Hertfordshire Genealogy: Places: Buntingford

Buntingford (4 miles N.W.) is on the river Rib, and has developed astride the busy trunk road A. 10 (Ermine Street) and retains a number of picturesque old houses and inns. Edward III granted a market and fair here against a yearly rent of 6d. St. Peter's Church was built early in the 17th century as a chapel-of- ease to Layston. The almshouses on Market Hill, founded in 1684, by Seth Ward of Aspenden who became successively Bishop of Exeter and Salisbury, form an interesting group of mellowed buildings.

In the High Street is the ancient Town Clock over the premises owned by the Buntingford Charity Trust. This well-known clock is over 500 years old and has an interesting history.

Between Buntingford and Hare Street, Hormead, is the 17th century residence of Alswick Hall. A mile to the north-east, in Saxon times, was the village of Laystone, but nothing now remains here except the original parish church, now disused. The church was of flint construction with Roman bricks incorporated and dates from 13th century.

Buntingford is the only parish in the Rural District where limited expansion is taking place in accordance with the County Development Plan, and the new large depot recently established there by J. Sainsbury Limited has necessitated the provision of many new houses to accommodate the families of employees. Considerable private residential development has also recently taken place here and the population of Buntingford, is likely to increase to approximately 4,500. With this expansion the Council have recognised the need to provide additional facilities and land has recently been acquired for open space purposes and it is anticipated that works relating to the construction of a public car park will shortly be commenced.

Layston Church
Regal Art Publishin Co (R.A.P. Ltd) - possibly mid 20th century

Town Clock and High Street, Buntingford

E E Darville, Stationer

Phototyped in Frankfurt

Buntingford showing the George and Dragon Public House
Robert H Clark Series card circa 1905, scan kindly supplied by Theresa Smith

Title: Hig Street, Buntingford - Publisher: A?? Day, No 106 - Date: Used 1920

Buntingford High Street showing the shop of Archie Goodwin Day, Stationer (1922 Kelly's Directory) and the Angel Public House. Posted 1920

Web: The East Herts District Council web page also contain a page containing some historical information, and links to other possibly relevant web sites.

River Walk - Frith post card
(An earlier postcard from a similar viewpoint is entitled "Buntingford, Pig's Nose")

Quick links to extra postcard images. click on thumbnail picture
Layston Church	Layston Church	Layston Church
Coles Park

If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.