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Sights in Hitchin
Hitchin is a historic market town in the English county of Hertfordshire. It is situated in the north of the county, on the border with Bedfordshire. Hitchin is about 30 miles (48 km) north of London.
The town is served by Hitchin railway station. The first recorded mention of the town is from the 9th century, when it is noted as the central place of the Hundred of Broadmead. The name “Hitchin” is first recorded in 1209. The town became notable for its large grain and maltster businesses during the medieval period.
The town was granted a charter to hold a market in 1200, and soon developed a thriving market culture. By the 14th century, Hitchin was the third largest town in Hertfordshire, after St Albans and Hertford.
The town suffered from the Black Death in the mid14th century, but recovered to become an important wool town in the 15th century. The town was frequently visited by royalty during this period.
During the civil war, the town was a Parliamentarian stronghold. It was raided by Royalist troops in 1643, but fell to the Parliamentarians after a twoday siege in 1644.
The town became an important coaching stop on the LondonCambridge route in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Turnpike Road Act of 1707 made the Ermine Street, on which Hitchin is located, a turnpike road.
The Great North Road (now the A1), turnpiked in the 1750s, ran through the town, and numerous coaching inns were established to cater for the needs of travellers.
The town continued to prosper during the Industrial Revolution, with several mills established along the River Hiz. The coming of the railways in the 19th century brought further prosperity, and Hitchin was linked to London and the Midlands by the Midland Railway in 1857.
The town’s growth was halted by the Great War, but resumed in the 1920s. Hitchin was designated a new town in the 1950s, and has since expanded to become a prosperous market town once again.
The town centre is home to a number of historic buildings, including the Market Place, St Mary’s Church, and the George Hotel. The town also has a number of museums, art galleries, and theatres.
The surrounding countryside is popular for walking, cycling, and horse riding, and there are a number of country parks and nature reserves in the area.
Hitchin is a thriving market town with a rich history and a variety of attractions to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for the shops, the sights, or the countryside, Hitchin is sure to have something to offer.
History of Hitchin
Hitchin is a historic market town in the North Hertfordshire district in England. It is situated in the west of the county, close to the border with Bedfordshire. The town has a population of around 33,000.
The origins of Hitchin are uncertain. It is first recorded as the central place of the Hicce people in 673, a tribe settled in England before the arrival of the AngloSaxons.
The name may mean “the stockade (hich) by the river”, reference to a defensive structure set up to protect the early inhabitants from marauding bands of robbers and wild animals.
Or it could derive from the Old English “hicce”, meaning “dry”, which would describe the local stream, the majority of which runs underground.
The town grew up around the River Hiz, which is a tributary of the River Lea. The River Hiz is now culverted through the centre of Hitchin.
In the 12th century, Hitchin was granted a charter by King Henry I, making it a market town. The charter also allowed for the construction of St. Mary’s Church.
The market was originally held in the High Street, but was moved to the Market Place in the early 14th century.
Hitchin prospered as a market town and became an important stop on the coaching route between London and the North. Many inns were built to accommodate the travellers.
The town’s importance declined somewhat in the 19th century with the coming of the railways, although Hitchin station still serves as a stop on the East Coast Main Line.
Despite this, Hitchin remained a prosperous town, with a number of successful industries, including brewing, corn milling and silk production.
The town is still known for its market, which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. The market square is home to the historicMarket House, built in 1766.
There are a number of historic buildings in Hitchin, including the 15th century Manor House, once the home of the Duke of Kent, and Hitchin Priory, a 12th century Augustinian priory.
Hitchin is also home to the preserved working steam engine, the Royal George. This engine worked at the nearby Baldock Mill until 1947. It is now on display at the Watermill Museum in Hitchin.
Vacation in Hitchin
Hitchin is a historic market town in the North Hertfordshire district of England with a rich heritage and a wide range of visitor attractions. The town is twinned with SaintOmer in France and has a population of over 33,000. Hitchin is just 30 miles north of London and is easily accessible by train from Kings Cross station.
The town center retains its medieval character with a market square and numerous ancient buildings. The most notable of these is St. Mary’s Church which dates back to the 12th century. The church is home to the remains of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress.
There are a number of other historic buildings worth visiting in Hitchin including the Hitchin Priory, the Court House and the Old Fire Station. The town also has a number of museums including the North Hertfordshire Museum, which tells the story of the area from prehistoric times to the present day.
Hitchin has a thriving arts scene with a number of galleries and live music venues. The town also hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year.
If you are looking for a relaxed and historic vacation destination with plenty to see and do, then Hitchin is the perfect place for you.
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