Junction of Fishpool Street and St Michael's Street

Image: © Ian Capper Taken: 3 May 2012

Fishpool Street and St Michael's Street were once the main road from London to the north west, following the diversion of the former Watling Street up Holywell Hill and then down to St Michaels in the 9th or 10th century. Following the building of Verulam Road by Thomas Telford in 1826, the route lost this status but still served as the road out towards Hemel Hempstead, and when road numbers were introduced in 1922 it former part of the A414 Hemel Hempstead to Chelmsford road. This role in turn ceased in the 1950s or so following the link from Batchwood Drive to Bluehouse Hill and the transfer of that number to Catherine Street, and the roads now form a quiet back route. At the junction of Fishpool Street with St Michael's Street (off to the left in the middle distance) stand two inns, the Black Lion on the right, dating from around 1700, and the Blue Anchor on the left, dating from the late 18th century. Both are grade II listed - see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1172914 and www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103115 respectively. In the background is the grade II listed Kingsbury Mill - for listing particulars see www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1103081.

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