Route 2 - Peartree

5 - Hunter's Bridge and Wickes - site of Dawnays

The bridge here in pre Garden City days was little more than a single track farm crossing, known locally as Hunter's Bridge after the farmer of Peartree Farm. It was widened in 1929 as the town grew and became a dual carriageway in 1960.

The first industry to settle in the town was A.D.Dawnay and Sons Ltd, structural engineers, who took a five acre site here in 1924 and stayed until 1969. They supplied much of the steel for the town's buildings.

Dawnays factory interior — A.D.Dawnay & Sons Ltd factory.

Go to next location: Get Directions

4 - Waitrose - site of the Cherry Tree Restaurant

The first licensed restaurant, the Cherry Tree, opened in 1921, in 4 acres of woodland. A larger public house replaced it in 1932, which was demolished in 1991. The facade was retained for the Waitrose supermarket now occupying the site.

Cherry Tree restaurant original building — Cherry Tree Restaurant - original building in its woodland setting.

The 1932 Cherry Tree building — The Cherry Tree is described in a 1939 publicity booklet produced by the WGC Company as “a very attractive modern public house with extensive gardens, a restaurant and dance hall”.

Cherry Tree viewed from Hunter's Bridge — The Cherry Tree is described in a 1939 publicity booklet produced by the WGC Company as “a very attractive modern public house with extensive gardens, a restaurant and dance hall”.

Go to next location: Get Directions

3 - Council Offices

Crossing via the subway brings you to the Council Offices. They opened in 1937, expanding into the original Fire Station area after 1978.

WGC Fire Station — Council Offices with Fire Station partially visible on right

Go to next location: Get Directions

2 - John Lewis - site of the Welwyn Department Store

The original Welwyn Stores, a large wooden hut on the opposite corner of Parkway, opened in 1921 and was the first shop in the town selling virtually everything. This much grander Welwyn Department Store replaced it in 1939. Since 1983 it has been a branch of the John Lewis Partnership.

Welwyn Stores original building - a section of the light railway track (used to transport building materials around the town) can be seen in the bottom right corner.

Welwyn Stores original building extended The original Welwyn Stores building was extended. It was situated where Rosanne House now stands. Drawing of Welwyn Stores 1939 building Drawing of Welwyn Department Store 1939 building. Welwyn Stores opening crowds The new Welwyn Department Store attracted large crowds to its opening on 26th June 1939.

Go to next location: Get Directions

1 - Howard Centre - site of WGC Railway Station

The original station opened here in 1926, once the railway company were convinced it would be profitable. It was demolished in 1988. The new station opened in the Howard Centre in September 1990.

WGC’s new railway station from Garden Cities & Town Planning published December 1926 by the Garden Cities & Town Planning Association. — The town’s new railway station in 1926.

The new station was opened in 1926 by Neville Chamberlain, who was minister of health at the time. F.H. Masters OBE (chairman of the parish council) is second from the right on the dias. Mr W.H.C. Horn, with white hair and bow tie is immediately to the left behind Chamberlain. The figure second from the left with glasses and a moustache is Sir Frederic Osborn.

A beautifully planted Howardsgate with WGC Station on the right. Beyond the railway line the Shredded Wheat factory can be seen. Photograph dated 19 July 1927.

The new WGC Station was opened in 1926 by Neville Chamberlain, who was minister of health at the time. F.H. Masters OBE (chairman of the parish council) is second from the right on the dias. Mr W.H.C. Horn, with white hair and bow tie is immediately to the left behind Chamberlain. The figure on the left of the picture with glasses and a moustache is Sir Frederic Osborn. — The town’s new railway station in 1926.

The new station was opened in 1926 by Neville Chamberlain, who was minister of health at the time. F.H. Masters OBE (chairman of the parish council) is second from the right on the dias. Mr W.H.C. Horn, with white hair and bow tie is immediately to the left behind Chamberlain. The figure second from the left with glasses and a moustache is Sir Frederic Osborn.

A beautifully planted Howardsgate with WGC Station on the right. Beyond the railway line the Shredded Wheat factory can be seen. Photograph dated 19 July 1927.

Go to next location: Get Directions