Hidden Hertford was established in 2008. It was formed following an approach by Hidden Britain, itself a section of Visit Britain. The aim was to bring Hertford to the attention of a wider public by promoting social, historical and architectural features that were largely unknown but of much interest to the resident and tourist alike.
Initially this was not supported by neither Hertford County Council nor East Herts District Council or Hertford Town Council as their remit is ‘strategic’ so the idea of launching a heritage tour with its own website was really a personal crusade alongside my existing role as Town Centre Manager.
Myself and a colleague from East Herts Council raised substantial funds from various sources such as the National Lottery Awards for All, Action for Market Towns, Grown in Herts and the East of England Development Agency.
The money was used to fund computers and information desks for Hertford Museum as well as education days and support for exhibitors on our Farmers Market.
We also ran trips along the River Lea, stalls at local agricultural shows and rural walks covering local farms who served afternoon teas.
The most interesting aspect was the innovative audio/visual tours of Hertford
A photographic tour of Hertford was overlaid with descriptions of buildings and other interesting heritage locations written by myself and recorded by a BBC trained commentator. These were combined into both an audio file and AV file that could be downloaded on to a suitable device. The commentary was also translated into French, German and Polish. Both MP3’s and ipods were made available for hire from various points around town.
Unfortunately many locations have closed and the guide difficult to follow. The A/V devices have all been sold so little remains.
On the following four pages are maps of Hertford with buildings of interest so that you can now follow the original route on a virtual tour on your mobile device.
Bull Plain to OLd Cross
St Andrew Street to Hertford Castle
Castle Street to Fore Street
Fore Street to Friends Meeting House
I have since recovered the audio files. These have been turned into text and used to form the centrepiece of a paperback which is now available from Amazon.
I have added many articles that have been published on this site which gives a complete overview of Hertford’s many historical and heritage places of interest not in the original tour.
The eBook is still available through Amazon.
The paperback version only available at Amazon
More articles on Hertford:
Hertford the county town, Folly Island, Hidden Hertford, Old Barge Pub, Brewing in Hertford, Easter, Fore Street, Eccentric Clergy, Hertford Library, Hertford 1861, Tunnels of Hertford, Sarah Stout, Closed pubs