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Home , Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City

1. Sir , the pioneer of garden cities, lived at 5 Welcome to Garden City Town Trail 23. Both Howardsgate and Parkway have twin roadways, set out originally Road, 1920-1929. Sir Frederic Osborn, another Garden City pioneer, to make parking easier. A circular floor plaque for Sir Ebenezer Howard is lived at 16 Guessens Road. located in Howardsgate. 2. Prior to the development of 1920, this area was largely farmland with 24. The original station opened here in 1926, once the railway company a few scattered hamlets. Handside was one of these. Five of its ROAD The was convinced it would be profitable. It was demolished in 1988. K R cottages can still be seen in Bridge Road. The oldest, now 39 Bridge PA The new station opened in the Howard Centre in September 1990. Shredded

Road, bears the date 1604. DS Wheat RAR 25. The original Cherry Tree public house opened in 1921, in 4 acres of HER 3. Numbers 48 and 50 are estate cottages, possibly dating back to 1709. SHERRARDSPARK S Building, woodland. Although its 1932 replacement was demolished in 1991, 40 Numbers 52 and 54 were built by Lord Cowper’s estate, supporters of E 1927 the façade was retained and the site is now occupied by Waitrose. IV R R D ROAD various charities, in 1876. OU D NDWOO REDDINGS CAR 39 26. There has been a bridge here since before was 4. This unusual cottage (56 Bridge Road), designed by C.H. James in PARK started. It was originally widened in 1929 and then further widened in 1922, was built for the weaver Mary Kemp, who died in 1934. 1960. From 1920 to 1926, Welwyn Garden City’s only rail link was on 41 42 THE CAMPUS the branch line here. 5. Like most “lanes”, Handside Lane is older than the town. The first 3 BRIDGE RD Y 37 new homes were built here in 1920. The famous actress Dame Flora WA 4 27. Norton Grinding Wheel opened here in 1930. It became the town’s Robson lived at 40 Handside Lane. 2 25 largest firm for a time, but closed its doors in 1982. This is now the site DISUSED RAIL 26 Y 38 of the Community Housing Trust. 6. From 1921, workers’ housing was built at Youngs Rise and also in Elm Gardens and Applecroft Road. The aim of this was to prevent an East- 1 BRIDGE RO 28. Ludwick Way, named after the medieval Ludewyk Hall, was rebuilt West divide in the town. PARKWA AD in the 1980s and 90s and is surrounded by typical Welwyn Garden City RUSSELLCROFT ROAD 21 22 36 BRIDGE ROAD cul-de-sacs. In 1937 rents here were 14/8d (73 pence) a week. 7. The site of Welwyn Garden City Cottage Hospital, 1929-1940. The site 27

STONEHILLS has been used for housing since the 1980s. 5 23 HOWA 29. The first houses in Knella Road were let in 1939 and were redeveloped RDSGAT E in the 1990s. 8. designed this, the first state school in the Garden 24 City. It opened in 1923 and was named Handside School. RD CENTRE HYDE WA 30. The Peartree branch of Welwyn Stores opened here in 1925, with Y It is now called Applecroft Primary School. CHURCH ROAD five departments and ten staff. From 1980 until its demolition in HOWA 19 1990, the building was used by a DIY firm. The site is now occupied by 9. This was the site of Lawrence Hall which was funded by a wealthy 6 HANDSIDE LANE 35 20 Peartree Surgery. resident, Miss Lawrence. In October 1922, it featured YOUNGS RISE D the first film shown in the town and was latterly a base for the local A 31. Peartree School, originally called Moatwood School, was the first school O 7 R operatic society, Welwyn Thalians. Look for the brass plaque by the S LU to the east of the railway. It opened in 1929. N SE DWICK WA footpath. ES 34 GU 32. This grassy area marks the spot of a medieval homestead site, at least AY 10. The Backhouse Room, formerly a cart shed for Upper Handside Farm, is TER ROAD 28 600 years old. This area can only be seen from the dotted walk.

Y named after a Director of Welwyn Garden City Limited. It is now used ELM GARDENS MEADOW 13 PARKW 14 33. The Welwyn Garden City Company built 450 concrete homes here for as a community hall. 17 BROADWA 18 30 KNELLA ROAD local employees. Having serious maintenance problems, the houses AP 12 GREEN PL 11. The Old Drive was originally the entrance road for Upper Handside Farm. EC were demolished and replaced with new homes in the 1980s. R LONGCROFT LANE 31 29 OF D MILL GREEN ROAD T R A BIRDCROFT O O 16 M AD R O WEL 12. The Daily Mail’s “Model Village” was originally planned to be built on A LGA 34. 40 Broadwater Road was originally built for Roche Products between FT R T RT OA W 8 BA CRO D H RLEY ER CRESCENT O Parkway. It was actually built on Meadow Green in 1922, as part of O 1938 and 1940. It is a fine example of the work of Swiss architect, 9 AT D 32 the Ideal Home Exhibition. Otto Salvisberg, and the only one of his buildings in the UK. This site 10 15 DW POND is now closed and is set to be regenerated. It is not yet known what 13. The Friends’ Meeting House opened in 1926. Behind is the BROA 33 11 PEARTREECROFT LANE will populate the site. Synagogue, completed in 1956. 35. Sectional factories along this side of Broadwater Road were let to 14. Housing has now engulfed what was Lower Handside Farm. HANDSIDE LANE low-budget companies including Murphy Radio, Bickiepegs and Cresta A relocated barn survived and is now the home of the popular Barn HOWELL ROAD Silks. Captain ‘Tim’ Birkin, the famous racing driver, built his Theatre, which opened in 1932. supercharged Bentleys in two of these between 1929 and 1932. 15. When newly built, in the mid-1920s, the houses in Barleycroft Road 36. The Shredded Wheat factory (a “Palace of Crystal”) designed by Louis cost just £1,025. Key de Soissons, opened in 1925 with 100 workers, mainly young women. 16. In 1938 Christ Church was built for Baptists. It was extended in 1963. Town Trail 37. The Council Offices opened in 1937, expanding into the original Fire 17. Originally Parkway’s twin roads were going to be 1,300 yards long Station area after 1978. (1189 metres), but finished here instead, in 1929. They are now 848 Alternative routes for Pedestrians Route 1 (1-23) is 2 miles long 38. The Welwyn Garden City Company’s own Welwyn Stores opened yards (775 metres) long. Railway Line in 1921 on the far side of Parkway. This department store was 18. St Bonaventure’s was the first church to be built in Welwyn Garden Route 2 (24-38) is 2.5 miles long officially opened in 1939 and since 1983 has been a branch of the City and opened its doors to worshippers in 1926. Open Space . 19. St Francis of Assisi Church was consecrated in 1935, at only one-third Car Park Route 3 (39-42) is 1 mile long 39. Public buildings, including the Campus West Theatre and public library, the original planned size. were built here in the 1970s. 20. In the early years, non-conformist denominations shared the Free 40. In 1925 the attractive White Bridge was constructed over the now Church. It opened in 1929. Like St Francis of Assisi Church, it was disused and Dunstable branch railway line. This allowed the planned to be the size of a cathedral. town to develop northwards. 21. Plans for an 18 storey block of flats at the corner of Russellcroft 41. The Luton and Dunstable line closed in 1965 and is now a popular Road were successfully opposed in 1962. Gardens here commemorate footpath. active citizens Dick and Celia Reiss and their rescue of 14 Jewish boys 42. The Campus occupies an area that was originally part of a farm, where from Germany in 1939. subsequently there was a goods yard that served the builders of the 22. The fountain commemorates the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. new town with a light railway. Council Offices, built 1936 built Offices, Council Most of the pioneer residents commuted daily to jobs in , The Making of the Garden City but by 1930, several industrial firms were providing work locally. After World War I, people wanted “homes fit for heroes”. During the 1930s, many people from depressed areas, such as Ebenezer Howard decided to set up a commercial company to South Wales, sought work in the town. build Welwyn Garden City. This was to be the world’s second garden city, the first being Letchworth, where development had

commenced in 1903 under the guidance of Howard. Letchworth

) (39-42 long mile 1 is 3 Route Garden City was much admired but little copied. Few councils,

and even fewer private companies, were willing to risk such an

is 2.5 miles long (24-38) long miles 2.5 is 2 Route

investment.

is 2 miles long (1-23) long miles 2 is 1 Route

today is as always the best way to appreciate it.” appreciate to way best the always as is today

clockwise around it, in order to start the trail in Bridge Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Road. Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge in in in in in in in in in in trail trail trail trail trail trail trail trail trail trail the the the the the the the the the the start start start start start start start start start start to to to to to to to to to to order order order order order order order order order order in in in in in in in in in in it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, around around around around around around around around around around clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise clockwise “To walk in the Garden City City Garden the in walk “To architect Louis de Soissons, said: said: said: Soissons, Soissons, de de Louis Louis architect architect

The Campus has a one way system and you will need to travel travel travel travel travel travel travel travel travel travel travel to to to to to to to to to to need need need need need need need need need need will will will will will will will will will will you you you you you you you you you you and and and and and and and and and and system system system system system system system system system system way way way way way way way way way way one one one one one one one one one one a a a a a a a a a a has has has has has has has has has has Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus Campus The The The The The The The The The The embroideries of flowers. Maurice de Soissons, son of the town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s the the the the the the the the the the of of of of of of of of of of son son son son son son son son son son Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, Soissons, de de de de de de de de de de Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice Maurice flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. flowers. of of of of of of of of of of embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries embroideries

embroideries of flowers. Maurice de Soissons, son of the town’s town’s the of son Soissons, de Maurice flowers. of embroideries Early houses completed on Handside Lane, 1922 Note for road users: road for Note II Coronation in 1953, majestic close cut lawns and colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful colourful and and and and and and and and and and lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns lawns cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut close close close close close close close close close close majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic majestic 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, 1953, in in in in in in in in in in Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation Coronation II II II II II II II II II II

crown. It features a famous fountain built for Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Elizabeth Queen Queen Queen Queen Queen Queen Queen Queen for for for for for for for for built built built built built built built built fountain fountain fountain fountain fountain fountain fountain fountain famous famous famous famous famous famous famous famous a a a a a a a a features features features features features features features features It It It It It It It It crown. crown. crown. crown. crown. crown. crown. crown.

crown. It features a famous fountain built for Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth Queen for built fountain famous a features It crown. The cul-de-sac street pattern was favoured, with small blocks of on foot. foot. foot. foot. foot. on on on on on Today Parkway, in the town centre, is the jewel in the town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s town’s the the the the the the the the the in in in in in in in in in jewel jewel jewel jewel jewel jewel jewel jewel jewel the the the the the the the the the is is is is is is is is is centre, centre, centre, centre, centre, centre, centre, centre, centre, town town town town town town town town town the the the the the the the the the in in in in in in in in in Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Parkway, Today Today Today Today Today Today Today Today Today

Today Parkway, in the town centre, is the jewel in the town’s town’s the in jewel the is centre, town the in Parkway, Today houses mainly in the “neo-Georgian” style. The planners tried although we suggest that you tackle them separately if touring touring touring touring touring touring touring touring touring touring if if if if if if if if if separately separately separately separately separately separately separately separately separately them them them them them them them them them tackle tackle tackle tackle tackle tackle tackle tackle tackle you you you you you you you you you that that that that that that that that that suggest suggest suggest suggest suggest suggest suggest suggest suggest we we we we we we we we we although although although although although although although although although

although we suggest that you tackle them separately if touring touring if separately them tackle you that suggest we although Parkway South in 1954

hard to avoid an east-west division between tenants and owner- They should take about 1.5 hours by car or 2.5 hours on foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, foot, on on on on on on on on hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 or or or or or or or or car car car car car car car car by by by by by by by by hours hours hours hours hours hours hours hours 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 about about about about about about about about take take take take take take take take should should should should should should should should They They They They They They They They

open spaces. spaces. open occupiers, but this was exacerbated by the industrial development The three trails are 6.5 miles long in total. total. in long miles 6.5 are trails three The easy reach of the countryside and have their own gardens and and and and and and and and and gardens gardens gardens gardens gardens gardens gardens gardens own own own own own own own own their their their their their their their their have have have have have have have have and and and and and and and and countryside countryside countryside countryside countryside countryside countryside countryside the the the the the the the the of of of of of of of of reach reach reach reach reach reach reach reach easy easy easy easy easy easy easy easy easy reach of the countryside and have their own gardens and and gardens own their have and countryside the of reach easy For Welwyn Garden City, Howard chose an area south of Welwyn

along the main railway line. People coming to live here would enjoy working and living within within within within within within within within within within within living living living living living living living living living living and and and and and and and and and and working working working working working working working working working working enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy enjoy would would would would would would would would would would here here here here here here here here here here live live live live live live live live live live to to to to to to to to to to coming coming coming coming coming coming coming coming coming coming People People People People People People People People People People

People coming to live here would enjoy working and living within within living and working enjoy would here live to coming People and Digswell, then largely agricultural land owned by Lord

Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. and Lord Desborough. It was flat, conveniently near to

The early residents were active in all sorts of self-help groups and You can park your car at Campus West, with free parking on on on on parking parking parking free free free with with with West, West, West, Campus Campus Campus at at at car car car your your your park park park can can can You You You congested cities. cities. congested London and already had good road and rail links.

societies. Thus, they provided the services necessary in a very where people could live, work and raise their families away from from from away away families families their their raise raise and and work work live, live, could could people people where where

where people could live, work and raise their families away from from away families their raise and work live, could people where young and somewhat Spartan new town. The formation of the recommend that you walk or cycle, as the roads can be busy. busy. be can roads the as cycle, or walk you that recommend Howard. Howard planned ‘a town designed for healthy living’ living’ healthy for designed town ‘a planned Howard Howard. Much of the practical work was done by architects and planners

Welwyn Garden City Urban District Council in 1927 confirmed the our delightful Garden City. You can drive around them, but we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but but them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, them, around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around around drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive drive can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can can You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You You City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. City. Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden Garden delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful delightful our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our our of social reformer and town planning pioneer Sir Ebenezer Ebenezer Sir pioneer planning town and reformer social of like Louis de Soissons and Frederic Osborn. Distinct commercial,

town’s civic identity. The Town Trails are a fascinating way to find out more about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about about more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more more out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find find to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating fascinating a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are are Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Trails Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town Town The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The Internationally acclaimed Welwyn Garden City was the vision vision the was City Garden Welwyn acclaimed Internationally civic and industrial zones were laid out, surrounded by housing.

From 1945, Ebenezer Howard’s ideas were accepted more widely Further information and places to visit. and town planning was given greater priority. Ironically, this led to Mill Green Museum and Mill Welwyn Roman Baths Welwyn Garden City the buying-out of the Welwyn Garden City Company by the New Mill Green Welwyn Bypass Road Town Development Corporation. Most of the New Town housing Hatfield AL9 5PD Welwyn AL6 9FG is not in the “neo-Georgian” style, but the Garden City’s greenness Tel: 01707 271362 Tel: 01707 271362 Town Trails has been respected. The Development Corporation, superseded Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] in 1966 by the Commission for the New Towns, re-housed many www.welhat.gov.uk/museum www.welhat.gov.uk/romanbaths Londoners in the town.

Hertfordshire Archives and First Garden City Heritage Museum The town boasts one of the finest collections of English domestic Local Studies 296 Norton Way South architecture of the last century where the design of houses has Register Office Block Letchworth Garden City SG6 1SU Welwyn Stores, 1949 CHR 002 County Hall Tel: 01462 482710 been integrated with that of the planned town into its garden Pegs Lane Email: [email protected] city streetscape. It is recognised worldwide for its contribution to SG13 8EJ www.gardencitymuseum.org and planning and has inspired New Towns in many Tel: 0300 123 4049 other countries. Further Reading Email: [email protected] Welwyn Garden City Society www.hertsdirect.org/hals www.wgcsoc.org.uk Ebenezer Howard, “Garden Cities of Tomorrow” (Illustrated edition), Dodo Press, 2009

We can provide information in different Out of print, but available through the formats or give other assistance where Library Service needed. Please call 01707 357000 or Discover the history of the town R J Busby, “The Book of Welwyn”, Barracuda Books, 1976 email [email protected] M de Soissons, “Welwyn Garden City: A Town Designed for Healthy with three walking routes to enjoy. Living”, Publications for Companies, 1988

This leaflet has been brought together with the help of the Welwyn Garden City Society 01747/Communications/Sept10/F/C A great way to spend a day. R Filler, “A History of Welwyn Garden City”, Phillimore, 1986 Putting People First. www.welhat.gov.uk The completed Parkway, 1930 J Moss-Eccardt, “Ebenezer Howard: an illustrated life of Sir Ebenezer Howard 1850-1928”, 1973.