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Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon's present day image owes much to Henry III who granted a weekly market and annual fare on the Feast of St Martin's in 1253. From this time the town grew to be a centre of commence and home to a prosperous market.
Through the centuries wealthy traders built town houses, many of which still survive. One of them, Lowewood , is now a local museum. By the 18th century Hoddesdon had developed into an important coaching centre on the route from London to Cambridge with over 30 inns.
Markets and Fairs
Created 21 June, 2008
Hoddesdon market has had a long history, and for its origin we must go back to the reign of Henry III. In 1253 a Richard de Boxe, received in addition to the grant of free warren for this manor, the grant "to hold a market at his aforesaid manor of Hoddesdon".
Hoddesdon Bank
Created 21 June, 2008
Hoddesdon's first Bank opened in the High Street, on the corner of what we know today as Brocket Road in the 1870s, as a branch of the Hertford bank of Tuke, Lucas and Seebohm.
Myddleton House
Created 21 June, 2008
Standing but a stone's throw west of the Clock Tower, Myddelton House was built about 1600, and after some years as a private residence - probably around 1720 - became an inn known as the Queen's Head.
Samaritan Woman in Hoddesdon
Created 21 June, 2008
The figure of the 'nymph' had stood in the centre of the town for about eighty-five years at this time, and had been mentioned by many writers before Prior, and was to be referred to by many others in the 112 years it had yet to stay there.
Open for Business
Created 21 June, 2008
It was "back to work" with a difference for Hoddesdon postmen and drivers, on September 14th 1964; for on that day the spacious new building housing the G.P.O. Sorting and Postmen's Delivery Office in ConduitLane opened for business.
The Society of Friends in Hoddesdon
Created 21 June, 2008
The Society of Friends, otherwise known as a "Quakers," was early established in Hoddesdon. It is not known for certain whether George Fox, the founder, actually held meetings at Hoddesdon; but he did so at various places between London and Hertford and may have done so here.
The Local Sculptor
Created 21 June, 2008
Mr Charles Giddings, lived in Hoddesdon for 36 years and was the man who modelled the busts of King George V and VI, which were for many years on the Hoddesdon Clock Tower. When the ground floor buildings were demolished in the late 1960s, they were both transferred to Lowewood Museum.
He specialized in the modelling of children, and his panels in relief were often based on episodes taken from the Greek mythology.
The Chapel of St. Katherine in Hoddesdon
Created 21 June, 2008
In the tenth year of Edward III, 1336, William de la Marche, referred to in earlier charters as 'the King's Cook', following a prayer to the King, obtained a grant of 'certain void space belonging to us in Hoddesdon, so that he may build anew on the aforesaid place, a chapel in honour of St Katharine.
Yew House, Hoddesdon
Created 21 June, 2008
There is no record of when Yew House was built but it contained traces of 17th century work. It was refronted in the early part of the 19th century. The garden had its own well, with a supply pipe from Rawdon House.
Hoddesdon Online
Created 21 June, 2008
Your historical and local guide to shops and businesses in the town of Hoddesdon.
This section is currently being updated.