Kings Langley
Kings Langley photos (7 available)
Kings Langley maps (2 available)
Map of Hertfordshire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Hertfordshire
Personalised maps
Create an historic map centred directly on any postcode!
Kings Langley books (11 available)
Stevenage Town Walk Guide
Paperback
- 6 photos on Kings Langley appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Kings Langley
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Kings Langley and Hertfordshire
Kings Langley memories
Read and share memories of Kings Langley and Hertfordshire inspired by Frith photos
Miss Ovaltine
My Mother Joan Simmonds was chosen to be Miss Ovaltine. She was dressed in a costume which is very similar to the famous one which adorns the front of the Ovaltine, and was used on the front of the tins for a while. She was put into a horse drawn cart in this costume, but I am not sure what the occasion was. Her two sisters, Freda and Frances also worked at the Ovaltine. Does anyone have any memories of this please.
Contributed by Gillian Holland
Hertfordshire memories
Miss Ovaltine
My Mother Joan Simmonds was chosen to be Miss Ovaltine. She was dressed in a costume which is very similar to the famous one which adorns the front of the Ovaltine, and was used on the front of the tins for a while. She was put into a horse drawn cart in this costume, but I am not sure what the occasion was. Her two sisters, Freda and Frances also worked at the Ovaltine. Does anyone have any memories of this please.
A memory of Kings Langley contributed by Gillian Holland
Service Quarters Sabine House
We had a lovely middle floor flat here, while my husband was at HMS Warrior, RAF Northwood. Our son was born at the then new maternity hospital, Shrodells at Watford. We had a balcony, and one evening when all our husbands were working, it was three floors, 'The Birds' horror film was on, so when they started attacking the windows, I went on the balcony and chucked some dirt out of my flower pot up at my friend's window who was watching it with the girl from downstairs, hehehe, you should have heard the screams. I also remember my own fridge going BANG in the kitchen, the kitchen had its own little gas fridge. I loved that flat, and used to ...read more here
A memory of Abbots Langley contributed by Loraine Roles
Pridgeons Ltd, our family shop in Breakspeare Road
Pridgeons Ltd, in Garden Road, Abbots Langley was our family business from the 1940s until it was sold in 1972. My grandfather Cyril Pridgeon and my grandmother Dorothy Pridgeon started the business. Then my father and mother Peter and Dorothy Pridgeon took over. It was a grocers. I used to help my parents during the school holidays and really enjoyed the experience. Once the bigger supermarkets came in there was no call for the small grocers. But I will always have so many fond memories of Pridgeons Ltd.
A memory of Abbots Langley contributed by denise pridgeon
Extracts From Kings Langley & Hertfordshire books
All Saints’ was unique in its having permission to fly the Royal Standard on selected dates and to commemorate royal birthdays and marriages. Unfortunately, this privilege was rescinded around 1925. The structure dates from the 15th century and contains the tomb of Edmund de Langley, the first Duke of York, Earl of Cambridge and fifth son of Edward III. This had originally been installed in the nearby priory chapel of the Friars Preachers, but was moved to All Saints’ in 1575.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
When Frith’s photographer visited Kings Langley in the 1890s, cattle wandered freely along the High Street; but by 1955, the motor car was firmly established as king of the road. He would have recognised the shops, particularly Coles the draper (left), which had been owned by Grays but was taken by Miss Florence Cole in 1911. Next door, in 1893, the newsagent’s shop was held by the Rev Daniel Macmillan, Baptist minister of Kings Langley.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
The pound has had a chequered career. In 1835 it was moved from its position near the Workhouse, but it has now been rebuilt in its original site opposite Pound Cottages in Common Lane to the north east of the town. The pound was a very necessary community facility. Overseen by the pindar, stray animals were kept here until the owners arrived to pay a small fee for their release. The equivalent today would be the parking clamp and council vehicle pound!
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
Wander’s Ovaltine Company had been a major employer in Kings and Abbots Langley, but its closure in the 1970s was a major blow to the twin communities. The frontage of this magnificent factory building was saved, and new dwellings have been built to the rear.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".
The driver of the Ford 300E van in the foreground has popped into Haywood’s (right) for his morning newspaper. Next door is Sketchley’s, the dry-cleaners, and Arthur Rickett. The imposing brick building beyond was, as many local children will remember, the dentist’s surgery. On the opposite side are the opticians, then the baker and Lloyds Bank. Ampleforth’s Garage, Austin/Morris main dealers, had been Amos Young’s cycle repair work shops - he was also one of the town’s tailors! When Ampleforth’s moved to other premises, this became The Age of Wine.
An extract from from"Hertfordshire Living Memories".