A small town in the county of Hertfordshire, UK, Harpenden is within the district of St Albans and has an interesting history. Roman remains discovered in areas around Harpenden suggest of settlements in the centuries BC, however the original village of Harpenden developed as woodland was cleared under Edward the Confessor during the eleventh century, to make room for farming around Wheathampstead Manor, the first church to be built was the St Nicholas church (1217). Somewhat later during the Wars of the Roses, a common close to Harpenden was the site of the Second Battle of St Albans. During the early 19th century, Harpenden was the location of the 1st annually run steeplechase race, and was a popular location for horse racing throughout the century. The face of Harpenden changed forever with the arrival of the railway, as farms were replaced with residential development. During WW2 the town was used for the evacuation of children from bomb torn London. Harpenden today is mostly a commuter town, which enjoys excellent road and rail links with London.
November 9, 2009
November 8, 2009
Wheathampstead Hertfordshire
A small town to the north of St Albans in Hertfordshire, Wheathampstead has a population of over 6,000 and is basically little more than a large village. The history of Wheathampstead goes back to the centuries BC, when there were settlements established by a tribe known as the Belgae. Evidence found in an area known as Devil’s Dyke provided proof of these early settlements. Wheathampstead was later mentioned in the Domesday Book (1089), when it was referred to as Watamestede. Though there may have been a church in the town before the Normans arrived, the earliest surviving construction is part of the church of St Helens which dates from around 1280. Right up until 1859 Wheathampstead was part of the same rectory as another Hertfordshire town, Harpenden. Present day Wheathampstead is within the district of St Albans. Map of Wheathampstead.