× Home News Features Shopping Housebuilding About Contact
about HERTFORD logo

This gallery of old postcards shows the town as it once was, from the turn of the century to more recent times.

Whilst parts of the town are almost unchanged from a hundred years ago, others are barely recognisable. Buildings have been lost, others have survived.

The creation of the relief road through the town centre saw a large number of buildings demolished and views gone forever.

At the same time, fashion, convention and transport have all changed over the years.

Fore Street looking east - probably 1940s or 50s.
Mill Bridge looking towards Old Cross. The Castle cinema on the left with Illots's Mill further along. The Woolpack is a familiar sight. Probably 1940s or 50s.
St.Andrew Street looking toward Old Cross. Early 20th Century.
The Plough and County Cinema in Ware Road, both new replaced by offices. Probably 1940s or 50s.
Parliament Square shortly after construction of the war memorial. Some of the 17th century buildings known as Parliament Row have since been demolished although those out of shot to the left remain. Simpson & Co were a significant printing and binding business and later moved to St.Andrew Street. The building is now the Job Centre.
Fore Street looking west towards Parliament Square. A scene that is little changed to this day. Probably 1930s.
The Wash looking towards Mill Bridge. The Castle Gates can be seen to the left with the millkeepers house in the centre of the photo. Probably 1920s or 30s.
Shops in Ware Road around 1910. J.Wren was a local baker, taken over by Simmons who still trade from the site.
A colourised shot of Fore Street looking east from Parliament Square - another scene unchanged.
Fore Street looking west towards Parliament Row, before the war memorial turned it to a square.
Fore Street approaching Parliament Row. Shops occupied the site before the war memorial was built. In the distance can be seen Bruton's outfitters.
This view of St. Andrew Street has changed very little in a century.
Very little remains of this view of St. Andrew Street looking towards Hertingfordbury Road and North Road.
Old Cross looking towards Cowbridge.
Fore Street busy with horse-drawn carts and bicycles.
Looking towards the town centre from Port Vale.
A bus in Fore Street in 1922.
Maidenhead Street. Early 20th century.
The war memorial in Parliament Square. The Hertford Motor Company had a prominent business in the sqaure, displaying vehicles on the ground and first floors.
Hertford Cowbridge station looking towards the Port Hill bridge. The location is now part of Sainsbury's car park.
Hertingfordbury Road
The A414 once ran through the middle of town
Fleming Crescent on the Sele Farm Estate.
A composite postcard from around the 1960 showing the river, castle, Parliament Square and St.Andrew Street.
The Woolpack on Mill Bridge in the 1970s.
The Queens Road roundabout. Probably 1960s or 70s.

Published 17th September 2023