IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Holywell Hill, ST. ALBANS, AL1 1HF

Former waterworks building dating from 1911, situated close to where Holywell Hill crosses the River Ver. It now houses a nursery school. Locally listed.

Built 1908. Now Abbey View Nursery & Pre-school.

Looking up Holywell Hill, with the former Duke of Marlborough pub (now 5 Grove Road following conversion to residential use in 2014) on the left. All the buildings here date from the mid 19th century, with the row of cottages beyond being named Spencer Place in late 19th century maps. Compare Image for a similar scene from 2011. Near here, to the right of the present road at a point opposite the top end of the row of cottages, once stood Holywell House, a Tudor mansion the extension of whose gardens in the late 17th century led to the diversion of the original straight route of Holywell Hill to the west, to follow the route of what is now Grove Road, the start of which can be seen in front of the former pub and the end of which is beyond the cottages. From 1684, the house was owned by John Churchill, later first Duke of Marlborough, who had come into its ownership following his marriage to Sarah Jennings. The Duke died in 1722, leaving Sarah as sole owner, who then in 1744 passed it to her grandson, John Spencer, who in turn passed it to his son, another John, who later became the first Earl Spencer of Althorp (from whom Lady Diana Spencer was descended). The family stopped using the house in the early 19th century (although retaining ownership of various lands in and around St Albans, with road names such as Jennings Road, Althorp Road, Marlborough Road and Spencer Mews maintaining the connection). The house was demolished in 1837, and this enabled the corporation of St Albans to reinstate the direct route up Holywell Hill, as seen here. The name of the former pub and the former name of the cottages both commemorate the former owners of the estate. Both the former pub and the cottages are locally listed.

Looking up Holywell Hill, with the Duke of Marlborough pub on the left. All the buildings here date from the mid 19th century, with the row of cottages beyond being named Spencer Place in late 19th century maps. Near here, to the right of the present road at a point opposite the top end of the row of cottages, once stood Holywell House, a Tudor mansion the extension of whose gardens in the late 17th century led to the diversion of the original straight route of Holywell Hill to the west, to follow the route of what is now Grove Road, the start of which can be seen in front of the pub and the end of which is beyond the cottages. From 1684, the house was owned by John Churchill, later first Duke of Marlborough, who had come into its ownership following his marriage to Sarah Jennings. The Duke died in 1722, leaving Sarah as sole owner, who then in 1744 passed it to her grandson, John Spencer, who in turn passed it to his son, another John, who later became the first Earl Spencer of Althorp (from whom Lady Diana Spencer was descended). The family stopped using the house in the early 19th century (although retaining ownership of various lands in and around St Albans, with road names such as Jennings Road, Althorp Road, Marlborough Road and Spencer Mews maintaining the connection). The house was demolished in 1837, and this enabled the corporation of St Albans to reinstate the direct route up Holywell Hill, as seen here. The name of the pub and the former name of the cottages both commemorate the former owners of the estate. Both the pub and the cottages are locally listed. In the background is can be seen the tower of St Albans Abbey.

The former Duke of Marlborough pub, now 5 Grove Road following conversion to residential use in 2014. The building dates from the mid 19th century. Locally listed.

Water pumping buildings in Holywell Hill. The nearest building, formerly the water company offices, dates from 1911 and now houses a nursery school. the other buildings, which are Edwardian, are still in use as a pumping station.

At the junction with Holywell Hill.

Looking along Holywell Hill.

Mid 19th Century terraced houses built following the demolition of Holywell House, home of Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, which had been demolished in 1837 when the present route of Holywell Hill was created, replacing the previous route along Grove Road. Although not now formally used, this stretch of Holywell Hill is shown on older maps as Spencer Place, presumably in commemoration of the Spencer family of which the Duchess was part.