IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Hardwicke Place, ST. ALBANS, AL2 1RY

Despite the drought conditions and the lack of replenishment from the Colne the Long Lake https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/broad-colney-lakes seems fairly full. The lakes are managed by the Middlesex and Hertfordshire Wildlife Trust https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/

Having photographed Image it would be unfair not to submit an image of its very close neighbour, located about 200 metres away down the High Street, but in a different grid square. Although not marked as such on the old Ordnance Survey mapping the pub has existed since at least 1881 when the Census enumerator recorded the following occupants: Robert FROST, Head of the household, married, age 56, born Necton, Norfolk, occupation Farm Foreman (Bailiff) Mary A. FROST, wife, aged 56, born Necton, Norfolk Christina FROST, daughter, unmarried, aged 26, born Necton, Norfolk, occupation Dressmaker Walter FROST, son, unmarried, aged 18, born St Albans, Hertfordshire, occupation Agricultural Labourer Agnes FROST, granddaughter, aged 7, born London Colney, Hertfordshire Charles BENNETT, boarder, widower, aged 57, born Shenley, Hertfordshire, occupation Agricultural Labourer It is interesting to see that the head of the household did not give his primary occupation as the publican. However the old maps show that Sheephouse Farm was just over the road from the pub (where the 1960s flats with the pale orange brickwork are), so maybe Robert Frost was the foreman at that farm. Update August 2011 A correspondent has written to say that the pub closed in late 2009, and by August 2011 the outbuildings beyond the pub had been demolished and new houses were being built. The pub itself is due to be converted into a house. (Pictures of this redevelopment are at Image, Image and Image)

In the wet winter of 1993, which followed nearly three years of drought when the river almost dried up. There is another more current image on this website taken very close to this which shows the usual size and flow of the river and also refers to flooding during 2001/02.

A nearby finger-post indicates this is a footpath to the High Street via a ford. The River Colne would normally be flowing from right to left.

The fine seven arch bridge carrying the main road through London Colney over the River Colne, viewed looking upstream and eastwards. London Colney used to be the last stop on a coaching route from the north into London, and there are two pubs, The Bull and the Green Dragon, on either side of the river. In front of the bridge is a ford.

Traditional pub dating back to 1758 in a pleasant spot overlooking the River Colne

This ford is found along a restricted byway which runs from Bell Lane to the green in London Colney.

Where the Colne enters the east end of the Broad Colney lakes, a former gravel pit.

Looking back upstream along a nearly dry river bed from where the river enters the Broad Colney lakes.

About halfway along the stretch of river between the village green and the Broad Colney lakes