How about we wander through Broxbourne a town steeped in history? Broxbourne sits in Hertfordshire. It is about 17 miles north of London. Broxbourne’s story stretches back centuries.
Broxbourne’s name likely comes from Old English. “Brocc” and “burna” mean “Badger stream”. Imagine badgers frolicking by the water.
Broxbourne grew thanks to inns along the Great Cambridge Road. Now, that road is the A10. Picture travelers stopping for rest and refreshment. Some old houses and inns from the 16th to 19th centuries still stand. They line the High Street, now the A1170.
The Domesday Book mentions Broxbourne as Brochtsborne. Broxbourne Mill is listed there. Stigand held the manor in Edward the Confessor’s time. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury. After the Conquest, Normans took over. King John gave the manor to the Knights Hospitallers. Later, it went to John Cock. Cock Lane is named after his family.
Let’s talk about the parish church of St Augustine in Broxbourne. It was rebuilt in the 15th century. But a 12th-century Purbeck marble font remains. Inside, you’ll find monuments and brasses. They date from the 15th to 19th centuries. The tower has a belfry. It holds eight bells. Three of them are dated 1615.
The New River passes through Broxbourne’s heart. It was built in the early 17th century. This waterway supplied London with fresh water.
James Pulham and Son opened a terracotta works here in the mid-19th century. They made artificial rock garden features. You can still see their work at Sandringham House and Buckingham Palace.
Broxbourne railway station appeared in 1840. It was significantly redeveloped in the mid-20th century. The station is Grade II listed since March 2009.
Pulham House was pulled down in 1957. Only a brick kiln and a horse-drawn puddling wheel remain. These are now Grade II listed. The council conserved them in 1986. Full conservation happened in 2016. B3Living, Lowewood Museum, and Broxbourne Borough Council collaborated. The Heritage Lottery Fund supported them.
In the 20th century, the area was used for gravel and sand extraction. This left many lakes. Several lakes are now part of the Lee Valley Regional Park.
Broxbourne has evolved over time. Once a civil parish, it joined Hoddesdon Urban District. Later, it became part of the Borough of Broxbourne in 1974.
Broxbourne hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics whitewater canoe and kayak slalom events. The venue was initially known as Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre. It was later named Lee Valley White Water Centre.
Broxbourne has been home to some notable people. Charles Deville Wells, “the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo”, was born here. Pat Jennings and Ray Clemence played football here. Osvaldo Ardiles played midfield. Gillian Taylforth is an actress who lived here.
So, as you wander through Broxbourne, remember its layers of history. From badger streams to Olympic games, Broxbourne has a unique story to tell.