Hitchin

Market town in Hertfordshire, England

For other uses, see Hitchin (disambiguation).

Human settlement in England

Hitchin

View from Market Square in Hitchin, with St Mary's Church in the background

Hitchin

Location within Hertfordshire

Population| 35,220 (Built up area, 2021)[1]
OS grid reference| TL181292
District|

* North Hertfordshire

Shire county|

* Hertfordshire

Region|

* East

Country| England
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| HITCHIN
Postcode district| SG4, SG5
Dialling code| 01462
Police| Hertfordshire
Fire| Hertfordshire
Ambulance| East of England
UK Parliament|

* Hitchin

List of places

England
Hertfordshire

51°56′49″N 0°16′59″W﻿ / ﻿51.947°N 0.283°W﻿ / 51.947; -0.283

Hitchin (/ˈhɪtʃɪn/) is a market town in the North Hertfordshire district of Hertfordshire, England. The town dates from at least the 7th century. It lies in the valley of the River Hiz at the north-eastern end of the Chiltern Hills. It is 16 miles (26 km) north-west of the county town of Hertford, and 35 miles (56 km) north of London. The population at the 2021 census was 35,220.

Hitchin grew around a market place and the adjoining parish church of St Mary on the western banks of the River Hiz. At the southern end of the town centre is Hitchin Priory, a former monastery dating back to 1317, which was partially rebuilt into a large country house with extensive parkland following the dissolution of the monasteries. The ancient parish of Hitchin covered a large rural area as well as the town itself, including several hamlets which subsequently became separate parishes, including Langley, Preston, St Ippolyts and Walsworth.

The town's economy was historically based on serving as the market town for the surrounding agricultural area, which was primarily arable with some sheep farming. Lavender has long been grown in the fields around the town, and an early industry in the town was lavender distilleries.

The Great Northern Railway built its main line from London King's Cross to York through the town; Hitchin railway station opened with the line in 1850. The Cambridge line opened shortly afterwards, diverging from the main line just north of Hitchin, which therefore became an important junction station. The A1 motorway passes Hitchin a short distance to the east. The town's historic character and accessibility make it popular with commuters.

## History

[edit]

Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people, a tribe holding 300 hides of land as mentioned in a 7th-century document,[2] the Tribal Hidage. Hicce, or Hicca, may mean the people of the horse.[3] The tribal name is Old English and derives from the Middle Anglian people.[4][5] The ancient Icknield Way runs just north of Hitchin, passing through the neighbouring village of Ickleford. It has been suggested that Hitchin was the location of 'Clofesho', the place chosen in 673 by Theodore of Tarsus the Archbishop of Canterbury during the Synod of Hertford, the first meeting of representatives of the fledgling Christian churches of Anglo-Saxon England, to hold annual synods of the churches as Theodore attempted to consolidate and centralise Christianity in England.[6][7]

By 1086 Hitchin is described as a Royal Manor in Domesday Book: the feudal services of avera and inward, usually found in the eastern counties, especially Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire,[8] were due from the sokemen,[9] but the manor of Hitchin was unique in levying inward.[9] Evidence has been found to suggest that the town was once provided with an earthen bank and ditch fortification,[10] probably in the early tenth century[11] but this did not last. The modern spelling of the town first appears in 1618 in the "Hertfordshire Feet of Fines".[2]

Panel representing the foundational history of Hitchin mentioning: King Offa, the River Hiz and the Hicce tribe. Now on the front of Hitchin Library.

The name of the town also is associated with the small river that runs through it, most picturesquely in front of the east end of St. Mary's Church, the town's parish church. The river is noted on maps as the River Hiz. Contrary to how most people now pronounce the name, that is to say as spelt, the 'z' is an abbreviated character for a 'tch' sound in the Domesday Book[12] (as in the name of the town). It would have been pronounced 'River Hitch'. The Hicca Way is an eight-mile (thirteen-kilometre) walking route along the River Hiz Valley, believed to have been used for trade between the Danes and English in the Anglo-Saxon age.[3] It is also likely that Hitch Wood, which lies some six miles (ten kilometres) south of the town also derives its name from the Hicce tribe, who gave their name to Hitchin.[13]

St Mary's, the Hitchin parish church

St Mary's Church is remarkably large for a town of its size and was once a minster. The size of the church is evidence of how Hitchin prospered from the wool trade. It is the largest parish church in Hertfordshire.[14] Most of the church dates from the 15th century, with its tower dating from around 1190. During the laying of a new floor in the church in 1911, foundations of a more ancient church building were found. In form, they appear to be a basilican church of a 7th-century type, with a later enlarged chancel and transepts, perhaps added in the 10th century. This makes the church older than the story (not recorded before the 15th century) that the church was founded by Offa, king of Mercia 757-796.

In 1697, Hitchin (and the nearby village of Offley) were subject to what is thought to have been the most severe hailstorm in recorded British history. Hailstones over 4 inches in diameter were reported.[15]

Lavender fields near Hitchin

In the High Medieval Period the town was surrounded by open arable fields, divided into shotts and narrow strips, that survived into the early 19th century. The town flourished on the wool trade, the sheep being pastured on the high hills to the south. By the 17th century the town was a staging post for coaches coming from London. By the middle of the 19th century, the railway had arrived, and with it a new way of life for Hitchin. Hitchin established itself as a major centre for grain trading after the Corn Exchange was built in the market place in 1853.[16] Hitchin was also a centre for manufacturing products from the lavender which was cultivated in the surrounding area, with multiple lavender distilleries operating in the town.[17]

The latter half of the 20th century has also brought great changes in communication to Hitchin. Motorways have shortened the journey time and brought Luton, a few miles away on the M1, and the A1 (M) even closer. By the close of the 20th century, Hitchin had developed a strong commuter interest being midway between London and Cambridge. Hitchin also developed a fairly strong Sikh community based around the Walsworth area.

During the medieval period, both a priory (Newbigging, now known as The Biggin) and a friary (now known as Hitchin Priory) were established, both of which closed during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries. They were never reformed, although The Biggin was for many years used as almshouses.

The British Schools Museum in Hitchin is home to the world's only surviving complete Lancasterian Schoolroom, which was built in 1837 to teach boys by the Lancasterian method (peer tutoring). This unique community project demonstrates the foundation of education for all.

Girton College – a pioneer in women's education – was established on 16 October 1869 under the name of College for Women at Benslow House in Hitchin, which was considered to be a convenient distance from Cambridge and London. It was thought to be less 'risky' and less controversial to locate the college away from Cambridge in the beginning. The college moved to Cambridge a few years later and adopted its present name, Girton College.

## Governance

[edit]

Hitchin is in the district of North Hertfordshire. There is no town council in Hitchin, which is an unparished area, administered directly by North Hertfordshire District Council, with higher order functions provided by Hertfordshire County Council.[18] Residents elect 13 members to the North Hertfordshire District Council. There are five electoral wards in Hitchin: Bearton, Highbury, Oughton, Priory and Walsworth. The 13 Hitchin councillors on the district council meet as the Hitchin Committee.[19]

The town is represented in Parliament by the constituency of Hitchin. The incumbent Labour Party MP for the former Mid Bedfordshire constituency Alistair Strathern was elected in 2024. Before 1997 Hitchin was included in the constituency of North Hertfordshire. From 1997–2024 it was in the constituency of Hitchin and Harpenden.

### Parish

[edit]

The ancient parish of Hitchin covered an extensive rural area as well as the town itself, including Langley, Preston and St Ippolyts; the latter became a separate parish in the middle ages. The parish of Hitchin was administered by its vestry, in the same way as most rural areas; no borough corporation was established for the town, despite some limited moves in that direction in the thirteenth century.[20] Hitchin also gave its name to one of the hundreds of Hertfordshire. The Hitchin Poor Law Union was established in 1835, covering the parish of Hitchin and many of the surrounding parishes in north-western Hertfordshire, plus the parish of Holwell which was in Bedfordshire.[21] In 1891 the parish had a population of 9,510.[22]

Hitchin

Local Board of Health District (1850–1858)
Local Government District (1873–1894)
Urban District (1894–1974)

Town Hall, Brand Street, Hitchin

Coat of arms
Population|
• 1901| 10,072
• 1971| 27,625[23]
History|
• Created| 1850 (first creation)
1873 (second creation)
• Abolished| 31 March 1974
• Succeeded by| North Hertfordshire
• HQ| Hitchin
Contained within|
• County Council| Hertfordshire

### Local Board

[edit]

In 1850 a local board of health was established for the town. Such boards were created under the Public Health Act 1848, and were focussed on improving public health in towns. The first election to the Hitchin Local Board was held on 2 May 1850.[24] The board proceeded to build a waterworks and install new sewers for the town, which had previously used the River Hiz as a public sewer. However, the board quickly became embroiled in legal disputes with Joshua Ransom, owner of Grove Mill, who complained about the flow of water and sewage at his mill. No solution could be found which would allow the board to continue to operate, and gradually all the board members resigned.

By December 1857 the board only had three members, at which point it effectively ceased to function. New members were elected in March 1858, but none was prepared to take the declaration of office unless Ransom accepted an offer of settlement which had been put to him. He did not accept the offer and so the board became defunct, and the town was once again governed by the parish vestry alone.[25] The Times was scathing of the Hitchin Local Board's inability to negotiate a solution, saying "...they simply resigned, like rustics of unfertile brains...".[26] Legal action continued for some years afterwards trying to resolve who was liable for the old board's debts.[27]

In August 1872 sanitary districts were established, with public health and local government responsibilities being given to boards of guardians of the poor law unions for all areas which did not have urban authorities (including local boards). As Hitchin's previous local board was defunct, the town therefore became part of the Hitchin Rural Sanitary District, governed by the Hitchin Board of Guardians. On 31 October 1872 a meeting was held in the town with the aim of securing a new board to allow the town to govern itself independently. A new board was eventually granted, with the first meeting being held on 24 December 1873 at the (old) Town Hall.[28][29]

### Hitchin Urban District

[edit]

Under the Local Government Act 1894, urban sanitary districts became urban districts on 31 December 1894. Hitchin Local Board therefore became Hitchin Urban District Council. The act also stipulated that a parish could not be partly in an urban district and partly outside it. The old parish of Hitchin was therefore split, with the parts outside the urban district becoming the three separate civil parishes of Langley, Preston, and Walsworth with effect from their first parish meetings on 4 December 1894. The three new rural parishes were all included in the Hitchin Rural District.[30]

The Urban District Council took over the existing Town Hall on Brand Street, which had been built in 1840. In 1900 the council built a new Town Hall on the opposite side of the street, incorporating a large public hall. The older building became known as Old Town Hall, but continued to serve as office space for the council in addition to the new Town Hall.[31]

On 1 April 1921, Walsworth parish was abolished and the area was incorporated into Hitchin Urban District.[32]

Hitchin Urban District Council was granted a coat of arms on 25 November 1936.[33]

Hitchin Urban District was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972, becoming part of the district of North Hertfordshire on 1 April 1974. No successor parish was created for the town, and so it became an unparished area.[34]

## Transport

[edit]

### Rail

[edit]

See also: Hitchin railway station

Hitchin railway station is on the East Coast Main Line Great Northern Line, and is also on the Cambridge Line as the last stop before it diverges towards Cambridge, 1.42 kilometres (0.88 mi) to the northeast of Hitchin. The station is a call on services provided by Govia Thameslink Railway under its Great Northern and Thameslink brands. These provide direct connections to Cambridge, Letchworth Garden City, Peterborough and London Kings Cross; as well as St Pancras International, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges and Brighton. Journeys to London and Cambridge typically take 33 minutes. Journeys to Stevenage take 5 minutes, Peterborough 45 minutes, and Gatwick Airport 78 minutes.

Hitchin Rail Users Group serves as the local voluntary group actively consulting with train companies on behalf of local people.

### Road

[edit]

The A505, A600 and A602 roads intersect in Hitchin, which is about three miles (5 km) from the A1(M) motorway and about ten miles (16 km) from the M1 motorway.

### Aviation

[edit]

Hitchin is about 14.48 km (9.00 mi) from Luton Airport, with a direct bus service linking the two. The connections are provided by National Express (number 787) and Arriva in Herts and Essex (100 Saphire services).

### Buses

[edit]

Hitchin is well served by local buses including Arriva, Centrebus, Grant Palmer, Stagecoach and Uno.

## Education

[edit]

See also: List of schools in Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire § Education

There are several primary schools in Hitchin. Secondary education is provided at Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin Boys' School and the Priory School. There is a campus of the North Hertfordshire College in Hitchin, and it is also the home of the Benslow Music Trust which provides music education for adults, while North Herts Music School adjoined to Hitchin Girls' School delivers music lessons & activities for children & young people.

The Emil Dale Academy was formerly located on Wilbury Way in Hitchin before moving to Letchworth.[35] EDA is a drama school where students train and study for a BA (hons) degree in Musical Theatre in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire. The school also has a sixth form and a weekend school.

North Hertfordshire Museum has an extensive collection that tells the story of the town and wider area from prehistoric times. The British Schools Museum is housed in original Edwardian and Victorian school buildings.[36]

## Culture and community

[edit]

The Queen Mother Theatre in the town

In March 2013 a poll in The Times voted Hitchin the 9th best town in the UK in which to live.[37]

Hitchin hosts an annual Arts and Music Festival with over 100 events taking place during the month. Hitchin Festival includes picnics, concerts, theatre, ghost walks, art exhibitions, comedy club, talks, summer fetes and fireworks.[38] Since 2014, Hitchin has hosted a yarn festival.

Music plays a very big part all year round with many venues hosting regular gigs. Hitchin Folk Club is one of the longest running and most respected clubs in the country meeting at The Cricket Pavilion, Lucas Lane on Sunday evenings; Hitchin Light Orchestra, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra and Hitchin Chamber Orchestra give regular concerts often in St Mary's Church and Hitchin Band performs around the country in brass band championship competition as well as the home town.[39]

An independent music venue, Club 85, hosts an "eclectic mix of contemporary bands and DJs" in the area.[40]

There are three theatres in the town. The Factory Playhouse is located on Wilbury Way and is the theatre of Emil Dale Academy. They host several full-scale musicals each year with professional producers, directors, choreographers and West End musicians. The Market Theatre, Hitchin is a professional theatre, has a year-round programme including comedy plays, thrillers, historical shows, jazz nights and cocktail evenings. The Market Theatre is known for its annual Adult Panto (running between December and May) which also tours nationally. Additionally, the Queen Mother Theatre hosts the town's Bancroft Players, Big Spirit Youth Theatre and occasional visiting companies as well as Hitchin Films in the Richard Whitmore Studio.

Hitchin Market remains one of the largest in the area with general markets every Tuesday and Saturday, a bric-a-brac and collectables market on Fridays, and a Sunday Car Boot. There are also Local Produce and Crafts specialist markets on the last Saturday of each month. A Lifestyle market is held on every second Saturday of the month, while infrequently there are occasional Art Markets. Hitchin Markets is also the venue for the annual Duck Race during Hitchin Festival.

The town centre has a wealth of independent retailers in food and drink and fashion and the historic core is a place to find niche boutiques. Since 1995, Hitchin has benefited from award-winning town centre management and in 2009 established one of Hertfordshire's first Business Improvement Districts.[40]

In 2019 the town's centre was a finalist for England in the Visa/UK Government Great British High Street Awards.[41]

There are a number of organisations for young people, including 1066 Hitchin Squadron ATC, Hitchin Army Cadets, Sea Cadets Letchworth and Hitchin, as well as various scouting groups.

The main burial ground for the town is Hitchin Cemetery on St. John's Road.

Hitchin is twinned with:

* Nuits-St-Georges, France
* Bingen am Rhein, Germany

## Sport in Hitchin

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Hitchin" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Top Field, the home ground of Hitchin Town F.C.

### Rugby Union

[edit]

See also: Hitchin Rugby Club

Hitchin Rugby Club was founded in 1954 and competes in rugby union at all age levels within the Hitchin area. This includes teams at ages 7 to 12, 13 to 17, under 19s, seniors, over 35s, and a Ladies side.

The club's highlights have included playing at Twickenham in the final of the national Junior RFU Cup in 1993 and the establishment of the country's first Academy. Currently membership stands at over 500 people. The club are also active as a voluntary group with their community development programme.

### Association Football

[edit]

See also: Hitchin Town F.C.

Hitchin Town F.C. was established in 1865 and later reformed in 1928. It is one of only three clubs who competed in the inaugural FA Cup, paying the then £25 entry fee (£2,892 in 2019 adjusted for inflation),[42] and continue to compete. They claim to be the second oldest club in English football, but some dispute this due to the reformation in the 1920s.[42]

The side currently compete in the Southern League Premier Division Central, the seventh tier of English football. The club play at 4,554-capacity ground Top Field, in the north of the town, and came close to achieving promotion in the late 2010s, but have recently come into a more troubled spell.[42]

Their highlights include wins in the F.A. Cup against higher ranked sides Hereford United in 1994 and Bristol Rovers in 1995 during which period they developed a reputation for "giant-killing".[43]

The side count Hitchin-born England international Jack Wilshere among their supporters. Wilshire studied at the Priory School in the town and now runs a youth scheme called the Jack Wilshere Soccer School.[44]

The club were featured by Sky Sports during their coverage of Non-League Day 2019 (taking place on 12 October each year), with the broadcaster following the match day experience at the club.[42]

### Other sports

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Hitchin" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Hitchin is also home to Blueharts Hockey Club, a leading club since 1946, with 7 men's teams and 7 women's team plus a thriving junior section. It also houses Hitchin Cricket Club, which has been an important cricket club within the area since 1866.

Hitchin Swimming Club are based locally and competes at local, county and regional level.

The Hitchin Nomads Cycling Club, which caters for many competitive and non-competitive cycling disciplines, was formed in the town in 1931. It is affiliated to British Cycling, the Cyclists' Touring Club, Cycling time trials and local cycling associations. Notable former members include pre-eminent cycling travel writer Harold Briercliffe and Max Pendleton, father of Olympic gold-medallist and track cycling World Champion Victoria Pendleton.

Formed in 2003 and known as FVS TRI until November 2009, Team Trisports is a Hitchin-based triathlon club. In addition to triathlon, the club an England Athletics and British Cycling affiliate.

Hitchin Running Club was formed in 2008 and is one of the most popular clubs in the town. They enjoy a large fan base and many local people of all abilities take part in the social activities. They are based at the rugby club and are a not for profit organisation.

## Districts of Hitchin

[edit]

* Bearton
* Benslow
* Poets Estate
* Purwell
* Sunnyside
* Walsworth
* West Hitchin
* Westmill

## Nearby settlements

[edit]

Ickleford is a village situated on the northern outskirts of Hitchin, and to the south are St Ippolyts, Charlton and Gosmore. The nearest towns are Letchworth, Baldock, Stevenage and Luton.

## Notable people

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

See also: Category:People from Hitchin

* Ken Leslie, "The Bishop Who Walked" [45]
* Tim Downie, Actor
* Alison Balsom, Musician
* Dorothy Atkinson, actress
* Guillem Balagué, Spanish football journalist
* James Bay, musician
* Tom Bentley, philanthropist
* Robert Bentley, botanist
* Henry Bessemer, engineer
* The Bleach Boys, Punk Band dating from 1976
* Jennie Bond, journalist
* Sally Bretton, actress
* Harold Briercliffe, cyclist and author
* Drewe Broughton, footballer
* Edward Chapman, publisher
* George Chapman, poet
* Oliver Cheshire, fashion model
* Chris Cleaver, footballer
* Bill Coleman, cricketer
* L. S. Cousins, Buddhist scholar
* Mary Angela Dickens, novelist and granddaughter of Charles Dickens
* Monica Dickens, novelist and great granddaughter of Charles Dickens
* Karl Duguid, footballer
* Willie Duncan, musician
* Gail Emms, badminton player
* Iain Farrington, pianist, composer, arranger
* Ross Flitney, footballer
* Mathew Gates, figure skater
* Martin Gordon, musician
* F.L. Griggs, etcher
* Molly-Mae Hague, social media influencer
* Henry Hawkins, 1st Baron Brampton, judge
* E O Higgins, author
* Reginald Hine, solicitor and historian
* Paul Jesson, actor
* Roy Kettle, author
* Thea King, clarinettist
* Dave Kitson, footballer
* Kane Kramer, inventor of the digital audio player
* Frank Launder, film director
* Joseph Lister, pioneer of antiseptic surgery
* John Lloyd, co-founder of the international design consultancy Lloyd Northover.
* Samuel Lucas, brewer and artist
* Ed Macfarlane, lead singer of the English electronic music band Friendly Fires
* Anne Macnaghten (1908–2000), classical violinist and teacher, lived at 23 Wymondley Road from the late 1960s
* Gavin McInnes, writer, political commentator, founder of the Proud Boys
* Sally Biddulph, journalist and presenter
* Elaine Murray, Scottish politician
* Robert Newman, comedian
* David Noble, footballer
* Arvind Parmar, tennis player
* Caroline Pellew (1882--1963), geneticist, died in Hitchin
* Ian Perkins, Musician
* Kevin Phillips, footballer
* Kevin Pilkington, footballer
* Ian Poulter, golfer
* Pam Rhodes, BBC TV presenter[46]
* Helen Richardson-Walsh, England and Great Britain hockey player
* Michael Robbins, actor
* Andrew Rumsey, Anglican bishop
* Claire Rushbrook, actress
* Robert Tor Russell, architect of New Delhi[47]
* Martin Savage, actor
* Steve Sheppard, B.B.C. Cricket and football commentator and owner of One World Music
* Valerie Singleton, TV presenter
* Richard Walker, angler
* Diana Wallis, politician (MEP)
* Kristiina Wheeler, an English-Finnish singer
* Richard Whitmore, former newsreader
* Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
* Jack Wilshere, footballer
* Henry Wood, conductor
* Second Lieutenant Frank Young, recipient of the Victoria Cross.[48]

## Filmography

[edit]

Mike Leigh's 1982 film Home Sweet Home for BBC Television was set in Hitchin.

Various scenes in Doctor Foster were filmed at the Market Square in Hitchin

Part of the 2010 BBC TV series Just William was filmed at the British Schools Museum.[49]

Scenes from the BBC drama series Doctor Foster were filmed in Hitchin.[50]

The Channel 4 science fiction TV series Humans was also filmed in the town.[51][52]

BBC One "Lens" idents have been filmed at Windmill Hill in Hitchin.[53][54]

Scenes from 2022 film My Policeman were filmed at Hitchin Swimming Centre.[55]

In September 2023, scenes from series 2 of the ITV drama Tell Me Everything were filmed in Hitchin; locations included Windmill Hill and outside St Mary's Church.[56]

## Media

[edit]

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC East and ITV Anglia. Television signals are received from the Sandy Heath TV transmitter. The town's local radio stations are BBC Three Counties Radio on 95.5 FM and Heart Hertfordshire (originally BOB FM) on 106.9 FM. The local newspapers are The Comet and Hertfordshire Mercury.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021". Census 2021. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
2. ^ a b Gover, J E B, Mawer, A and Stenton, F M 1938 The Place-Names of Hertfordshire English Place-Names Society volume XV, 8
3. ^ a b "North-Herts.gov.uk" (PDF).
4. ^ Stenton, Sir Frank (1971). Anglo-Saxon England. Oxford University Press. pp. 43, 296. ISBN 0-19-821716-1.
5. ^ Kessler, P. L. "Kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxons - Middle Angles". The History Files.
6. ^ Offer, Clifford (2002). In search of Clofesho – the case for Hitchin. Norwich: Tessa Publications. ISBN 095421210X. OCLC 49552770.
7. ^ Hindley, The Anglo-Saxons - The beginnings of the English nation, 47.
8. ^ Sir Henry Ellis (1833). A general introduction to Domesday Book: accompanied by indexes of the tenants in chief, and under tenants, at the time of the survey, as wall as of the holders of lands ... Volume 1. Commission on the Public Records. p. 263.
9. ^ a b "Hitchin: Introduction and manors". A History of the County of Hertford. Vol. 3\. 1912. pp. 3–12. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
10. ^ Saunders, G & Winter, M 2009 Brooker's Yard, Hitchin, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Assessment Report The Heritage Network (report 560), 7
11. ^ Fitzpatrick-Matthews, K J & Fitzpatrick-Matthews T 2008 The Archaeology of Hitchin from Prehistory to the Present North Hertfordshire District Council Museums & Hitchin Historical Society
12. ^ Johnston, James B., The Place-Names of England and Wales, London, 1915, p. 305
13. ^ "Preston Herts". Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
14. ^ Madgin, Hugh (2009). Hitchin Through Time. Britain & Ireland: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1848687455.
15. ^ Tailor, Robert (May 1697), "Account of a Great Hailstorm", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (Great Britain); vol. 19, pp. 577-578
16. ^ Historic England. "Former Corn Exchange (1102132)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
17. ^ A History of the County of Hertford: Volume 3. London: Victoria County History. 1912. pp. 3–12. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
18. ^ "Councils and Politics". Hitchin Forum. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
19. ^ "Hitchin Committee". North Hertfordshire District Council. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
20. ^ Page, William (1912). A History of the County of Hertford, Volume 3. London: British History Online. pp. 3–12. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
21. ^ Higginbotham, Peter. "Hitchin Poor Law Union". The Workhouse. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
22. ^ "Population statistics Hitchin AP/CP through time". A Vision of Britain through Time. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
23. ^ "Hitchin Urban District, A Vision of Britain through Time". GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
24. ^ London Gazette, 19 March 1850, page 838
25. ^ Hitchin: The Board of Health & Mr. Joshua Ransom, Hertford Mercury, 10 July 1858, page 3
26. ^ The Times (London), 16 September 1864, page 6
27. ^ Debts of the late Local Board of Health, Beds and Herts Express  (Hitchin), 1 December 1860, page 2
28. ^ Important Sanitary Inquiry at Hitchin, Hertfordshire Express (Hitchin), 2 November 1872, page 3
29. ^ "Minute Book of Hitchin Local Board, 1873-1877". North Hertfordshire Museum. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
30. ^ Local Government Act 1894 (56 & 57 Vict. c. 73)
31. ^ Historic England. "Town Hall (1394494)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
32. ^ The County of Hertford (Hitchin UD) Confirmation Order, 1921 (No. 66416)
33. ^ "Hitchin Urban District Council". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
34. ^ Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)
35. ^ Smith, James (3 September 2024). "WATCH: Take a look inside new Emil Dale Academy as it prepares to open following move to Letchworth". Hitchin Nub News. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
36. ^ "New museum finally opens after six-year argument". 6 July 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
37. ^ Burge, Laura. "Hitchin Voted 9th Best Town In UK". The Comet 24. Archant Community Media Ltd. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
38. ^ Burge, Laura. "Hitchin Festival to launch". The Comet 24. Archant Community Media Ltd. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
39. ^ Mountney, Dan. "Hitchin brass band to play at top level competition for first time in 33 years". The Comet. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
40. ^ a b Maslen, Cherry (24 September 2017). "Going Places: Hitchin". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
41. ^ Thorburn, Jacob. "Hitchin's town centre nominated for national high street award". The Comet. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
42. ^ a b c d Half time rants & last minute equalisers | Experiencing a match day with Hitchin Town, 21 October 2019, retrieved 27 October 2019
43. ^ "FA Cup fourth qualifying round: Cup heroes revisited, Houdini acts and a Barnet bus bonanza". 18 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
44. ^ YOUSIF, EXCLUSIVE BY LAYTH. "EXCLUSIVE: Humble Jack Wilshere backs Mark Burke's battling Hitchin Town as FA Cup date looms - with BBC set to broadcast first round draw from Top Field if Canaries progress". The Comet. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
45. ^ "Bishop who Walked | Bathurst Family History Group Inc". BFHG. Bathurst Family History Group Inc. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
46. ^ "Pam Rhodes". The Speakers Agency. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
47. ^ "Russell, Robert Tor in Oxford Art Online". www.oxfordartonline.com. Retrieved 6 September 2010. (requires login or UK library card)
48. ^ "Second Lieutenant Frank Edward Young VC". www.bedfordregiment.org.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
49. ^ Judge, Ann. "The BBC 'Just William' at Hitchin British Schools". Herts Memories. Hertfordshire County Council. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
50. ^ "Where is Parminster? Is the town in Doctor Foster a real place?". Radio Times. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
51. ^ Mohan-Hickson, Matthew (19 September 2017). "Channel 4's acclaimed drama Humans to film scene in Hitchin". HertsLive. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
52. ^ Asher, Jp (26 September 2017). "In pictures: Channel 4 drama Humans shoots in Hitchin town centre". The Comet. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
53. ^ Yousif, Layth (6 April 2022). "Hitchin: Windmill Hill set to become a familiar sight on the BBC after short video of our town's iconic bench to run between shows". Hitchin Nub News. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
54. ^ "BBC One (2022-Present)". TV Whirl. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
55. ^ Davies, Alan (15 June 2022). "Harry Styles pictured in Hitchin pool in first-look images from new Amazon Prime Video movie My Policeman". The Comet. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
56. ^ Yousif, Layth (22 September 2023). "ITV cameras have been filming in Hitchin town centre this week - find out more". Hitchin Nub News. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hitchin.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hitchin.

* Hitchin Historical Society
* Hitchin Society Archived 24 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
* Historical Map of Hitchin Pubs, an interactive map of Hitchin public houses both current and closed.
* "Hitchin" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.

Places adjacent to Hitchin

| Pirton | Ickleford | Letchworth

|
|

|  |
Little Offley |

Hitchin

| Wymondley
|  |
Great Offley | Charlton | St Ippolyts

* v
* t
* e

Ceremonial county of Hertfordshire

Boroughs or districts|

* Broxbourne
* Dacorum
* East Hertfordshire
* Hertsmere
* North Hertfordshire
* City of St Albans
* Stevenage
* Three Rivers
* Watford
* Welwyn Hatfield

Major settlements
(cities in italics)|

* Baldock
* Berkhamsted
* Bishop's Stortford
* Borehamwood
* Broxbourne
* Buntingford
* Bushey
* Cheshunt
* Chorleywood
* Harpenden
* Hatfield
* Hemel Hempstead
* Hertford
* Hitchin
* Hoddesdon
* Letchworth
* Potters Bar
* Radlett
* Rickmansworth
* Royston
* Sawbridgeworth
* St Albans
* Stevenage
* Tring
* Waltham Cross
* Ware
* Watford
* Welwyn Garden City
See also: List of civil parishes in Hertfordshire

Topics|

* Hertfordshire County Council
* Elections
* Flag
* Parliamentary constituencies
* European Parliament constituency
* Boundary changes
* Places
* Settlements by population
* Lost settlements
* SSSIs
* Grade I listed buildings
* Grade II* listed buildings
* Scheduled monuments
* History
* Lord Lieutenants
* High Sheriffs
* Schools
* Museums
* Windmills
* King George V Playing Fields

* v
* t
* e

Civil parishes in Hertfordshire

Dacorum (partly parished)|

* Aldbury
* Berkhamsted
* Bovingdon
* Chipperfield
* Flamstead
* Flaunden
* Great Gaddesden
* Kings Langley
* Little Gaddesden
* Markyate
* Nash Mills
* Nettleden with Potten End
* Northchurch
* Tring
* Tring Rural
* Wigginton

East Hertfordshire (wholly parished)|

* Albury
* Anstey
* Ardeley
* Aspenden
* Aston
* Bayford
* Bengeo Rural
* Benington
* Bishop's Stortford
* Bramfield
* Braughing
* Brent Pelham
* Brickendon Liberty
* Buckland
* Buntingford
* Cottered
* Datchworth
* Eastwick
* Gilston
* Furneux Pelham
* Great Amwell
* Great Munden
* Hertford
* Hertford Heath
* Hertingfordbury
* High Wych
* Hormead
* Hunsdon
* Little Berkhamsted
* Little Hadham
* Little Munden
* Meesden
* Much Hadham
* Sacombe
* Sawbridgeworth
* Standon
* Stanstead Abbots
* Stanstead St Margarets
* Stapleford
* Stocking Pelham
* Tewin
* Thorley
* Thundridge
* Walkern
* Ware
* Wareside
* Watton-at-Stone
* Westmill
* Widford
* Wyddial

Hertsmere (partly parished)|

* Aldenham
* Elstree and Borehamwood
* Hertsmere Meriden
* Shenley
* South Mimms and Ridge

North Hertfordshire (partly parished)|

* Ashwell
* Barkway
* Barley
* Bygrave
* Caldecote
* Clothall
* Codicote
* Graveley
* Great Ashby
* Hexton
* Hinxworth
* Holwell
* Ickleford
* Kelshall
* Kimpton
* King's Walden
* Knebworth
* Langley
* Lilley
* Newnham
* Nuthampstead
* Offley
* Pirton
* Preston
* Radwell
* Reed
* Royston
* Rushden
* Sandon
* St Ippolyts
* St Paul's Walden
* Therfield
* Wallington
* Weston
* Wymondley

St Albans (partly parished)|

* Colney Heath
* Harpenden Town
* Harpenden Rural
* London Colney
* Redbourn
* Sandridge
* St Michael
* St Stephen
* Wheathampstead

Three Rivers (partly parished)|

* Abbots Langley
* Batchworth
* Chorleywood
* Croxley Green
* Sarratt
* Watford Rural

Welwyn Hatfield (partly parished)|

* Ayot St Lawrence
* Ayot St Peter
* Essendon
* Hatfield
* North Mymms
* Northaw and Cuffley
* Welwyn
* Woolmer Green

Wholly unparished boroughs|

* Broxbourne
* Stevenage
* Watford

See also|

* List of places in Hertfordshire

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Czech Republic
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template