Discover Tewin: History, Landscapes and Walking Routes

Tewin combines historic buildings with paths through fields, wooded areas and the landscape of the Mimram Valley. Those looking for holiday accommodation for a trip featuring cultural and natural experiences will find various starting points for planning each day: historic village views, the Church of St Peter and walking routes can each be combined into separate days of discovery.

Historic Sites in the Village

One particularly striking example is Queen Hoo Hall, a Grade II* listed country house. It was built approximately between 1570 and 1585. Tewin Village Conservation Area also illustrates the development of the village. This area includes the triangular Lower Green and Hertford Road; buildings dating from the mid-17th to the late 20th century stand there. This creates a village setting for families and travellers interested in culture, where different eras can be viewed alongside one another.

The Church of St Peter in Tewin has origins dating back to the 11th century. In the 13th century, the chancel was rebuilt or redesigned, and the south aisle and clerestory were added; the west tower was added in the 15th century. Local tradition also connects the site with the proximity of a Saxon settlement on the River Mimram and with an ancient ford below the church. In the churchyard, branches have been growing through the tomb of Lady Anne Grimston for more than 200 years – an unusual detail that makes this historic site particularly memorable.

Further evidence of the village's history includes Tewin's war memorial and Tewin Memorial Hall. The war memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and erected in 1920 in memory of members of the community who died in the two world wars. The Memorial Hall was built in 1922 as a war memorial in the English Arts and Crafts style, influenced by the architectural style of Sir Edward Lutyens. Marden Hill House was built between 1790 and 1794 by F. Carter for R. Mackay and altered by Sir John Soane between 1818 and 1819; today, the country house is divided into six apartments.

Walking Routes for Different Day Plans

Tewin Walk 3 – Queen Hoo Hall is a 5.5-kilometre walking route. It runs along the edge of Bramfield Park Wood and past Queen Hoo Hall. This makes it possible to combine an interest in historic buildings with a clearly defined route. Tewin Walk 1 – Harmer Green, by contrast, follows public footpaths through a field and a wooded area. Those wishing to weigh a specific circular route against a route through different landscape areas when planning their trip can consider these two options separately.

In addition, a group walk takes place in Tewin on Thursdays. The meeting point is at 9:25 a.m. for a two-hour walk or at 10:00 a.m. for a more leisurely 1.5-hour walk, in each case opposite the Rose and Crown Pub at the shelter. These two stated options make it possible to plan the walking day according to the desired pace without losing sight of the other cultural destinations. The initiative The Mimram Valley at Tewin works collectively to protect the historic landscape and environment of the Mimram Valley.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

Tewin is served by bus routes 204, 378, 388 and 879. Route 879 operates only on school days. The routes connect the village with Welwyn Garden City, Hertford and Stevenage. When choosing holiday accommodation, the planned combination of walks, local history and excursions, together with the bus connections, may influence your decision. Therefore, consider whether you plan to spend most of your days in Tewin or also want to include connections to the places mentioned above.

To compare other destinations, you can also look at Hoddesdon, Baldock, Codicote, Boxmoor, Welwyn Garden City, Waltham Cross, Hexton and Little Gaddesden.

For the overarching travel overview: Hertfordshire.