Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon maps (2 available)
Map of Hertfordshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Hertfordshire
Personalised maps
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Hoddesdon books (9 available)
- 3 photos on Hoddesdon appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Hoddesdon
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Hoddesdon and Hertfordshire
Hoddesdon memories
Read and share memories of Hoddesdon and Hertfordshire inspired by Frith photos
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You can also read memories of nearby places in Hertfordshire below.
Hertfordshire memories
The Crown Inn
Not really a memory - rather a request for information. My grandfather, Alfred Pain, was licensee of the Crown Inn from possibly the late 1920s through to the middle 1930s. If anyone has any memories/information/photos of the public house and/or my grandfather's time there, I would be most grateful to hear them.
Incidentally, my mother, Doris Bird, used to live in Hoddesdon Road and it was through working at the Crown that she met my father. Any memories of her or her parents, Florence and Arthur Bird would also be gratefully received
A memory of Stanstead St Margarets contributed by Colin Pain
St Andrew's Church
Wow, I have many fun memories about St Andrew's Church, living next door for many years and being a member in my younger years. To me it was like my second home. Does anyone remember Skipp? He was a lovely man, I got many a telling off for ringing the church bells, which I did on most days ,driving the neighbours crazy until they put new doors on. Not because of me, but things got stolen inside the church, so my bell ringing stopped, and sadly so did the trust for people to visit inside as it sadly had to be locked. Thank you, thieves. I have a lot of love for this church and very happy memories, and remember clearly ...read more here
A memory of Stanstead Abbotts contributed by sonia thompson
Netherfield House
Netherfield House is now up for sale, the estate agent lists it beautifully, I have photos of the house as it was, and am glad to see that the current owners kept it beautifully as a house of that age should be
A memory of Stanstead Abbotts contributed by Marlene Harris
Easneye Children's Home
I have a sketchy memory of my childhood in Easneye, between the ages of around 3-5 years old. I remember my mother dropping me off and being terrified. She said I was having a holiday but never came back for me. All I can remember of my time was the dormitory, just a row of unfriendly beds, and the "farm" with the white wood swing gate that we kids got told off for climbing on. I don't remember much more than having to eat spinach because I got painful leg boils! Apparently this was common in undernourished children of that time. I still hate all vegetables to this day. Does anyone know what this building might have been called? The Mansion ...read more here
A memory of Stanstead Abbotts contributed by Jackie Macklin
Extracts From Hoddesdon & Hertfordshire books
Standing in the High Street at Hoddesdon must be one of the last horse-drawn milk delivery floats in the district (centre right). Just beyond is the Bull Hotel (demolished 1964), whose original sign spanned the whole of the High Street and proved a trial to drivers perched high on their wagons. On the same side are two more public houses which had served the thirsty farmers attending the busy cattle market opposite. It is said that in the 1830s, Hoddesdon supported 28 inns.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
The Standard Vanguard and the police motorcycle stand outside what is now the Roman Catholic Church of St Augustine and the junction with Charlton Way. On the right, the two Ford Populars and the Morris Eight Series 1 tourer are parked outside the Home and Colonial Stores (now a pizza parlour and a video hire shop) and the block of three chain shops - William Bros (who offered customer loyalty tokens avidly collected by children), F W Woolworth and Timothy Whites & Taylors. Today they are an Indian restaurant, a bedding store and the mouth-watering Taste of China restaurant. The London to Ware single-decker bus is about to stop outside the Golden Lion - a cosy timber framed pub with a golden glowing interior lit with real fires and offering fine beers. No need to go hungry in Hoddesdon!
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
The centre of Hoddesdon suffered major changes during the 1960s. The Bull was demolished in 1964, and at the same time the Maidenhead Inn was swept away to make way for the Tower Centre, which was opened in 1967. It was never particularly successful, and the main shopping precinct remains rather dingy and damp. The exterior, which appears attractive, modern and bright in 1965, is now looking out of date and tired. It seems that the optimism of the 1960s has given way to a desire to return to the old ways, and the traditional Hoddesdon shops continue to flourish and attract customers from the surrounding villages and communities.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
In 1901, Hermitage Road was a pleasant, open avenue. The building on the left in view
46642, left, is the Hermitage, home of Frederick Seebohm; very little of it still remains.
Windmill Hill is just visible in the background.
An extract from from"Hitchin Town and City Memories".
A view of St Marys church in 1931, with the War Memorial in the foreground. In 1752, the Rewd William Cole wrote that the tower was `one of the most clumsy and heavy ones I ever saw`. Perhaps `solid` is a kinder description.
An extract from from"Hitchin Town and City Memories".