The Clock Tower

Can you imagine a clock tower being erected in honour of a politician?  Well this one was.  Not only that, members of the the public made donations to cover the costs to build it.  However that was back in1895.  Haven't times changed?
The politician was Henry Reader Williams (1822-1897) a local councillor who influenced the style of architecture and protection of the vast green spaces.
The area Crouch End  in north London was on the medieval route north of London.  It became a parish around 1300 but it was not until Victorian times that it really developed.  These days it is a very chichi area surrounded by woods 

Living the Country Life in Hertfordshire

A 15^th century church, a medieval market town, and the parish where the Queen Mum’s birth was registered in 1900.  A list of famous people from here as long as your arm from antiseptic pioneer Joseph Lister to Oliver Cheshire (the face of Calvin Klein).  All this just 23 minutes from London.

Described as a Royal Manor in the Doomsday Book the pretty town of Hitchin has oodles of history to explore. Plus, it’s fun and funky as well. Every summer the “Rythms of the World” festival of world music is held here. An extravaganza of music, dance, arts and cuisine from around the globe, and if that’s not enough a twice weekly market with fabulous wares for sale all year round.

What’s more, Hitchin is just one of the charming towns and quaint villages in the county of Hertfordshire.
The county’s close proximity to the capital and good transport links means it has long been popular with commuters working in London and looking for the tranquillity of a more rural location. In short, Hertfordshire offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful and eco-friendly environment whilst reaping the economic benefits of being so cose to one of the world’s financial capitals – yes folks London.

If sometimes you feel like escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city and would like to live in a more relaxing, greener environment then check out Linden Homes property for sale in Hertfordshire for ideas on price and the type of homes available.

I so enjoyed my day out in Hitchin last weekend that I’m off to look at some of the others of similar ilk in the area. Here’s what they say about themselves:

Watford
The largest town in Hertfordshire, Watford is only 20 minutes away from central London by train. A vibrant and bustling town, Watford is a hub for business and industry with excellent shopping and superb amenities. It has a fantastic selection of pubs and restaurants and all the trappings of London but you can find property much cheaper than in parts of the capital.

St Albans
Hertfordshire’s only city, St Albans is a picturesque location with a rich historical background. Popular with tourists, it has spectacular architecture, excellent shopping and it is just 40 minutes by train from central London, making it one of the most desirable areas in the UK to live.
Hertford
A town steeped in history, Hertford is home to the remains of Hertford Castle which was a royal palace for 300 years. In addition to being a picturesque town with a thriving community, the University of Hertfordshire’s business school is based just outside the town.

End of the Line - Uxbridge

The Metropolitan line has several end points, one being the town of Uxbridge.  I was rather taken aback at the grandiose modernish town hall in the centre of the town.  Above is only one small corner of the building. Built in the early 1970's, it took three years to complete at a cost of £18.5 million. The population of the town at last census was a little of 12,000 which may explain why there was such controversy over it's building and why half of them live in it now. One of the statements in that last sentence may not be entirely true - I leave it up to you to decide which one.

Local Neighbourhood

This image was taken as part of a project I'm working on showing the village aspect of London. Although the population of London is around 7.5 million, it is still in many ways just a collection of villages sitting side by side. A sense of community exists no matter what part of the city you live in.