Digswell
| Digswell | |
| Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
 Digswell Viaduct | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL251151 |
| Location: | 51°49’14"N, 0°11’6"W |
| Data | |
| Postcode: | AL6 |
| Local Government | |
Digswell is a village of ancient roots in Hertfordshire. It has become the northernmost extension of Welwyn Garden City and has been utterly transformed as a result. It stands across the River Mimram from the rest of the town. Digswell was not a foundation of that town however and indeed Welwyn Garden City may be said to have been founded by Digswell.
Digswell is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its name may be derived from "Deacon's Well".[1]
There were formerly two manors, with 2 water mills, much land under plough, and a large area of woodland. Little changed until 1922 when part of the estate once belonging to Lord Cowper of Panshanger was sold at auction, and bought by a group of pioneers of the Garden City Movement including Ebenezer Howard. On this land which included much of the old Parish of Digswell and further acquisitions nearby, was built Welwyn Garden City.
Digswell is now an essentially 20th century residential area centred around Welwyn North railway station, on the northern outskirts of the original Parish. Of the original village there remain some elements. The Church of St John the Evangelist is of the 13th century, much altered in later ages. The 19th century Digswell House built on the site of a much earlier residence still mark the original centre of the village.
The impressive Digswell Viaduct built by Lewis Cubitt in 1850 carried the Great Northern Railway over the valley of the River Mimram on some 40 brick arches.[2] The residential workshop for sculptors, artists and musicians sponsored by the Digswell Arts Trust, was once located in Digswell House.[3]
Part of the southern Parish Boundary Baulk, a raised bank, between the ecclesiastical parishes of Digswell and Hatfield may still be seen in Sherrardspark Wood, a local woodland, nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The present Digswell local residential area centred around Welwyn North station has a population of about 1,600, with a shop or two, and a pub called the Cowper Arms.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Digswell) |
References
Books
- Dora Ward, 'Digswell from Domesday to Garden City' first published 1953 and since reprinted