93 High Street to Myddleton House, no 113-119 High Street

The building on the north corner of Lord Street was built in 1882 by members of the Warner family as a coffee tavern. The Warners were Quakers and they supported the Temperance movement. Coffee taverns gave out tokens which could be exchanged for soup or coffee in the hope of encouraging would-be drinkers away from the town’s many pubs. The building later became a temperance hotel. Vents from the kitchens can still be seen in the wall facing Lord Street.

Continue past the White Swan to the white-fronted building comprising 3 shops which has internal timber framing dating from the 16th century. In front of no. 99, Ripleys Butchers shop, is a cobbled forecourt. The premises had been a smithy for over 200 years up to the mid-20th century. The cobbles gave extra purchase for the horses’ hooves.

Walk past The Star and on to Myddleton House (nos. 113-116 High Street), which was built about 1600. It may have been the home of William Myddleton, a relative of Sir Hugh Myddleton who built the New River, but it does not seem that Sir Hugh himself lived in Hoddesdon. The building was an inn for a period and in the late 19th century was the home of Charles Augustus Christie, one of the sons of the owner of Christie’s brewery which stood opposite. Myddleton House became the home and surgery of GPs Dr Love and then Dr West, who eventually re-located to Rathmore House. Used as shops from the 1930s, Myddleton House was extended to the north in about 2000.

Continue north and turn left into Paul’s Lane. Walk up Paul’s Lane for about 30 yards and cross towards the church.