Day trip by train - visit historic Hertford!Come along on Saturday 18th April to visit the historic town of Hertford!
**About Hertford**
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire. Its only 20 miles north of central London and only has a population of 30,000.
The town grew up on a ford on the River Lea in 913AD where the Rivers Rib, Beane and Mimram join the Lea. Its name comes from the Old English word '*Herut*', meaning a fully mature stag; thus the meaning of the name is a ford where stags are found.
The town has a castle (now just a gatehouse remaining) built by the Normans in the 11th century.
In 1563, Parliament met at the castle because of an outbreak of plague in London.
Its most famous resident was Samuel Stone, who was born here in 1602 and later emigrated to America. He was instrumental in developing the community he settled in into a city, renaming it Hartford (in the state of Connecticut today), after his birthplace.
From the 18th century onwards, the town prospered as a market town, with many warehouses and trade on the river.
The town has lots of medieval, Georgian and Victorian properties, along with a local museum.
**Cost**
The guided tour is £8 per person (payable on the day by cash, credit card, PayPal or Bank Transfer). The guided tour is only open to Full Members of the group.
For those that are not doing the guided walk, its a self-guided tour using handouts that I will provide.
**Aprox Itinerary**
9:45am - meet at the station and get GroupSave return train tickets (in groups of 3) to 'Hertford East'
10:08am - catch train
10:57am - arrive at Hertford East Station and walk into the town
11:15am - arrive
11:30am - guided tour of Hertford (for Full Members only) with a tour guide. For everyone else it will be a self-guided tour of the town using handouts provided
1:30pm - stop for lunch, Hertford is great for foodies, with lots of independent cafes, pubs and restaurants
2:30pm - meet at the war memorial for a self-guided tour of the town for everyone
3:30pm - visit the town museum (free entry)
4:30pm - freetime to keep looking around the town or head back to London
Trains going back: 4:07pm 4:37pm and the same times past each hour - it takes 50mins).
**Train Tickets**
We will be getting GroupSave tickets (3 for 2) which work out at £8.54 each (we will be purchasing these in groups of three on the day as people arrive).
**Become a Full Member**
To become a Full Member (£14 a year) either:
\- Pay cash at an event
\- Pay via Bank Transfer \(email me – general@cultureseekers\.org for details\)
\- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI))
\- Pay via PayPal\, send a payment to general@cultureseekers\.org\, using the ‘Friends & Family’ option
Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/)
Please note, we will only wait at the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time so please be early or on time.
Look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign outside the ticket office.
Hope to see you there!
Robert
07905 901 834 (text only) or email: [general@cultureseekers.org](general@cultureseekers.org)
***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it. Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.***
***Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing - [https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***