Hertfordshire Genealogy: Places: Wormley

Wormley is in the south-east corner of Hertfordshire, and sandwiched between Cheshunt and Broxboume. It is unusual since it retains the long rectangular shape of a Saxon village, rising from the low-lying river Lee to the high ground bordering the Lee valley, and lies almost due east to west. It is traversed by two major roads, a railway line and a canal, which divide the village into several quite distinct areas. Beside the river Lee is an area of old flood plain and marshland which was once covered by glass-houses and was a major region for the production of salad crops. This trade has become uneconomic in competition with warmer countries and the land is now in the process of development as part of the huge Lee Valley Regional Park which covers some 23 miles from London to Ware. The marshland ends at the London to Cambridge railway line and just over the level crossing is a dense area of housing, some old and newer housing estates with a well-used Community Centre and a separate Over 60s Centre. ... At the top of the hill stands Wormley Church, half a mile from today's village. It was founded well over 900 years ago and was originally administered by Waltham Abbey. At the extreme western end of the village is a remnant of our Roman history, in the form of a grassy track through woodland) all that is left of the once-busy London to York Roman road called Ermine Street.

Dr David Hughson's Description of London, published circa 1810 include a view of Wormleybury.

Book: Wormley in Hertfordshire - a well researched local history, with a good index and bibliography and a sketch map of the parish in 1908.

Title: High Road Wormley - Published: H. Bigg, Wormley - Date: Posted 1906 - back inland message only.
Wormley High Street

The house on the left is identified by Elsie (the sender of the card in 1906) as the house where her washerwoman lived. Next to it is The Plough (John Osbourne, farrier & beer retailer in 1902 & 1908 - name of beerhouse not given but identified in Hertfordshire Inns) and the shop in the house opposite is Wormley Post Office, with "Stratfords" over the door (Miss Mary Catherine Stratford, fancy statioiner, Post Office, Not listed 1908). The card was published by H. Bigg of Wormley. (in 1908 listed as Hy. Bigg, draper & stationer, Post Office. He was simply listed as draper in 1902). Source: Kelly's Directories.

The Square, Wormley, showing the Globe Hotel, selling Christie's Ale. Also a later business card for the Globe Hotel, with T. Stower, proprietor. (see Postcards of Hertfordshire Pubs)

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

Quick links to extra postcard images. click on thumbnail picture
Wormley Church	Wormley Church Interior