Walkern
| Walkern | |
| Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
 Walkern High Street | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL363292 |
| Location: | 51°55’12"N, 0°7’48"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Stevenage |
| Postcode: | SG2 |
| Dialling code: | 01438 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | East Hertfordshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Hertfordshire |
Walkern is a village in Hertfordshire, standing on the River Beane about two miles from Stevenage.
The village is modest in size but with a goodly range of local shops including convenience stores, a flower shop, a homeware shop and a teashop. More individual shops include a drum shop and a public gallery, near the White Lion public house. The village also has a primary school and doctors surgery.
The River Beane crosses the village street of Church End in a ford, which is overlooked by the mediæval Bridgefoot Farm and thatched Wych Elm cottage.
Church
The parish church of St Mary the Virgin is arguably the oldest village church in Hertfordshire. It has a Saxon wall and rare chalk rood (crucifix) dating back to the middle 10th century. St Mary's also has a fine Purbeck marble effigy of William de Lanvalei, baron of Walkern in the early 13th century and one of the 25 sureties named in the Magna Carta elected to ensure that King John adhere to the 'Law of the Land' set down in the charter in 1215.
Sport and society
There is a recreation ground in the village and a range of seasonal clubs; according to the time of year there is cricket, football and many other clubs running. These function out of the 'Walkern Sports and Community Centre' towards the end of the village near the War Memorial and opposite an old mill.
Historical interest
The village is listed in the Domesday Book as Walchra.
In 1712, Jane Wenham was taken up from her home in Walkern to be tried for witchcraft; she was the last woman in England to be convicted of witchcraft.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Walkern) |