To get a quote on a Building Survey for a residential property or a commercial property in Hitchin, carried out by an Independent Chartered Surveyor, who is a member of RICS, then please click on the 'Get a Survey Quote' box above.

To find out more about the services we provide in Hitchin please click on the 'Information and Surveys in this Area' box above.

As Independent Chartered surveyors we carry out all types of residential building surveys and commercial surveys in the Hitchin area. Never expect that a mortgage owned surveyor company will give you impartial advice. Call an Independent Chartered Surveyor on 0800 298 5424 to book a survey. As independent chartered surveyors we work for you and always put our clients first. We are independent and do not work for a mortgage company or estate agent. We can help with a Quick Sale by producing our surveys promptly and speaking to you about the property in person at the time of the survey or on the telephone afterwards, whichever you prefer.

Facts and places of interest in and around Hitchin

Interesting Facts about Hitchin

• In 1697, Hitchin (and the nearby village of Offley ) were subject to what is thought to have been the most severe hailstorm in recorded UK history. Hailstones over 4 inches in diameter were reported.

• In 1697 hailstones measuring 4 inches in diameter were reported in Hitchin and Offley.

• The rather rare black squirrel can be found in Hitchin; look for them in the Church Graveyard and they've also been spotted near the swimming pool.

• The River Hiz starts is journey from Charlton (about a mile from Hitchin) and flows through Hitchin then goes north and joins up with a number of other rivers before flowing to the North Sea at the Wash.

• Hitchin Festival takes place each year and includes the Rhythyms of the World (ROTW) free concert. Over 20,000 people attend the festival.

• Hitchin Parish church, St Mary's, is the second largest in the county; the biggest being St Albans Abbey.

• The Parish Church, St Mary's, has a tiny mouse carved on the altar rail; this is the signature mark of Robert Thompson, known as ‘Mousey Thompson', who was a well known wood carver. The mouse is carved on his work in hundreds of churches that he worked on including Westminster Abbey and York Minster. Apparently Mousey Thompson got the idea of doing this when another carver mentioned ‘being as poor as a church mouse'.

• The famous Icknield Way , which was once a significant trade route, passes by the northern side of Hitchin.

• American actor and comedian Bob Hope apparently claimed to have inherited his sense of humour from his paternal grandfather who came from Hitchin.

• Nikolaus Pevsner described Hitchin as being, after St Albans , the most visually satisfying town in the county.

• The worlds only known complete Lancasterian Schoolroom was built in 1837 in Hitchin with the aim to teach boys by the Lancasterian way.

• Hitchin's yearly Rhythms of the World festival is said to be the largest free festival of world music in Europe.

• It is said that Henry VIII nearly died in Hitchin in a fire. It is also rumoured that Henry VIII believed he could pole vault over the River Hiz. It turned out though that he was bigger than he thought which meant the pole broke and he ended up in the river. Whether these tales are true or not is unknown, but it is a fact that Henry VIII hunted in the Hitchin area.

   

Places of Interest in and around Hitchin

Specialist shopping in Hitchin

Hitchin has a good range of established shops. The town is also well known for the traditional open market which has been held in the town for over 500 years.

Hitchin has managed to maintain its market town traditions and feel and still integrate some larger chain stores.

St Mary's Parish Church

St Mary's Parish Church is in the centre of Hitchin next to the River Hiz. There has been a church on this site way back to the 7 th century. In 1115 a lot of the building was destroyed by strong winds and rebuilding took place. Then in 1298 an earthquake caused more damage and in 1304 the roof collapsed too.

Medieval glass fragments can be seen above the chapel; the glass was smashed by Cromwell's army in 1640 when they took over the church. They also defaced carvings of the apostles and damaged the font.

A very interesting church to visit.

British Schools Museum , Hitchin

The British Schools Museum tells the history of elementary education from 1810-1969. The museum is located in a number of historical buildings.

Joseph Lancaster had a system that meant he could teach 330 boys in one school room – called the Lancasterian Way . The school at Hitchin is built as directed by Lancaster himself and is the only one of its kind left in the world.

There is also a rare Galleried Classroom to view which was built in 1853 for 110 boys and a school master.

Also on display in the old Girls' and Infants' School you can see look at the exhibits in the Museum of Victorian Life .

The Headmaster's House has been restored to its former self and has exhibits showing an Edwardian classroom and items from 1905 – 1969. You can also learn about former headmaster William John Fitch.

The museum also houses the Jill Grey Collection which includes many childhood items from the past.

Hitchin Museum & Art Gallery

Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery has a costume gallery to view and also a reconstruction of what a Victorian chemist shop would have looked like. You can also see many medicinal plants growing in a garden.

Hitchin Farmers Market

Hitchin Farmers Market is held in the Market Square on the fourth Tuesday of each month. There are around a dozen stalls.

General Market

Regular markets are held in Hitchin on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to go further a field you can try the Royston Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Ickleford Common

Ickleford Common is a mainly grassland with the River Hiz on its boundary. Suitable for walkers wanting to stroll away from rights of way.

Oughtonhead Common

Oughtonhead common is a big open grassland next to the recreation grounds that serve the Westmill estate. This Common is good for walkers and there are footpaths to use.

Queen Mother Theatre, Hitchin

The Queen Mother Theatre is situated in Woodside Car Park on the Walsworth Road .
It is a small theatre and has seating for 171 people.

Hitchin Swimming Centre

Hitchin Swimming Centre has a 25m pool inside, with a toddlers pool and an outside 50 meter pool and toddlers pool which are all heated. There is also a cafeteria and vending Service along with a sunbathing terrace outside.

St Pauls Walden Bury

St Pauls Walden Bury is where the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was born. The 18 th century, Grade I Listed landscape garden with temples, statues and lakes are open to the public, but the house is not.

Toothill Motte and Bailey Castle, Pirton

Toot Hill motte and bailey was constructed in the early 1100s and it is thought that it could have been constructed to control the route along the nearby Icknield Way . There is a ditch surrounding the large oval motte which measures 90m x 60m. The bailey contains the 12th century parish church of St Mary . Having both a church and a castle together on the same site indicates that the local lord was powerful and held sway. It may be that the castle had a second bailey, which would be an unusual characteristic, extending to the west, and therefore now encloses ‘The Motte and Bailey' Public House.

Water Hall Farm, Hitchin

Water Hall Farm is a small family owned open farm with farm animals that can be fed and petted. There is also a small animal section with guinea pigs, rabbits etc. There is a picnic area and play area for children along with gardens and tearoom.

If you are interested in buying a residential property in Hitchin or taking a lease on a commercial property in Hitchin then we would be pleased to offer you our professional services. As Chartered Surveyors we provide building Surveys, structural surveys, engineer's reports, homebuyers reports as well as schedule of conditions, commercial building surveys, feasibility studies etc all carried out by independent Chartered Surveyors. We would always recommend that you have a survey carried out on a property you intend to purchase in Hitchin and the surrounding area.

If you want a Quick Sale process in the area of Hitchin then:

Contact us on 0800 298 5424 for help and advice.