Route 2 - Peartree

19 - Site of the Shredded Wheat Factory

The Shredded Wheat factory, designed by Louis de Sossions, opened in 1925 with one hundred workers, many young women who packed the cereal by hand. The original building became a landmark for the town and is now Grade II listed together with the silos. The factory ceased production in 2008 after 83 years. In January 2012 a planning application by Tesco for a large superstore on the site was rejected by the council. The site is at present under development by the Wheat Quarter.

Shredded Wheat factory with main entrance facing Broadwater Road - an early photograph showing the building prior to the construction of the grain silos.

Shredded Wheat factory - first set of grain silos photographed in August 1927. — Shredded Wheat factory with main entrance facing Broadwater Road - an early photograph showing the building prior to the construction of the grain silos.

You have now reached the last stop on the Welwyn Garden Heritage Trust Peartree Town Trail. If you completed the whole trail we hope you have enjoyed finding out more about the town's heritage. If you wish to find out more about Welwyn Garden City heritage please visit www.welwyngarden-heritage.org.

However, if you missed some of the earlier stops or want to repeat the trail, then follow the map below to get to the start (find the QR code or click here to find the first location details).

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18 - Topps Tiles - site of sectional factories

Sectional factories along this side of Broadwater Road were let to low-budget companies often just starting out. Murphy Radio and Cresta Silks both began here. Between 1929 and 1932 Captain Tim Birkin, the famous racing driver, built his supercharged Bentleys in two of the units.

Captain HRS Birkin's Racing Motor Works in a sectional factory. Image from Garden Cities & Town Planning January 1930 "special issue for WGC".

Murphy Radio staff at work in a sectional factory — Captain HRS Birkin's Racing Motor Works in a sectional factory. Image from Garden Cities & Town Planning January 1930 "special issue for WGC".

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17 - Site of Welwyn Film Studios

The site of Welwyn Film Studios, one of the town's early iconic industries, which opened in 1928. Regarded as one of the most advanced studios of its day, a special train brought guests from London for the opening ceremony. Local residents were often used as extras, and stars relaxed in the Cherry Tree between filming. The studios closed in 1950 after which the building was occupied by Ardath Tabacco and Polycell. It was demolished in 2007.

An aerial view of Welwyn studios with Shredded Wheat in the foreground — An aerial view Broadwater Road. The curved roof of Welwyn Studios is clearly visible. The Shredded Wheat factory is in the foreground, on the opposite side of Broadwater Road are a row of sectional factories.

Welwyn Studios filming - image from an industry leaflet produced by WGC Ltd — An aerial view Broadwater Road. The curved roof of Welwyn Studios is clearly visible. The Shredded Wheat factory is in the foreground, on the opposite side of Broadwater Road are a row of sectional factories.

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16 - Roche HQ building - architect Otto Salvisberg

40 Broadwater Road was originally built for Roche Products as their UK headquarters between 1938 and 1940. It is a fine example of the work of Swiss architect, Otto Salvisberg, and the only one of his buildings in the UK. It is now listed. Having been unoccupied for several years it was converted into apartments in 2019.

Roche factory 2010 — Roche factory photographed in 2010 - the spiral staircase is visible through the glass panels that were installed in the 1950s replacing the original glass tiles.

Roche factory photographed in 2010 - the spiral staircase is visible through the glass panels that were installed in the 1950s replacing the original glass tiles.

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15 - Wellgarth - site of medieval homestead

This grassy area marks the site of a medieval homestead at least 600 years old.

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14 - Peartree School

Peartree School was the first school to the east of the railway. It opened in 1929 and catered for 400 children aged 5-11yrs. The nine classrooms mostly faced south-east and had large opening windows to obtain as much sunlight and fresh air as possible.

Peartree School photograph from a publicity leaflet produced by WGC Ltd promoting educational facilities in the town.

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13 - Site of Peartree Stores

The Peartree branch of Welwyn Stores opened here in 1925, with five departments and ten staff. From 1980 until its demolition in 1990, the building was used by a DIY firm. The site is now occupied by Peartree Surgery.

Peartree Stores - a branch of Welwyn Stores.

Peartree Stores Christmas 1946-7 bakery department — Peartree Stores - a branch of Welwyn Stores.

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12 - YMCA Peartree Clubhouse

This single storey white rendered building, was originally the Peartree Clubhouse, which opened here in 1927. It was enlarged in the 1930s when a two storey extension was built behind for a residential boys' club and hostel. This became the town's maternity hospital after the war until the opening of the QEII hospital in 1963. It is now part of the YMCA.

An early photograph of the Peartree Clubhouse.

The first services for the Peartree part of Hatfield Hyde parish were held in Peartree Clubhouse. Pictured here the first nativity play performed by children of the Sunday School in 1927. — An early photograph of the Peartree Clubhouse.

The road to the side of the YMCA is called Peartree Farm as it was the site of Peartree farmhouse where James Hunter lived until his death in 1938, having little to do with the the new Garden City around him. In the post war years, the house was the nurses' home for the maternity hospital next door until demolished. The current industrial units are where farm outbuildings once stood.

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11 - Ludwick Way & Cul-de-sacs

Ludwick Way, named after the medieval Ludewyk Hall, was rebuilt in the 1980s and '90s and is surrounded by typical Welwyn Garden City cul-de-sacs. In 1937 rents here were 14/8d (73 pence) a week.

St Michael's & All Angels' Church Hall, Ludwick Way - Fete c1938. Children playing on a slide. — Ludwick Way housing.

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10 - Site of Barcley Corsets

Barcley Corsets Ltd was an American company founded in 1899 by Harry W. Barcley. The company came to Welwyn Garden City in June 1927 due to increased sales in the UK. From its first premises in Hyde Way the company moved to its iconic pink and black tiled factory at 73 Bridge Road East in 1939. In the entrance hall was a beautiful spiral staircase sweeping up to the top floor, with a magnificent chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Barcley Corsets factory at 73 Bridge Road East with spiral staircase and chandelier visible.

Entire staff of Barcley Corsets Ltd - taken in 1948 or 1949 when the company had made 1000 corsets in a week and celebrated with 'a bit of a do' in the canteen! — Barcley Corsets factory at 73 Bridge Road East with spiral staircase and chandelier visible.

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9 - Norton Grinding Wheel

The American company Norton Grinding Wheel Ltd opened here in 1931. It became the town's largest firm for a time and occupied an 11 acre site with its own rail sidings, but closed in 1982. During WWII the company was the control centre for the industrial civil defence, and also had its own Home Guard Platoon and Bomb Disposal Unit. It had a very active social club offering many activities such as football, netball, cricket, darts, dancing and a popular weekly pontoon sweep.

Norton Grinding Wheel factory complex nearing completion in 1931.

Norton's factory staff — Norton Grinding Wheel factory complex nearing completion in 1931.

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8 - Esso Station - site of first electricity substation

The first electricity substation was built on this corner in 1922. A stable supply of electricity was vital for homes and industry and for street lighting to replace the original oil lamps.

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7 - Kwikfit - site of Welwyn Bakery

Formerly the site of Welwyn Bakery which opened in 1926 with one of the largest, most modern electric ovens in the country. The bread and cakes produced here were sold in Welwyn Stores.

The Welwyn Bakery building.

Welwyn Bakery oven — Welwyn Bakery - electric oven made by Metro-Victor Ltd, total loading 50KW.

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6 - Bakehouse - site of Welwyn Foundry

Welwyn Foundry was on this site manufacturing general light castings such as pipes, boilers, manhole covers and guttering. The original street signs for WGC were made by the company and over 100 men were employed there.

Welwyn Foundry workers photographed in the 1950s.

Welwyn Foundry staff — Welwyn Foundry workers photographed in the 1950s.

Facing this site on the corner of Bridge Road East and Broadwater Road was Welwyn Garden City Laundry, built in 1924. It had its own vehicles for a collection and delivery service and was popular in the days before household washing machines.

Garden Cities & Town Planning - December 1926 'WGC number' - published by the Garden Cities & Town Planning Association. p249 photograph of WGC Laundry. — WGC Laundry in 1926.

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