Hertford sprang up around the River Lea and took its name from the original ford across the river; the deers or harts as they were known used to come and drink here and hence the name Hertford was born.
William the Conqueror built the original castle and King Henry 2nd enhanced it and it became a royal home. Today it is the remaining gatehouse housing the Town Council offices and original castle wall that draw visitors to the county town. With its history of malting and brewing, (McMullens still has links with the town today), this small ancient royal borough was also known for its inns and hostelries largely situated on Fore Street and Parliament Square and today this area offers a wide choice of restaurants including The House Kitchen at The Hertford House Hotel, The Masters House, Lussmanns and Baroosh amongst others. If you’ve not much time to linger, Déjà vu café or Caffe Yum in Old Cross are ideal for a drink and light lunch.
St Andrew Street is one of the main draws of Hertford and is known for its quality shops, many of which are situated in historic buildings. To afford yourself the time to browse, the newly opened Rigsby’s Guest House at number 25 is an ideal spot to stay. This grade 2 listed 18th century period property has 4 luxuriously appointed bedrooms for up to 10 people and offers accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. The delightful courtyard garden behind Rigsby’s shares its access with the entrance to The Dress Room, Hertford’s very own bridal shop recently opened by Kirsty Murray.
Two excellent restaurants just minutes away are Baan Thitiya, Hertford’s premier Thai restaurant and the recently opened Ruby specialising in contemporary Indian cuisine.
Barbara Martin Studios opened at 31 St Andrew Street three years ago and is well worth a visit. As a designer and maker of silver jewellery, hats, fascinators and bridal headdresses, Barbara’s studio is full of beautiful pieces. Coming from an engineering background, Barbara initially worked with stainless and mild steel and created bird, garden ornaments and sculptures. However as Barbara herself says, ‘I was soon seduced by another metal, silver,’ and after a period of study locally at Ware College the creation of beautiful textured silver jewellery began. Recently Barbara has produced bespoke jewellery which she hopes to become as well known for as her individually created headwear (one bespoke hat even appearing at a Queens garden party!)
St Andrew Street is also home to Boutini a delightful childrenswear boutique, stocking a wide range of designer wear for kids and, across the road, The Women’s Society Boutique recently voted by the industries leading fashion experts as one of the UK’s most inspiring independent retailers, is equally able to cater for the stylish mum. If you are in need of a little pampering then The Beauty Room at no 5, offers a variety of beauty services and both Vogue and Belles and Shears Hairdressers can complete the look. On the corner of Old Cross and St Andrew Street, Natural Health is a health shop and treatment centre that aims to offer natural products in the shop which compliment the complementary health care provided by qualified registered practitioners in the 6 treatment rooms in the centre above. Choose from a vast selection of treatments and therapies from over 30 actitioners!
Old Cross has also seen the opening of Hertford’s HD Audio Visual store. Owner Michael Tindale had been running his business online for the last 3 years, but felt there was a definite need to have a physical presence and opened the shop 6 months ago. ‘Whilst we offer the same prices in store as we do online, once a customer comes into the store we are able to explain and demystify the world of hi-fi and home cinema and advise which quality products will meet the customer’s needs - we also install our products. Equally some manufacturers will not sell online, so now we have access to what we believe to be the best products on the market.’
The shop is stylish and well laid out with a lounge area which demonstrates the benefits of home cinema and glorious surround sound. It’s even possible to have speakers fitted behind pictures! HD also offers a wide range of hi-fi separates and accessories which can be viewed and demonstrated in store.
You are also spoilt for choice when shopping for ladies wear in Hertford. Jane Selby at ID has been established in Hertford for 26 years and regularly introduces new ranges to keep her customers up to date with the latest fashions. Maiden Boutique offers an eclectic mix of stylish women’s clothing and vintage collectables in their newly merchandised store and Retail Therapy on Railway Street is a stockist of the ‘must have’ Tummy Tuck Jeans by NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans)!
Ware next?
Just a few miles down the road, lies Ware, which acquired its name from the drop in the river or ‘weir’. Here too impressive architecture abounds, with the 14th century Ware Priory now housing the town council offices and Place House formerly Ware’s Manor House and now a Grade 1 listed building among the historic places of interest.
Occupying the fabulous 18th century Grade 2 listed building Rankin House is the bridal and occasion wear retailer Clifford Burr. This impressive 3 storey building has been used as a Meeting House, Town Hall and offices over the years but now provides a perfect spacious but private environment for Clifford Burr’s extensive bridal range.
Morag Clifford, Clifford Burr’s owner, is delighted to be trading from such an historic building where she has been established for the last 5 years. ‘The space allows us to offer about 10 different designers, with prices ranging from about £600 to £2000. Our ethos is to provide the best possible service we can from a first appointment to steaming the dress the day before the wedding. We are also able to offer 10 bridal appointments, 7 bridesmaid appointments and 10 menswear appointments every Saturday and have 5 seamstresses on hand to facilitate any alterations.’
Morag’s love of bridal wear goes back to having had a Saturday job in a bridal shop as a teenager and despite gaining ascience honours degree and working for 10 years as a pharmacist, she never lost her love for the trade and today delights in helping her customers look their best on their special day.
Gill Morgan another local independent retailer and owner of Simply Silver and Simply Trend on the High Street also enjoys helping her customers and offering products that are different with a touch of glamour, offering affordable style and luxury. Having established Simply Silver 5 years ago, Gill opened Simply Trend in September 2010. She describes Simply Trend as, ‘an Aladdin’s cave for the discerning woman around town – offering a range of eclectic gifts, from a token gift for under £5, to that must have top of the range leather handbag. Several of the ranges we offer are exclusive to us in this area including Julie Slater travel bags and Helen Rochfort bags. New lines arrive regularly so it’s always worth popping in.’
The adjacent Simply Silver offers a wide range of jewellery from costume through to semi precious to suit everyone’s taste and budget. Gill also stocks a range of fossils and semi precious rocks for room decoration. Next plan is to get the website up and running to spread the Simply message further!
Magika’s Kitchen is a unique shop, a deli, café and food emporium. Magika also offers a good range of sweets, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, jams and chutneys all available sugar free and suitable for diabetics. In contrast this is also the place to find those favourite American holiday foodie treats, as they stock a range of goodies from the great U.S of A!
Just a little further down the High Street at The Vine Shop, manager Gil Riggans is able to recommend products a little closer to home as he stocks Wareside Wines, a local vineyard just outside Ware.
