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A History Tour of Walkern
by Janet Woodall
Walkern is an attractive parish in north east Hertfordshire. It’s village nestles in the valley of a charming chalk stream – the river Beane- surrounded by the small hamlets of Bassus Green, Clay End, Walkern Park and Boxwood.
More than 1000 years of history can be seen around the parish, and this book is a guide to that rich history. Use this guide to enhance a walking tour of the village, stopping at each of our six history boards; let it be your guide to Walkern’s medieval deer park, its rabbit warren, commons and manorial castle. Or stay at home and explore the parish history from the comfort of your armchair.
Listed buildings are found throughout the parish, including medieval ‘hall houses’, an Elizabethan coaching Inn, and a ‘Wealdon House’, which may be as old as the 14th century. Walkern High Street is lined with 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century shops, dwellings, pubs and farms, and is notable for its octagonal Dovehouse, bewery and mill.
These buildings reflect the lives of whose who lived here, from the Saxons who carved a 4ft high crucifix at St Mary’s Church, and Walkern’s 13th century Magna Carta baron, to 19th century bewers, farmers, millers, trades people, shopkeepers, agricultural labourers and strawplaiters. There are tales of political dissertation, religious non-conformity, poverty, crime, punishment and rioting. Set against a backdrop of centuries of ordinary people getting on with their lives.
Janet Woodall, who obtained a PhD at Rothampsted and University College London, has lived in Walkern for 17 years. She helped found Walkern History Society in 2012, and is the current chair.
Cover photo by Hubert Adam
First published in 2014 as a paperback edition of 200 books.
This is now the third publication.