Preston, Hertfordshire
| Preston | |
| Hertfordshire | |
|---|---|
 St Martin, Preston | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°54’32"N, 0°17’7"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Hitchin |
| Postcode: | SG4 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | North Hertfordshire |
Preston is a village in Hertfordshire about three miles south of Hitchin.
The village grew up around the holdings of the Order of the Knights Templar at Temple Dinsley. Princess Helena College now stands on the site. The first church was mentioned in 1252, when six acres of land was given to nuns from Elstow, Bedfordshire.
Temple Dinsley passed on to the Knights Hospitaller after the dissolution of the Templars. When the Hospitallers were in turn dissolved in 1542, the manor went to Sir Ralph Sadleir.
In the 17th century the village became linked with John Bunyan, who used to hold services in a natural amphitheatre now called Bunyan's Dell.
St Martin's, the parish church, opened in 1900.
The ruined Minsden Chapel, about which wild stories are woven, is located near the village, though is actually in Langley parish.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Preston, Hertfordshire) |
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