English Heritage sites near Hexton Parish
WREST PARK
3 miles from Hexton Parish
Explore the evolution of the English garden and take a stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest Park.
DE GREY MAUSOLEUM, FLITTON
5 miles from Hexton Parish
Among the largest sepulchral chapels attached to any English church, this cruciform mausoleum houses a remarkable sequence of 17 sculpted and effigied monuments.
HOUGHTON HOUSE
7 miles from Hexton Parish
Houghton House today is the shell of a 17th century mansion commanding magnificent views, reputedly the inspiration for the ‘House Beautiful’ in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
OLD GORHAMBURY HOUSE
14 miles from Hexton Parish
The remains of a once immense mansion built in 1563-8 by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Queen Elizabeth’s Lord Keeper and visited by the queen on at least four occasions.
ROMAN WALL OF ST ALBANS
15 miles from Hexton Parish
A section of the two-mile long wall built between AD 265 and 270 to defend the Roman city of Verulamium: including the foundations of towers and the London Gate.
BERKHAMSTED CASTLE
15 miles from Hexton Parish
Visit the substantial remains of a strong and important motte and bailey castle dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, with surrounding walls, ditches and earthworks.
Churches in Hexton Parish
St Faith
The church’s history is intertwined with that of Hexton. Even in the 1800s the population never rose above 338, and is now only 138. The village has a school, playgroup, Post Office, pub, youth club, cricket and football clubs and a W.I. There are now 14 small businesses and in 2006 Hexton won first prize as the best small business community in Hertfordshire and The C.P.R.E. first prize for the Best Small Village for Building Community Life in Hertfordshire.
St Faith's building has a fine East Window by Harry Stammers, two Georgian pulpits, and an 1820 organ. In 1947 two sides of the tower collapsed. In 1961 thieves stripped the lead off the roof. The nave deteriorated into a damp and seldom used space, though regular worship continued in the chancel.
A restoration project began in 1994. In 2000 the whole village decided to refurbish the nave as both a church and a community centre. This was completed in 2006. Now the nave, known as St. Faith’s Community Centre, is in daily use by groups, the playgroup, the school (which has no hall) youth club and WI. St. Faith’s was among the twelve national prize winners for ‘The Best Church Building for the Future, 2005’.
Pubs in Hexton Parish
Raven
Situated in the picturesque village of Hexton on the border of North Hertfordshire and Mid Bedfordshire, The Raven is a beautiful traditional family pub-restaurant. It is located within easy reach from Hitchin, Luton, Barton and other surro...