TAILORING
Bespoke and made to measure suits, jackets, trousers and shirts plus ready to wear items.
1 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ harryjosephtailoring.com
Bold, fun vintage clothing, jewellery and homewares plus gifts.
6 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA magpieamore.co.uk
Celebrating 21 years in business, longestablished ladies’ fashions, trainers and accessories boutique.
29 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ retailtherapyhertford.com
MINT OF HERTFORD
Regularly changing pre-owned designer and high-end branded clothing, shoes and accessories. 49 Railway Street SG14 1BA mintofhertford.co.uk
RUBY ROOM
Affordable fashion, accessories and gifts for the younger woman and young at heart plus homewares. 23-25 Railway Street SG14 1BA rubyroomlifestyle.co.uk
Stylish, sustainable clothing for women and children plus gifts and homewares. 19 Old Cross SG14 1RE frankieandolive.co.uk
Family-run jewellers celebrating 18 years in the town. Specialising in bespoke engagement and wedding rings plus rings from European jewellery houses. Pre-made jewellery collections in store from selected brands including ChloBo, Lucy Quartermaine and Nicole Barr.
15 Market Place SG14 1DQ chapter79.co.uk
Independent jewellers offering premade jewellery and also specialising in bespoke items in both traditional and contemporary styles plus remodelling of old pieces into new favourites.
9 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DP hertofgold.co.uk
Menswear shop offering brands including Lacoste, Gant, Replay, Ted Baker and more.
30 Railway Street SG14 1BA stagsofhertford.co.uk
Celebrating 18 years in the town, on trend and classic fashion, shoes and accessories from brands including Barbour, Essentiel Antwerp, Fabienne Chapot, Mos Mosh and more.
2 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA womens-society.co.uk
Branch of Britain’s largest independent family jewellers offering a wide selection of jewellery, watches, diamonds and gifts.
2 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR fhinds.co.uk
Euronics retailer offering competitive prices on household appliances from kettles to washing machines, benefitting from group affiliation. 63-65 Fore Street SG14 1AL euronics.co.uk
Offers paints for DIY projects, furniture for upcycling, homewares and gift ideas. Commisions taken for custom projects.
The Old Cowshed, Foxholes Farm, London Road SG13 7NT goosepig.com
Family furniture chain with shops in Watford, Letchworth, and Stevenage offers beds, sofas, dining sets, carpets, and mobility furniture.
1 The New Arcade, Railway Street SG14 1SH martinsfurniture.co.uk
Sister shop to Yellie and Will Walton’s florists, Love Flowers, across town in Market Street. Equally stylish, The Shop offers homewares and lifestyle products including furniture, mirrors, lighting, throws, cushions and candles, vases, pots and plants.
19-21 Parliament Square SG14 1EX
Chic shop offers design-led gifts, homewares, books, cards and children’s toys, featuring creative and stylish items.
41 Fore Street SG14 1AL eyemindheart.shop
Messages, which celebrates its 40th birthday in 2024, stocks party essentials: tableware, decorations, gifts and balloons, including personalisation options.
25-27 Fore Street SG14 1DJ messagespartyshop.co.uk
Established for five years now the studios in Bull Plain are a collaborative space for contemporary local artists working together plus gallery and shop. The studios hosts regular exhibitions and events as well as stocks a fabulous range of local prints.
14 Bull Plain SG14 1DT brothershipstudio.com
DEROSA MUSIC
Formerly The Guitar Studio, now a music shop and school offering lessons in guitar, bass, drums, vocals, saxophone, piano, flute, clarinet, violin, and cello. Instruments and sheet music available.
2 Railway Place SG13 7BS derosamusic.co.uk
JANE MAPLES
Busy floral boutique specialising in designer bouquets, weddings and funeral tributes.
29 Fore Street SG14 1DJ janemaplesflowers.co.uk
Mark Wines, located in a historic grade 2 listed former Post Office, specialises in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture, clocks, and curios.
1 St Andrew Street SG14 1HZ markwinesantiques.co.uk
Vintage emporium offers diverse selection: lighting, art, homewares, clothing, books, and vinyl records from various dealers, constantly updating inventory.
4 Millbridge SG14 1PY rossisattic.co.uk
Yellie and Will Walton’s florists creates stunning seasonal bouquets and wreaths as well as offers indoor plants, wedding flowers and tributes.
1 Market Street SG14 1BD loveflowers.co.uk
Established in Hertford in 1997, Natural Health, which occupies a prominent site on the corner of Old Cross and The Wash, is an independent health food store plus community and therapy centre. It offers a huge variety of foods and supplements plus spiritual and holistic gifts and personal care products. A wide range of treatments from acupuncture to reiki is available too. 4 Old Cross SG14 1RB naturaltherapycentre.co.uk
Operating in Hertford for 25 years, supplying clothing and uniforms for 50+ local schools and dance schools, plus Rainbow, Brownie, and Guide uniforms. Connect Embroidery provides in-house printing and embroidery services. Unit 1A Great Northern Works, Hartham Lane SG14 1QW kidsconnection.co.uk
Family-run mobility business sells/ hires wheelchairs, scooters, care beds and walking aids, offering in-store demonstrations. Stocks daily living aids like crutches, bathroom aids and grab rails.
15 Church Street SG14 1EJ classicmobility.org.uk
Independent knowledgeable wine merchants that is part of a network sourcing wines from both French and world class vineyards. The busy shop also offers Champagnes, spirits, beers, local wines and holds regular tasting events. 22 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR cavavin.co.uk
Local Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe branch offers a vast array of sweets, fudge and handmade chocolate, appealing to both nostalgic adults and modern youngsters.
24 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR mrsimms.co
Hertfordshire's cycling hub, located near Hartham Common, offers top-brand bikes, e-bikes, clothing, accessories and parts at Great Northern Works.Hartham Lane SG14 1QN highwaycycles.co.uk
A recently restored historic shopfront houses a lifestyle store for dogs, championing UK suppliers with luxury products including accessories, beds, and grooming items.
7 Market Street SG14 1BD margauxs.co.uk
Avenue Pharmacy
73 The Avenue, Bengeo SG14 3DU
Boots pharmacy (temporary)
31 Railway Street SG14 1BA (new branch set to open in Lea Wharf in 2024) boots.com
Crescent Pharmacy
2 Fleming Crescent, Sele Farm SG14 2DJ crescentchemist.co.uk
Jade Pharmacy
29 Bircherley Green SG14 1BN jadepharmacy.co.uk
Sheffield Pharmacy
64 Fore Street SG14 1BT
St Andrew’s Pharmacy
44A St Andrew Street SG14 1JA standrewspharmacy.co.uk
Tesco Instore Pharmacy
Hertford Superstore, Ware Road SG14 1QA (open late) tesco.com
Well
14 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DR well.co.uk
County Care
4 Market Street SG14 1BD countycaredrycleanersandcobblers.com
Flamsteads
36 St Andrew Street SG14 1JA flamsteadsdrycleaning.co.uk
Irons 53 Fore Street SG14 1AL ironsdrycleaners.co.uk
Sovereign Dry Cleaners
5 Evron Place SG14 1PA sovereigndrycleaners.co.uk
Hertford Picture Framing
3 Old Cross SG14 1HX hertfordpictureframing.co.uk
Love Vintage Unit 7 Priory Wharf, Priory Road SG14 1RJ buylovevintage.com
County Care
4 Market Street SG14 1BD countycaredrycleaners andcobblers.com
Lock Stock and Barrell Key cutting and locksmith services
2-3 Warren Place, 2 Railway Street SG14 1BB lockstockuk.com
Hertford Library
Dolphin Yd, 10 Maidenhead St, Hertford SG14 1DR hertfordshire.gov.uk
Bandarband
13A Bull Plain SG14 1DX bandarband.com
Hertford Phones & Gadgets
10 Market Place, Hertford SG14 1DF hertford-phonesgadgets.business.site
Hertford Phone Surgery
Within the Post Office and UOE Store, 23-25 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DW phonesurgeries.co.uk
POST & DELIVERY SERVICES
Post and Packing
71 Fore Street SG14 1AL postandpackinguk.com
Bengeo Post Office
Within Co-op, 19 Bengeo Street SG14 3ES postoffice.co.uk
Hertford Post Office
UOE Hub, 23-25 Maidenhead Street SG14 1DW uoe.co.uk
Tudor Way Post Office
Within Co-op, 26 Fleming Crescent SG14 2DJ postoffice.co.uk
Missed a Royal Mail parcel?...
Hertford Delivery Office is at Greencoates SG13 8AB royalmail.com
Snappy Snaps
15A Railway Street SG14 1BG snappysnaps.co.uk
Concord Trophies
1 Ware Road SG13 7DY concordtrophies.com
County Care
4 Market Street SG14 1BD countycaredrycleaners andcobblers.com
We offer an extensive advanced facial menu as well as general beauty treatments, including: Proud to be celebrating 18 years in business
At our boutique salon in St Andrew Street, Hertford we pride ourselves on offering you the very best service and experience from the moment you walk through the door. We constantly reinvest in ourselves, our education and our treatments to deliver some of the best on the market.
• Collagenwave
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Single Origin Speciality Coffee roasted to order in Hertford Heath, served in Birch Green We are passionate about celebrating each coffee' s unique characteristics, and making speciality coffee accessible to all.
This
Baar Baar is a multi-cuisine sports bar based in the Old Cross premises that were formerly Sloppy’s. You can watch the latest sport live on one of five screens placed around the bar. But the venue is also a restaurant in which families are encouraged to come along and choose from a wide-ranging menu offering different types of food including Oriental, Mexican, American, Caribbean and Indian dishes. baarbaar.co.uk
No.5 Eat and Drink has brought something new to Hertford. This intimate, neighbourhood-style bistro, at 5 Old Cross, offers food and drink to eat in or take away. It has a handful of tables by the window at street level that are perfect for watching the world go by with a coffee or lunch, plus a cosy basement dining area. Open Monday to Saturday it offers breakfast and lunch from Monday to Saturday and then from Thursday to Saturday it reopens from 7pm for evening service and a supper menu of light bites alongside great beers and wines.
It’s been a long time since Hertford town centre had a sit-down Chinese restaurant. The Golden Dragon has filled that gap, opening in 34 St Andrew Street which was previously home to Thai restaurant Baan Thitiya. Owner Elle Thianthong also owns Elle’s Kitchen and Oishii Japanese restaurant in the town, so she knows Hertford well. She has, in fact, added a few twists of her own to the classical Chinese menu, hence the restaurant’s full name of The Golden Dragon: Elle’s Style Chinese Cuisine. thegoldendragon.co.uk
The popular Italian restaurant Il Vino in St Andrew Street reopened last year with a fresh new look after a major refurbishment that had kept it closed for four months.
Il Vino is the oldest of three siblings in a family business run by Vini Shahaj, with its Il Vino Café and Market Bar, both in Fore Street, being its little brothers and sisters.
The restaurant is warm and welcoming and its Italian dishes are lovingly created. The familyfriendly atmosphere is enhanced by its great value kids’ menu. ilvinorestaurant.co.uk
Those missing the Thai food of the Baan Thitiya restaurant, which closed last year, can now get their fix of their favourite dishes from its new takeaway shop at Old Cross, which opened at the beginning of March. The name means ‘rich in flavour’ in Thai and both takeaway and delivery are available from its new base, in which it replaced the short-lived The Mexican. ruayrot.co.uk
On the outskirts of Hertford, in the hamlet of Birch Green, you can find Four Rivers Coffee Co, a boutique business that was originally launched by owner Ashley Poole during the Covid pandemic, when he built and equipped his own micro-roastery in a tiny roasting shed at the bottom of his back garden in Hertford Heath. Roll on a couple of years and Ashley roasts and sells his consciously-sourced and traceable speciality coffee from his own café in Birch Green, just off the A414 between Hertford and Hatfield. You can also order coffee from Ashley to enjoy at home from his website fourriverscoffee.co.uk
Hertford Cake Co moved across town last November from its original home in St Andrew Street to a new bakery-café in Fore Street. The new premises provide more space for the family-run business and means customers can now sit in and enjoy coffee and cake as well as take away their range of cupcakes, brownies, milkshakes and desserts. You can also order online in advance to pick up from the Hertford bakery-café or its bakery in Buntingford. Birthday and special occasion cakes can also be ordered. You’ll find the new café at 91 Fore Street. hertfordcakeco.com
Dine and drink at one of our family of Hertford venues!
Our family-run Italian restaurant is perfect for any occasion, providing excellent dishes lovingly made. Il Vino is for everyone, with affordable Italian cuisine in the heart of Hertford. Just along the road from the soon-to-reopen Hertford Theatre – pop in for a pre-theatre meal.
3 St Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1HZ
Open Wednesday to Saturday 5-11pm | Sunday 12-5pm
Book online at Ilvinorestaurant.co.uk or call 01992 550582
Our small family café with friendly staff, excellent coffee, panini and cake
Open Monday to Sunday 8am-4pm
Takeaway available online at ilvinocafe.co.uk
82 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1BY
Market Bar
Cocktails, wine and tapas
Open Wednesday & Thursday 5-10pm Friday & Saturday 12-3pm & 5pm-1am
Bottomless brunch 12-3pm Friday & Saturday
33-35 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1DJ
Superb Thai food to take away or for delivery from the centre of Hertford
Our new home is just a few hundred metres along the street from where we first set up Baan Thitiya Thai restaurant back in 2003, and this venture continues our story of more than 20 years in Hertford
Our large menu includes new vegan specials and contains many dishes that you won’t find in other Thai restaurants locally ORDER BY PHONE OR
For delivery order through GoGetters or Deliveroo
6 Old Cross, Hertford SG14 1RB
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5-9.30pm Friday 5-10pm Saturday 12-2.30pm & 5-10pm Sunday 12-2.30pm & 5-9.30pm
As the name suggests Hertford’s Town and Tourist Information Centre is a valuable resource not just for visitors but also for residents of the county town.
Run by Hertford Town Council, and offering an impressively wide range of useful services, this double-fronted shop opposite Hertford Theatre in The Wash is one of the town’s most visited addresses.
As you’d expect it holds a vast amount of literature about the town both present and past, accommodation lists, maps and guides.
During the first week of every month it is also one of a number of venues where you can pick up a copy (while stocks last) of local news magazine Axis (produced by the publishers of The Insider’s Guide).
And there’s a lot more besides…
The shop holds information on a wide range of local events, clubs and societies and acts as a booking agent for many local events including theatre, cinema, comedy and music.
You can pop in to buy tickets in person or make bookings via phone or online.
They also take bookings for day trips offered by Welwyn-based coach company Reg’s.
During school holidays the Town Council organises town trails aimed at children and their families encouraging them to explore the local area and the Town and Tourist Information
Centre is the venue to head for to pick up a physical copy of trail maps.
Another perhaps less well known but incredibly useful feature of the shop is its photocopying service – handy for both residents needing a single copy of an important document and local businesses without access to a photocopier needing multiple print outs.
Since moving from its former premises in Market Place several years ago, the increased size of its new premises has allowed the Town and Tourist Information Centre to increase its own unique retail offering with a growing selection of town souvenirs – everything from Hertford themed pencils, erasers, tea towels, mugs and the town’s annual calendar –along with local produce such as honeys, gins and jams; through to jewellery, homewares and artworks from local artists.
At Christmas it hosts a pop up for Cards for Good Causes, selling the charity’s Christmas cards in support of both local and national charities.
With so many useful services supporting residents, visitors, organisations and businesses, whatever you’re looking for in Hertford the Town and Tourist Information Centre is the address worth starting from!
Learning is brought to life at Duncombe School for all children aged first-hand experiences and inspirational teaching methods.
A Duncombe education is built upon the firm foundations of inspiring and engaging lessons across the whole school. This, alongside a diverse curriculum, specialist teaching, and a vast array of opportunities, results in our achievements of very high academic standards
What makes a Treetops Pre-School education so special?
Consistently exceeding Early Years national scores.
Specialist teachers across a range of subjects, including French, Spanish, Music and Physical Education
Engaging themed curriculum for dynamic learning experiences.
Small classes for personalised attention
Weekly visits to Duncombe School facilities, including covered Astro, Forest School, Library and Music Studio.
Part of the 15 free hours Government funding.
47 week wraparound care available.
Why choose a Duncombe education?
Specialist teachers delivering French, Spanish, Forest School, ICT, Music, Physical Education and Science.
International technology collaborations
1:2:1 devices for all children from Year 3-6.
Secondary style timetable in Upper School.
Dedicated preparation and support for Secondary School and scholarship applications.
Outstanding pastoral care instilling confidence and determination
Range of facilities including covered Astro, Forest School, Library and Music Studio.
A vast range of extra-curricular activities.
47 week wraparound care available.
Every child at Duncombe is treated as an individual, encouraged to develop strength of character and prepared for life beyond Duncombe with an open, confident and inquisitive mind.
If you’re looking to find out more about the town and how its past has shaped the present head to Hertford Museum in Bull Plain.
It’s first floor has a permanent display telling the story of Hertford and its surrounding villages from prehistoric times to the present day, and will introduce you to major employers and notable residents, and show you how the local population has lived, worked, shopped, worshipped and played over the centuries.
The museum opened in 1903 when local brothers Robert Thornton Andrews and William Frampton Andrews realised their dream of creating a free public museum for the people of Hertford. At first it was located alongside their business in Fore Street, before moving to Bull Plain in 1913.
It has now, as its motto proclaims, been ‘inspiring generations’ for more than 120 years.
Back in the 1900s when relatively few were lucky enough to travel the world for themselves, members of the Andrews family along with other families from the area brought back ‘souvenirs’ from visits abroad offering others in the town a window onto the world.
While the museum no longer collects such items, the ground floor display “The Early Days” offers today’s visitors an insight into the collecting fashions of the time with items as diverse as Samurai armour, Egyptian sculpture and animal specimens.
What you see across the two galleries is just a fraction of the museum’s collection. It cares for more than 100,000 objects including the Addis company archive featuring the world’s largest collection of toothbrushes!
Items not currently on display are kept in store, feature in exhibitions (the museum offers a programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year) or may be on loan to other accredited museums.
Hertford Museum has also just launched a new website dedicated to The Hertfordshire Regiment, a volunteer force made up of clerks, postmen, labourers and tradesmen, with the more professional classes in officer positions, that was in existence between 1908 and 1961. Those who served in it saw active service in both world wars. Read their stories at hertfordshireregimentmuseum.org.
Entry is free although as an independent museum and charitable trust donations are welcomed and there are opportunities to further help its work through volunteering or adopting an object. You’ll find details online.
A small shop which supports the museum’s work offers a wide range of local history publications, small gifts, toys, fossils and minerals along with a very decent collection of quality greeting cards. You can view and buy photography from the museum’s archives online.
The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sundays from 12noon to 4pm.
For more information and to see current exhibitions visit hertfordmuseum.org
For a relatively small town, Hertford has a big history. A fascinating way to explore it is through the Hertford Heritage Trail, created in 2017 by Hertford Town Council, Hertford Civic Society and Hertford and Ware Local History Society.
The imaginative project saw the installation of 41 blue plaques on buildings across Hertford –from its once royal castle to the homes of other significant residents, buildings that housed important trades and professions, and others of architectural merit.
The trail includes the oldest purpose-built Quaker meeting house in the country in Railway Street, James Adam’s 18th century Shire Hall in Fore Street and, also in Fore Street, the site of the former Christ’s Hospital School with its notable ‘bluecoats’ statues.
The trail also features architecturally significant buildings including W N Ashbee’s Hertford East railway station, Old Cross Library which was designed by prolific British architect Reginald
Blomfield, and the town’s iconic war memorial in Parliament Square featuring a bronze stag set on top of a Portland stone plinth designed by Sir Aston Webb.
Buildings where famous individuals used to live include the home in Cowbridge of W E Johns, author of the Biggles books, the St Andrew Street first home in Hertford of Scots-born novelist Annie S Swan and her husband local GP and war hero Doctor James Burnett Smith, and the home of puritan minister and co-founder of Hartford, Connecticut, Samuel Stone (to whom you’ll find a statue close to Hertford's theatre in The Wash).
The former premises (now residential developments) of still existing businesses on the trail include McMullens’ former Victorian brewery building in Hartham Lane and the former Addis toothbrush factory in Ware Road.
Hertford’s built heritage is what makes it visually such an attractive town today. Explore the trail and you’ll get a fascinating insight into its past.
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• Commercial advice including business sales
It’s the iconic building that everyone associates with Hertford, our very own castle linking the town’s present all the way back through Tudor times (Elizabeth I spent time here in her childhood and later she even moved Parliament here during the plague), to the Normans.
Originally a motte and bailey castle – a large earthen mound with a wooden keep on the top surrounded by an enclosure (bailey) into which cattle would have been driven – the ‘castle’ today bears little resemblance to its original form although the earthen mound is still visible in the north-east corner of the castle gardens.
The flint and stone curtain wall built in 1170 to replace the original wooden palisade around the bailey also survives.
The castle itself had been rebuilt over the centuries, before eventually falling into disrepair after the death of Elizabeth I when it was no longer used as a royal residence.
And in fact, what people today call Hertford Castle is actually the gatehouse, built around 1465, to the royal palace that stood on the site at that time.
The grade 1 listed building and its gardens are held dear by the town’s residents and play a central part in the life of the town.
The gatehouse is home to Hertford Town Council with the grounds open to the public as a park.
There are open days, events, even the chance to host your own occasion – or wedding – at the castle.
The town council organises an annual programme of events for the town, many of which take place within the grounds of the castle and the majority of which are free of charge. Highlights for 2024 include: Cars at the Castle on Sunday 2nd June, Open Air Theatre on Saturday 15th June, Hertford Castle Beer and World Food Festival on Sunday 7th July, Rock at the Castle on Sunday 4th August, Open Air Cinema on Friday 16th August and a Christmas Market from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th November.
On a number of days throughout the year, often coinciding with the programme of events taking place on the lawns, Hertford Town Council opens up the castle between 12noon and 4pm for guided tours offered by volunteers from The Friends of Hertford Castle. The tours are free but donations to the Mayor of Hertford’s charities are welcomed.
Hertford has a thriving arts community and with the reopening of Hertford's theatre this year that community is set to get a much anticipated new focal point. But there are many other ways to get involved in the arts locally too. Here are some of the venues and societies that add so much to the cultural fabric of our town…
Courtyard Arts - A thriving hub of creativity that offers a series of classes and courses in various aspects of art throughout the year. Its gallery hosts regular exhibitions and its small but wellstocked shop is also a great place to buy unique and unusual gifts. You’ll find it in Port Vale on the edge of the town centre towards Bengeo. Find out more at courtyardarts.org.uk
Hertford Corn Exchange - Run since 2022 by the team behind the renowned music venue
The Horn in St Albans, the town’s historic Corn Exchange is where to go for all manner of live bands, from big names looking to perform in a more intimate venue to top tribute bands and up and coming performers too. For the latest listings visit cornexchangehertford.co.uk.
Hertford Choral Society - This is a friendly, non-auditioned choir with more than 100 singers and is directed by Manvinder Rattan. With weekly rehearsals in town on a Tuesday, it performs major choral works and modern pieces at four concerts a year, with professional soloists and orchestras. hertfordchoral.org.uk
HDOS - Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society produces five shows a year and hosts the renowned Hertford Theatre Week, a week-long drama festival with performances from amateur groups from around the country. Usually held at Hertford Theatre in March or April this year’s takes place at Haileybury College in May. It also has its own small theatre at Bentley House in Pegs Lane. hdos.org.uk
Hertford Art Society - This society meets almost every Tuesday throughout the year for talks, demonstrations, critiques and practical evenings. In the summer, members paint outdoors in and around Hertford. It also hosts public exhibitions. hertfordartsociety.co.uk
Hertford Symphony Orchestra - HSO is one of the country’s leading non-professional orchestras and performs both traditional and popular family concerts every year. hertfordsymphonyorchestra.org.uk
The Company of Players - An amateur dramatics group with its own Little Theatre in Balfour Street, where it produces five plays a year, which usually run for around a week each. It’s a friendly and intimate venue with 63 seats. cops.org.uk
Three separate councils provide services to homes, businesses and individuals in Hertford – Hertfordshire County Council , East Herts District Council and Hertford Town Council .
The responsibilities of each are distinct, although as part of their work they may be required to consult with each other and, on occasions, will work jointly to deliver a service, project or improvements to the area.
Each is made up of councillors , elected by residents in local elections and, in the case of the county and district councils, run by a leader and cabinet made up of councillors of the majority political party.
The chairman or mayor chairs meetings and carries out civic and ceremonial duties.
Councillors are not salaried but get an allowance and expenses towards their costs.
It is these politicians that control the council and determine its priorities for work and spending.
Officers are the paid employees of each council who work in departments such as education, planning or housing and deliver council services.
The chief executive , or in the case of the town council, the clerk , is the paid head of the organisation.
County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DQ hertfordshire.gov.uk
Provides a wide range of services to residents of the 10 districts that make up the county including:
• Adult Services - including care and accommodation for older adults
• Children’s Services - including care, education, fostering and adoption
• Countryside management including rights of way
• Fire and Rescue
• Highways, roads and pavements including road repairs and gritting
• Libraries and archives
• Public Health
• Registration service for births, marriages and deaths
• Trading Standards
• Waste and recycling including recycling centres (nb: East Herts carries out bin collections).
Council leader: Councillor Richard Roberts
Chairman: Councillor Terry Douris
Interim Chief Executive: Scott Crudgington
Wallfields, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8EQ eastherts.gov.uk
East Herts District Council is responsible for:
• Benefits and support including housing benefit and universal credit
• Bin collections (including chargeable garden waste collections)
• Car parks and parking enforcement
• Collection of council tax and business rates
• Electoral Services
• Environmental health (including air quality & noise pollution, pest control, dog fouling and dog control, stray dogs )
• Housing
• Leisure services including sports centres and theatres
• Licences and registrations (ie taxi licences, street trading, food premises registration)
• Parks and open spaces
• Planning and building control services
Council leader: Councillor Ben Crystall
Chairman: Councillor Calvin Horner
Chief Executive: Richard Cassidy
The Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR hertford.gov.uk
The first tier of local government in the area’s best-known building, Hertford Town Council is responsible for:
• Administration of a number of grants
• Allotments
• Hertford Cemetery in North Road
• Town and Tourist Information Centre – a dedicated shop in The Wash provides maps, guides and local information, ticket sales for local events and local souvenirs.
*The council also organises a growing number of community events such as open air theatre and cinema in the castle grounds, an annual food festival and music event Rock at the Castle.
Mayor: Councillor Vicky Smith
Clerk: Joseph Whelan
I want to…
Take on an allotment
Apply for a blue badge for my vehicle
Apply for benefits
Report a missed bin collection or request a bin
Get help with care or accommodation
Report a lost or found dog
Report noise nuisance
Seek planning permission or comment on an application
Report a pot hole
Apply for a school place
Report a street light out
Who to contact
HTC
HCC
EHDC
EHDC
HCC
EHDC
EHDC
EHDC
HCC
HCC
HCC
2023 saw the political landscape of Hertford and the wider East Herts district change beyond recognition with last May’s local council elections seeing the Conservative Party, dominant in the area for decades, swept from power.
The Conservatives who had, just eight years previously, held every one of the 50 seats on East Herts District Council , won just 16 on 4th May.
In a shock result that it’s fair to say took even some of their own candidates by surprise, the Greens were the biggest winners – although their 19 seats were not enough to win them overall control of the council which is now run by a joint Green and Liberal Democrat controlled administration. With two Green councillors later resigning the party whip, the current make-up of the council as this guide went to print was 17 Greens, 16 Conservatives, 10 Liberal Democrats, 5 Labour and 2 Independent.
The previously Conservative controlled Hertford Town Council is now under Green control after 12 of the 16 seats were won by the party last May. With one later resigning the party whip the current make up of the council is 11
Green, 4 Labour and 1 Independent with no Conservatives. The changes in political control of both councils will no doubt see changes in policy direction and indeed some are already noticeable.
But with the continued effects of Covid, the war in Ukraine and inflation still being felt, 2024 is expected to be a difficult year for local authorities across the UK and our new leaders may find themselves limited in what they can do other than balance the books for a while yet…
While there was no political change at Hertfordshire County Council (the next elections are in May 2025), there was major change for its workforce with staff moved from County Hall to Stevenage. While the front section of the Pegs Lane site is being retained for civic purposes such as council meetings, the remainder is to be sold off.
Green party councillors from councils across East Herts pictured after the elections, with the then new chairs and mayors in the centre. Pictured top right of the page are East Herts Council leader Ben Crystall of the Green Party with deputy leader Mione Goldspink of the Liberal Democrats
Julie Marson is the Conservative Member of Parliament for the Hertford and Stortford constituency, first elected in 2019.
As well as representing the interests of the area in the House of Commons, Mrs Marson undertakes constituency duties which see her and her team offering support and advice to residents who approach her on matters of concern.
An election is expected to be called during 2024 at which Mrs Marson is expected to stand again as the Conservative candidate for the seat. You can contact her via email at julie.marson. mp@parliament.uk. Her constituency office is at Harlow Enterprise Hub in Edinburgh Way CM20 2NQ and her team can be reached on 01279 312 197. juliemarson.org.uk
The Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE, CStJ, is the King’s representative in the county, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Lord-Lieutenant’s duties include, among other things, arranging visits by members of the royal family, attending these and escorting royal visitors, and playing a role in the civic, business and social life of the county. lord-lieutenant-herts.org.uk
Chairing council meetings, acting as ambassadors for their area, carrying out ceremonial duties and raising money for their chosen charities for the year is the role of the Chairman or Mayor of each of our three local councils.
David Lloyd has held the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire since 2012 with responsibility for determining the policing priorities for the area, controlling the policing budget and appointing the area’s chief constable. Police and Crime Commissioners are elected by the public for a four year term and the latest of these is set to end in May this year. Mr Lloyd has signalled that he will not be standing for re-election this time. hertscommissioner.org
Councillor Vicky Smith is the Mayor of Hertford Town Council
Councillor Calvin Horner is the Chairman of East Herts Council
Councillor Terry Douris is Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council
Each is appointed for a municipal year which is set to end in May 2024.
The dark days of lockdown during the Covid pandemic may, thankfully, seem a long time ago now but some of the imagery of that period still sticks in the mind – none more so locally here in Hertford than the artwork of Paul Crowley.
Amidst such difficult times, Paul’s bright and colourful prints depicting iconic Hertford scenes were sold to raise money for local NHS charities and could even be seen on closed shopfronts.
The positivity they engendered was much needed in those days.
A Hertford boy with a background in graphic design that goes back 30 years, Paul still shows and sells his work through Brothership gallery in Bull Plain, and has once again also designed the cover of this year’s Insider’s Guide to Hertford, featuring the distinctive roof of Hertford's theatre.
As well as prints, Paul loves all things photographic, including black and white street photography, and many of his striking images can be seen regularly on social media channels for the town.
Nor is he afraid to diversify. Some of his most recent work references topical issues in the town, such as the sad end of Hertford’s annual Musical Mystery Tour, an all-day music festival that saw bands and singers play at venues around town on the Bank Holiday Monday at the end of August.
Paul immortalised the final incarnation of it with the names of every artist and venue taking part inscribed on one disc. He sold copies of the work and raised more than £1,000 for cancer research.
Other pieces include a wonderful take on the London Underground map with Hertford
The stag image is 1,000 things from place, time and memory about Hertford
A pub connections map - Hertford Get-A-Round
pubs down the years instead of station names, called Hertford Get-A-Round, and a stag image made up of 1,000 things from place, time and memory about Hertford.
If you are looking for a piece of high quality artwork with a real local connection, you can see a wide range of Paul’s work, including a catalogue of his photography, at Brothership. Much of his work can also be seen on his website, 366daysofphotography.co.uk.
• Gay’s Newsagents, Fore Street
• Hertford Library, Maidenhead Street
• Hertford Museum, Bull Plain
• Chapter 79 Jewellers, Market Place
• Hertford Coffee Lab, Bull Plain
Come and try the all-new Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford!
Brand new gym with 120 pieces of state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment
Group fitness classes
Swimming pool and swimming lessons for all ages and abilities
Brand new spin studio
Soft play area with sensory room and TAGplay feature
Scan the QR code to get your free day pass* (Ts&Cs apply)
Hartham Leisure Centre, Hartham Common, Hartham Lane, Hertford SG14 1QR 01992 584000 | everyoneactive.com
