Brand Street

Hitchin has two Town Halls in Brand Street. The old hall, in a very restrained Italianate fashion was constructed in 1840. It proved too small & badly ventilated and a replacement was required.

At the turn of the century, the new hall was built, at a cost of £7,300. These much larger buildings have proved adequate ever since.

Nearby is Sainsbury's supermarket. This modern building is distinguished by some remarkable (modern) reliefs containing numerous references to Hitchin's past - in particular:

• The founding of the Church by King Offa in 792
• The description of Hitchin in the Domesday book, with the words "Rex Willelm tenet Hiz" (King William holds Hitchin)
• The Quakers, so important in Hitchin's industrial development
• The grain & straw industry

From here, you can go to the High Street or Payne's Park.