The first ‘garden city’, Letchworth is a place worth exploring – it’s full of history, shops and great places to dine out.
Letchworth Garden City is proof that, with careful planning, a town can give back to its people.
In 1898 the social reformer Ebenezer Howard published his book, To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Reform, outlining the way towns should operate, many aspects we take for granted today.
Things like making sure there are parks, a green belt and separating industrial areas away from where people live – things that have shaped urban planning at home and abroad.
By the dawn of the 20th century his ideas were realised with the town of Letchworth. It had a population of just 96 in 1901 and although Howard’s ideas were ridiculed by many, they were celebrated by members of the Arts and Crafts movement and the Quakers. Liberal leaning folk flocked to Letchworth and Londoners were said to have
journeyed here to point and laugh at the Edwardian people in their Arts and Crafts houses.
The town has various parks and is studded with Arts and Crafts architecture.
Howard’s vision was to generate income by managing local assets to reinvest back
into the community. The Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation (LGCHF) continues this work today, working to invest in initiatives with its community in mind.
The fascinating Edwardian experiment in urban design and living is 120 years old at
the end of 2023 and remains a successful model of a sustainable community.
The pristine location is a delight to see and residents take pride in their pretty town.
According to the Herts Memories website there are some beautiful trees with an
incredible lineage in Letchworth. The oldest trees are in Willian Way, extending towards Willian Village. The oaks are around 200 years old. From 1980 to 1984 more than 70,000 trees and hedgerow plants were planted on estate land and there are 62 different species of trees and hedgerow plants on the Corporation’s estate.
Fun facts about the town include the Letchworth Garden City railway station issued the first passenger tickets on April 15, 1905 and the first nine-hole golf course opened in that same year in Letchworth Park.
The town lays claim to the first purpose-built traffic control roundabout constructed in
Great Britain at the junction of Broadway, Sollershott and Spring oad. It was originally known as Sollershott Circus.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made her first official visit in 1982 to open the new Leisure Centre, Baldock Road.
EXPLORING THE TOWN
One of the biggest draws for tourists is Standalone Farm, which is part of the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation assets. It is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and the farm animals.
Another must-see is the Spirella Building, a former corset factory which was restored in 1996 and is now home to many thriving businesses.
The Broadway Cinema Theatre is a lovely independent cinema within an Art Deco building from 1936, with four screens.
St Mary’s is the oldest building in the town and worth a visit as are the beauty spots at Letchworth Green Way, Icknield Way Path, Howard Park and Norton Common.
The picturesque Broadway Gardens and Walk was developed following a £1million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The layout and design of the gardens reflects the initial aspirations of Ebenezer Howard, who was responsible for founding Letchworth, the world’s first Garden City.
The Broadway Gallery has regular exhibitions, events and educational activities to
inspire visitors. Letchworth’s beautiful tree-lined streets set the scene for the town’s shops, which are a combination of independent stores nestled amongst national high-street names. Being pedestrian friendly Letchworth has all you need from daily provisions to gifts and treats to fabrics to florists, and everything in between.
Crafts, too, can be found, as well as art classes for any age at The Letchworth Studio. There are also galleries which not only host exhibitions, but have perfect gifts or items to treat yourself with and your home.
A well-being centre, The Wise Lotus, can ensure you start the year positively with
retreat days, one-to-one sessions and also its Little Shop of Mindfulness, which offers both products and gift sets designed to support wellbeing for both individuals and businesses.
And, if you want to start 2023 with a new look, then there’s some inspiration from the town’s hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons and clothing shops. Those much-needed services such as pharmacies, opticians, butchers, dentists and a
locksmith are dotted around the town as well.
The popular farmers’ market takes place on the third Saturday of the month between 9am and 1pm at Leys Square, and again it’s the perfect opportunity to support the many local businesses that Letchworth proudly produces.
EATING OUT
Any fans of the 2013 film, The World’s End, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will be aware of the sheer number of fantastic pubs that Letchworth boasts.
The comedy, set around a boozy pub crawl that goes wrong, was filmed in Letchworth and many of the town’s watering holes appear in scenes.
And there’s certainly no shortage of pubs to choose from here. Three Horseshoes, an 18th century inn, is the place for long, lazy lunches and gorgeous Sunday roasts, while The Platform, in the heart of the town, is known for its traditional feel with an abundance of cask ales.
But it’s not just pubs where you can enjoy a drink and night out. The award-winning Fox at Willian manages to fuse village charm with a super-stylish setting. The modern restaurant serves up dishes filled with an abundance of locally sourced, seasonal
ingredients. An impressive wine list is also to be enjoyed.
Letchworth has something to tempt every palate – with Italian, Turkish and Vietnamese cuisine all on offer. Alloro, an authentic Italian restaurant based in Eastcheap, creates mouth-watering pizzas freshly made in a traditional clay oven. It
also has an Italian-themed bar where you can relax and unwind with an Apéritif.
Meanwhile, Alloro, in the same road, has crafted a simple Italian way of dining in a warm rustic ambience. L’artista is another Italian restaurant that conjures up the ‘Italian feel’. It’s a place where families receive an especially warm welcome.
Cultivo Lounge bar in Leys Avenue is a popular venue with food served all day. Turquoise Kitchen in Central Approach rustles up meals that are inspired by traditional Turkish recipes, while Pho House will bring you a fresh and vibrant taste of Vietnam.
If you fancy a cuppa and cake, David’s Bookshop Café in Eastcheap is the perfect place to stop by for a spot of book perusing and board game playing. You’ll also find music, cards and gifts here, plus a café serving tasty food and drinks from 9am-4pm each daily.
WHY I LOVE LETCHWORTH
As an interior designer, Alison Anderson says living in Letchworth is a real privilege. ‘Letchworth really stands out in terms of its home design and architecture, with elements from the Arts and Crafts period very much on display. It’s clear homeowners appreciate the history that comes with living in such a special place, and take great pride in making sure their homes are as beautiful as possible.
‘With its remarkable examples of architecture, it’s easy to see why so many are attracted to the town. The Cloisters, which was built in 1905 as an open-air school,
is of particular interest, as the architect, William Cowlishaw, also designed our home.
There are plenty of similarities, although our house isn’t quite as eccentric! There is also the beauty of the Spirella Building and the Art Deco Broadway Cinema to admire.
‘Of course, it’s not just about architecture; Letchworth offers a wonderful combination of town and countryside – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
There are plenty of shops, but you’re also never too far from accessible countryside. The Greenway is perfect for walking and cycling, and Standalone Farm was a firm favourite with my children when they were younger.’
alisonandersoninteriors.co.uk
