 The
White Hart This splendid 17th Century Pub forms
a corner of the square named after the Marquess of Salisbury. In
1994 a sculpture by William Pye called ‘Confluence’
was erected in Salisbury Square. ‘Confluence’ a modern
style fountain represents the rivers which flow into Hertford.
1.What are the names of these 4 rivers?
Hertford CastleMost
people think of the Castle when they think of Hertford. The remaining
Gatehouse was built in the 15th century and the original entrance
was later blocked in. On the east side a stone beside the path commemorates
the first General Synod of the English Church.
2. What date was the first
General Synod held?
St.Andrew Street
Worth admiring for the variety of its historic buildings. The most
important is Beckwith’s Antique shop. It was once the Verger’s
house and is the oldest dwelling in Hertford still left standing.
3. When was it built and when was it restored?
St.Andrew’s Church
Next to Beckwith’s is St. Andrews Church. While there has
been a church with this name on the site since before the Norman
Conquest, the building you see was built in 1869. Note the splendid
spire.
4.Edward Squires gravestone to the rear of the church has
recently been cleaned. In which year did he die?
11 St.Andrew Street
No.11 St. Andrew Street was the childhood home of Alfred Russel
Wallace. Wallace was almost as famous as Charles Darwin. He once
described Hertford as ‘one of the most pleasantly situated
country towns in England’.
5. How long did he live?
McMullen’s Brewery
McMullen and Sons limited is recognised as one of the country’s
leading independent Brewers with an estate of 145 top quality pubs
inn Hertfordshire, Essex and London. The company was founded in
Hertford in 1827 by Peter McMullen, great, great, great grandfather
of the McMullens who run the present day company.
6. When did McMullen’s start brewing?
The Old Ford Behind
the library is St. Nicholas Lane. It is believed to be the original
ford across the river which gave the town its name. Near the Library
is the Old Cross which was the centre of Hertford in the 10th century.
Across the road you will see the prominent statue of Samuel Stone.
7. A Puritan Minister who co-founded which town in America?
Shire Hall The most
impressive building in the centre of town is Shire Hall, once the
administration offices for the County and Borough Councils and now
the home of the Magistrates Courts. It was designed in 1769 by James
Adam. The beautiful ballroom which graces the interior of Shire
Hall is believed to be the setting for the regimentals ball in Jane
Austen’s ‘Pride and  Prejudice’.
8. How long did it take to build?
Beadle House Bull Plain may have been the original
market and contains some fine buildings. Beadle House, of the Queen
Anne period was one of the homes of the Dimsdale family who are
still famous locally. Dr.Thomas Dimsdale used smallpox inoculation
on the Russian Royal Court and was granted the title of Baron of
all the Russians.
9. Which company now uses Beadle House as its registered
office?
Hertford Museum Although
the building dates back to 1610 the frontage is 18th century. Explore
the museum if you have time and discover to its rear a charming
period garden.  Hanging
outside the museum is a sign from an old ironmongers dated 1798.
10. What is the sign in the shape of?
Folly Island Across
the bridge, surrounded by wharves and warehouses at the head of
the canal, lies an area of Hertford known as Folly Island. The ‘island’
was called Bray’s Folly in1766. The houses here were built
between 1866 and 1893.
11. What is the name of the pub on Folly Island?
The Friends Meeting House
The Friends Meeting House in Railway Street is the oldest of its
kind in the world still used as a place of worship. Many original
features survive. It is open to the public at certain times, and
music concerts are held there  regularly.
12. What time is the service each Sunday?
Bluecoats Look at
the two coloured figures above the gates to what was once Christ’s
Hospital School. This establishment for children dates back to 1682,
providing overspill education ‘for the recovery of their health
by the benefit of the air’. The figures are dressed in the
traditional uniform for boys. From 1902 only girls were educated
in Hertford until the Girls School joined the Boys school in Horsham
in 1985.
13. Step back. How many blue coated figures can you see?
All Saints The Church
of All Saints with St. John’s was burnt down in 1891. The
present building is just over 100 years old. Notice the wroug ht
iron gates on both sides of the new dual carriageway (Gascoyne Way)
which were erected to enable the assize judge to process from the
Church to the assize Court at the Shire Hall.
14. How many clock faces are on the tower?
The Salisbury Arms
Your walk finishes where it began, with a pub. This is the elegantly
decorated Salisbury Arms. The Plaster work seen on the facade is
called pargetting, and further examples can be seen on buildings
opposite. Inside the hotel is a beautiful Jacobean staircase. Cromwell
and Fairfax stayed here before putting down their own army mutiny
in 1647. The Inn was built on a medieval plan.
15. What was the original name before 1800?
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