Hemel Hempstead, View From Adeyfield Road c.1960

Photo ref: H255017

More about this scene

During the 18th century, the roads Cherry Bounce, Chapel Street, Bell Road (now St Mary's Road), and George Street were all developing on the east side of the of the High Street and were in effect extensions of the main street. At the southern end of the High Street the road branched to the east into Saffron Lane, later known as Queen Street. At one time the High Street stretched to the west, to the south of Gadebridge Park, when the land there formed the grounds of the Bury. This short stretch of road, which joined Bury Road to the west with Queen Street, now Lower Queensway, became known as Broadway. It obtained the name because it was a 'broad way' when compared to the narrow High Street. With the wide expanse at the top of Marlowes, this area became an overflow for the cattle market. By the end of the 18th century, however, the cattle market was dismantled and the London entrance to the town, as it was known, was improved. The cattle market was moved to a meadow behind the Rose and Crown. As the last specialised market of Hemel Hempstead, it survived up to the Second World War. Marlowes itself was gradually developed with several fine villas and shops appearing amongst speculative building and shabby cottages.