Berkhamsted is a market town in Hertfordshire, which sits on the Grand Union Canal – once a busy port and bustling trade route running from London, with its two arms ending in Leicester and the other Birmingham. It is still referred to as Port of Berkhamsted today. The busy mix of independent and branded shops are mainly contained to one long street. The Waterstones is in a mid-19th century building in the High Street.
The John Sayer Almshouses
These Almshouses were gifted to the town of Berkhamsted by John Sayer just before his death in 1682, and were for “6 poor widows, aged over 55 and constant frequenters of the Church of England…” who had to have lived in Berkhamsted for 10 years. This clause still applies, although it has been amended to “Christians, with a preference for members of the Church of England and who are residents in or have connections with the town of Berkhamsted and its surrounding area.” In recent years.
The Grand Union Canal
Below, clockwise from top left: Church Lane (2), Berkhamsted Town Hall.
Edit, 20th February 2024 – I have now discovered through this wonderful blog that the Waterstones here was formerly a branch of Woolworths. You can read more about it here. I’m off to read all about Woolies – oh, how I miss that store.
Janet's Adventures in Waterstones 