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Making North Hertfordshire a vibrant place to live, work and prosper.

Few counties can compare with Hertfordshire for variety, history, culture and convenience. It lies on London’s doorstep, is the gateway to the north and leads to the eastern coast via the ancient Icknield Way. It was valued by the Romans, fought-over by Alfred and the Danes and settled in by aristocrats, artists, actors and statesmen.

North Hertfordshire has its boundaries with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire and is a glory of open fields, picturesque villages and historic market towns. At its heart lies Letchworth, the town influenced by Ebenezer Howard’s Utopian vision to create the world’s first garden city more than a century ago. He envisaged a united community, living and working in harmony with the surrounding countryside and with each other.

Nearby historic Hitchin is quite different and a delight for residents, visitors and shoppers alike. Its stores include High Street favourites but much of its strength lies in its independents, including family-run concerns going back generations, and in its large market held three times a week.

Royston and Baldock, which both have links to the Knights Templar, boast scores of listed and prestigious buildings ranging from Medieval to Georgian as well as having extensive modern facilities for shoppers and visitors alike.

North Hertfordshire is the most rural district in the county, with more than 30 parishes ranging from tiny settlements to small towns. Idyllic rolling fields, bluebell woods and thatched cottages really do lie at the end of most country lanes. It is a stunning place to live, offering the convenience of major rail, road and air transport links, high-tech industry, some of the best schools in the country and unspoilt countryside. Communities work together to help each other and to provide a vast range of sports, clubs and activities often centred on the village hall or the local pub. No-one need ever be bored or lonely here and they will find a welcome wherever they go.

I am proud to be the Chairman of North Hertfordshire District Council where we are dedicated to making this a vibrant place to live, work and prosper. I hope this guide will be a useful introduction to the wonderful towns, villages and countryside that are here to be discovered whether you are a visitor or resident. The guide includes a wide range of information with useful maps which I hope will help you make the most of this fantastic area of Hertfordshire.

Councillor Claire Strong
Chairman of North Hertfordshire District Council

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. All photographs courtesy of North Hertfordshire District Council unless otherwise stated.