BUNTINGFORD
Buntingford Town Centre has remained substantially unaltered over the last century. It's central Conservation area, which includes the River Rib is designated an area of outstanding architectural or historical interest. Many of it's buildings date from the 15th century. There has in the last 20 or so years been several developments on the perimeter of the town, but these have not to any great extent altered the atmosphere of the town
The town of 5000 inhabitants straddles the London to Cambridge road (The Roman Ermine Street) and has benefited from the opening of a bypass in 1987.
The earliest mention of Buntas Ford is in a document of 1185 which related to to land owned by the Knights Templar. It is referred to as a "town" for the first time in Henry III's Charter of 1253 which allowed it to to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. Buntingford began to thrive and the market is still held today on a Monday
Buntingford's past industries included cloth making, dyeing, and tanning.
The height of Buntingford's prosperity was in the early 18th century stagecoach era. It's many inns served travellers on the Roman Road to York, Ermine Street. Samuel Pepys recorded that he and his wife stayed at The George Inn, where she became ill after drinking cold beer.
St. Peters Church was built on the site of an earlier chapel in 1614. Until St. Peters Church was built worshipers had to cross the ford and climb the steep path to the then Parish Church and now ruined, St. Bartholomew's Church, which has a 14th century chancel, in the deserted medieval village of Layston.
On the Market Hill, next to St. Peter's Church are the Bishop Seth Ward's almshouses, built in 1684 by Bishop Seth Ward a mathematician and astronomer, who was born in the town.
In the centre of the High Street is the town clock, which is a rare 16th century turret clock, notable by it not having a minute hand.
ASPENDEN
The one road of this picturesque village leads to Aspenden Hall, and then continues as a bridleway to Cottered. It has a traditional village green, which houses the Cricket Club, a pub (The Fox) and St Mary's Church. The church has a tomb which marks the resting place of Sir Robert Clifford. Sir Robert was a knight to King Henry VII. He was involved in the plot to remove the King, but he betrayed his co coconspirators and was banished to Aspenden His role of Lord of the Manor was subsequently held by the Ralph and William Freman. Ralph was Lord Mayor of London, The brothers are also buried in the church.
BRAUGHING
For those who do not know Braughing is pronounced "Braffing"
This pretty village lies in the valley of the River Quin and has been in existence since Roman times being close to the Roman road, Stane Street, from Colchester to St. Albans. There is also evidence of an Iron Age site nearby.
The village is centered on the picturesque ford, and timber framed buildings surround the church, St. Mary the Virgin. There are also Methodist and Congregational churches dating from the early 1700's.
Braughing is popular with film makers, recently episodes of "Foyles War" were made here. In 1953 the filming of "O'Leary Night" was undertaken at the railway station. Several television advertisements have also been made here.
The Old Boys School and the Church were featured in an episode of the TV drama "Foyles War" first shown in 2004
WESTMILL
Westmill has been winner of the Conservation Society's coveted Best Kept Village competition, and consists of a village green and thatched cottages overlooked by the imposing St. Mary's Church.
The village shop and tea-rooms was also shown in the same episode of "Foyles War" as that of Braughing. (see above)
COTTERED and CROMER
These two villages to the west of Buntingford are noted for their beauty. Cottered has many thatched buildings, and Cromer boasts a restored 17th century post mill. This windmill is open to the public on Sunday afternoons in the summer months.
HARE STREET and THE HORMEADS
The villages of Great Hormead, Little Hormead, and Hare Street lie to the east of Buntingford. They are abundant with 16th century and some earlier properties including at Hare Street a Tudor period tea rooms.