IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Broadway, HATFIELD, AL9 5BG

Probably built in C16. See http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-158458-the-eight-bells-public-house-hatfield-he for entry in British Listed Buildings. The building has been used as a pub since at least 1728. It was known as the Five Bells until around 1730 when the number of bells in St Etheldreda's church was increased to 8. Charles Dickens visited Hatfield in 1835 as a journalist to cover the death of the 1st Marchioness of Salisbury in a fire at Hatfield House. Later he included a scene in a Hatfield pub (widely believed to be the Eight Bells) in Oliver Twist.

Grade II Listed former Rose and Crown alehouse. Probably a 15th century building. A postcard of around 1900-1905 shows a line drawing of the alehouse in 1745 and claims it to be frequented by Dick Turpin, a claim made by the Eight Bells two doors down. By 1756 it was apparently called the 'Mitre' although from around this time it was owned by farmer John Jackson and occupied by William Neale, a tailor. In the 1820s glover and tailor William Hankin was in business here who moved out around 1840 to No.38.

Corner of Park Street and Fore Street Old Hatfield.

The church website, http://www.marychurch-stm.org.uk/ says ‘ Marychurch is a modern (1970) round church near to Hatfield Station and Hatfield House’. Marychurch was designed by the architect George Mathers, assisted by Barry Thomas and was built by the firm of G Davies and Sons of Stanstead Abbotts.

The Salisbury Restaurant, 20 The Broadway was formerly the Salisbury Hotel. It was built as a temperance hotel in 1885. Archived papers of the 6th Marquess of Salisbury include reference to the hotel redevelopment in 1982-5 but they are currently closed for access. A search of various Kelly's and Post Office directories in the 19th century strangely produced no results.

'The Eight Bells' inn is described by Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist as a temporary resting place for Bill Sykes, on the run from central London, after murdering Nancy. The inn stands on the corner of Fore Street and Park Street.

Grade II Listed early 19th century house, formerly a butchers shop. Ground floor double shop front converted around 1971 with canopy hood and iron hooks retained. One of Hatfields oldest buildings a property has stood there for about 500 years. Known locally as Butler's it was formerly on what was called Front Street in the 17th century. Martyn Lewer a plumber and glazer moved in about 1704. His son Tite took over in 1731 and his son William in 1746. The property was then sold to Thomas Parrot in about 1774. This is when it was converted to a butchers with abattoir. 1780 it was occupied by Edmund Simkins who also farmed livestock and it moved around the family until 1909. Rented to a Mr. Horne for a short period it became vacant until in 1913 it was let to St. Albans butchers and brothers Frederick and Thomas Butler (hence the name) who purchased it in 1921. The last butcher here, in October 1971 he sold it for £12,000 only for it to be sold again three years later for £40,000. In April 1973 a soft furnishing company was registered here, moving registered office in 1987 it was subsequently converted into flats but is presently a single family dwelling house.