The area around Leverstock Green has from prehistoric times, been subject to human occupation. Palaeolithic flint axes, evidence of an Iron-Age settlement and a Bronze-Age horde (found by Sir John Evans along Westwick Row), have all been discovered in the area, as can be seen from the Archaeological Site Map. In fact, a report written by archaeologist Christopher Currie in the summer of 1998 for the Crown Estate, suggests that the area around Westwick was of importance from the Iron Age period, and was probably a "suburb" of the Iron Age settlement at Pre Wood. Scatters of flint tools together with the later Roman finds suggest that occupation of this immediate area has been more of less continuous from very early times. It was, however, the Romans who principally shaped the landscape as we know it today.
A glimpse at a currant map show Town development of Hemel Hempstead and to be within the Borough of Dacorum. This has not always been the case, although it's present size is due to its development as one of the New Town's Neighbourhood Communities. Unlike the other neighbourhoods, however, Leverstock Green was an existing rural village community (much within the Rural District of St. Albans) at the time of it's development - and care was taken to try and retain it's village character.
To return to the Romans; as the main roads through the village are of Roman origin, the shape and development of the village owes much to these routes, which are still present if in modern form. Until the diversion caused by the building of the dual-carriageway, the more important of the two roadways ran from beyond High Street Green to Bedmond and further. A smaller minor Roman route joined from St. Albans, roughly along the line of the present A4147. Where the two routes converged, a green eventually developed. Other Roman routes from St. Albans passed north of the village linking an important Roman Mausoleum at Woodlane End to St. Albans and Gadebridge. The Romano-British villa estate of Gorhambury reached as far west as Green Lane.
In the summer of 1998 important Roman remains were discovered at Handpost Lodge, Westwick Row, which show that a Roman building, probably a villa, was to be found in the immediate vicinity. As previously mentioned an important site had also been discovered within the area historically considered part of the Leverstock Green District; namely at Woodlane End. Also in recent years the site of a supposed Romano-British Villa or farmstead has been discovered (by aerial photography) behind Beechtree Cottages, at the present time sadly being developed into a new golf-course.
The site at Woodlane End is now considered to be a large temple-mausoleum complex including a large rectangular temple over 15.5 metres high, another smaller mausoleum, a bath-house complex, an administrative block and a granary. The site of the mausoleum itself was on a Roman route-way linking the principle Roman Road of Akeman Street with Verulamium (St. Albans), via Gorhambury and Gadebridge. It is also likely that the temple/mausoleum at Woodlane End would have been visible to and from another mausoleum discovered in 1992 in St. Albans, near to the City Hospital.
Prior to the development of new houses at the Handpost Lodge Site further archaeological work was required. Unfortunately the developer "jumped the gun" and began work without calling in the archaeologists. Following a High Court Injunction in February 2000, the archaeological team was brought in, and although as yet their full report has to be published, it is clear from what they did find that there was definitely a high status Roman settlement on or very nearby the site, and that they also found evidence of Iron-age occupation.
In Saxon times the manor of Westwick was established, having boundaries thought to be similar to those of the Roman villa estate of Gorhambury, and therefore covering most of the village and surrounding farmland of Leverstock Green. However, in light of the new evidence to suggest a villa site in Leverstock Green itself, Roman estate boundaries may have to be re thought. In the 10th century a Saxon Charter gave the manor of Westwick to St. Albans Abbey. Close inspection of all available maps shows that most of the local field systems were certainly well established by the time of the Norman conquest, and were therefore of Saxon origin - but has also recently suggested that they may indeed predate the Romans as in several instances the supposed line of the Roman Road cuts across the old field boundaries. If that is correct then many of the field boundaries around Leverstock Green could date back to Iron Age times, and this area may have been an important hinterland for the Iron age Opidium at Pre Wood.. A hedgerow survey undertaken in September 1994 along the hedge in Chambersbury Lane dated the hedgerow to the early 10th century. The lane was already known to be an ancient one, and a more recent survey along Pancake Lane has produced a similar date.
In the Middle Ages the road from St. Albans (now the A4147) was established as the principle route to the growing settlements of Hemel and Berkhamsted. It was known as the Berkhamsted Way or the Berkhamsted Highway. It wasn't until the development of the Turnpike Roads that it became more of a local route. Although there was no village of Leverstock Green during the middle ages (instead the main settlement was at Westwick, along Westwick Row).
One of the oldest recorded farmsteads was in the centre of today's village was Stonards. This property is known to have existed from the 13th century to the 16th century, and was to be found behind the present day "Litten Tree", previously called "The White Horse". Even more remarkably, Westwick Cottage along Westwick Row, has now been proved to have been continuously inhabited since the late 12th century, and was very possibly the original manor house of the manor of Westwick.
Leverstock Green was from the middle ages to the early 19th century the name given to the area of green (that is common grazing land) that had developed at the junction of the two roadways, and which continued in a wide verge on either side of the road as far as High Street Green. This can be clearly seen on the map. By the 17th century the small manor of Market Oak (or Markate Oake) was also given the alias Leverlestock Green. This manor had originally been given to the nuns of Markyate Priory (hence the name Markate or Market), and stretched roughly from the site of the present Church in between the Bedmond and St. Albans roads, to just beyond Blackwater Lane.
Westwick is now officially recognised as a Shrunken Medieval village. Originally it was thought to have been centred around Gorhambury, with the focus of settlement shifting to Westwick Row by the mid 16th century at the latest, though probably earlier. However, recent research has now shown that the main settlement of Westwick, (Saxon and Medieval) and indeed possibly the original 12th century Hall built by Geoffrey de Goreham, to having always been centred around Westwick Row, and developing outwards to incorporate the later medieval, Tudor and present-day sites at Gorhambury. The fullest extent of the "village" being possibly during the 14th century, with it then shrinking back to being principally those dwellings off Westwick Row - Gorhambury developing it's own separate identity, which was reinforced after the building of Sir Nicholas Bacon's Gorhambury in 1563.
Considerable documentation exists showing that for many centuries the concentration of individual farmsteads and labourers tenements along or immediately off Westwick Row was the principle focus for settlement, and until its demolition in 1633 a great tithe barn was to be found off the Row more or less opposite today's Westwick Warren.
However, that does not mean to say that there was no settlement elsewhere. From the beginning of the middle ages the whole area was cultivated, and many records exist to tell us the ancient names of the various fields. In fact the pattern of field boundaries and lanes was well established, so that the roads, lanes, and many of the field boundaries shown on the mid-19th century O.S. maps had been relatively unchanged for centuries. A remnant of medieval strip farming can even be seen on the 1872 map in the narrow boundaries of Winchdell Common off Bunkers Lane.
By the early 17th century we know that the principle farmsteads in the area were well established, and documentation shows a thriving community with many long established yeoman families; although at that time the market centres were in Hemel, Abbots Langley and St. Albans. It was also during the 17th century that the Grimston's, as Lords of the Manor of Gorhambury, Westwick, Prey and Leverstock Green, began to improve and consolidate their estate, gradually obtaining the freehold to most of the land within their manors by the end of Victoria's reign.
Ecclesiastically from Medieval times until the creation of the Parish of Leverstock Green, the area was divided between three parishes: Hemel Hempstead, St Michaels and Abbots Langley. Politically Hemel parish was in the Hundred of Dacorum, and the other two in the Liberty of St. Albans (and the Hundred of Cashio).
By the early 18th century more dwellings had appeared around the green, The Leather Bottle was established, as was a Smithy at the end of the original Blacksmiths Row. (During the 17th century a Blacksmith called Richard Hannell lived at Dell cottage in Westwick Row, presumably plying his trade from his home.) Listed Building status is currently being sought for Dell Cottage.
By the time Victoria came to the throne, the small brick and tile making industry centred for centuries at Tile Kiln, began to grow, so that by the mid 19th century brick making was an important local industry, bringing with it an increase in population and the need for a local church; Holy Trinity being consecrated in 1849. The Leverstock and Acorn Brick Co. excavated brick earth not merely from the Tile Kiln Lane/Bennetts End area, but also from the area around Wood Lane End which Charles Dickens used as a model for the brickworks in "Bleak House". An area off the present Leverstock Green Way was also a brick field; Pelham Court Flats being built on the site. The few Victorian properties in the village are largely built from "Leverstock Reds".
Leverstock Green was, despite the brick industry which continued until the 1930's, essentially a rural community with its own Church, Chapel, School, Post Office, Blacksmith, general store, Parish Hall and plenty of pubs. Curtis Road was built in 1926 by St. Albans RDC, and other development slowly took place during the 1930's, 40's and 50's. But the biggest changes came with the development of the New Town of Hemel Hempstead.
The old Leverstock Green was in effect cut in two by the building of the dual-carriageway. Boundaries were redrawn, and new districts of Adeyfield and Bennetts End were created, changing forever the geographical (and political) perception of what is considered to be the area of Leverstock Green. Large residential estates were built and a new village centre was created. The green was enlarged to it's present size. Eventually the boundaries of the Borough of Hemel Hempstead (later Dacorum) were redrawn so that all of Leverstock Green is now within its jurisdiction. (Previously much was in St. Albans RDC.)
In 1901, when the parish of Leverstock Green was considerably larger than today's ward, the population was 649, rising to 804 in 1931. Since development as a residential area of the New Town, Leverstock Green Ward (which is now confined to just the area this side of the dual carriageway, and is now part of Dacorum Borough), has a population which peaked at over 7,000 in 1981. Yet despite this development, many residents of Leverstock Green still regard themselves as living in a village and being part of a village community. We have a Village Centre, a Village Hall and a Village Association (LGVA).
The present Leverstock Green Village Association and Leverstock Green Parish Trust (both registered charities), owe their existence to the fund-raising efforts and generosity of earlier generations of residents of Leverstock Green. On 19th April 1920 the deeds relating to "The Leverstock Green Parish Hall Trust" were finalised and signed. This trust was an extension of that trust which had originally been set up in 1915 when land at the corner of Pancake Lane and Leverstock Green Road had been given by a local farmer/landowner John Knox Hart for the express purpose of building a parish (village) hall. The original intention being that the hall should act as a memorial to those who died in the Great War. However, fund-raising efforts by Leverstock Green inhabitants had begun as early as 1905 as the need for a meeting hall in the village was sorely felt. All manner of events, including the first ever Village Fete and Sports were held in order to raise the necessary money.
Prior to this time the only meeting places in Leverstock Green (apart from the Church and Chapel) were the numerous Ale Houses and Public Houses in the village. Consequently in 1915 an area of land at the corner of Pancake Lane and Leverstock Green Road, was conveyed to Trustees for use as a Parish Hall, Club or Institute.
As a consequence of the 1920 Trust, the original modest building on the site was superseded by a more substantial wooden structure and a hard tennis court. This building was used for just about everything: a meeting place, a public library, a clinic, meetings of local organisations including Brownies, Guides, Scouts etc. and as a canteen/dining room for Leverstock Green School from the time of the 2nd World War. By the early 60's it was obvious to the Trustees that the original hall was well past its sell-by date, and with the development of Hemel Hempstead New Town, plans were made for a new Village Hall to be built by the Development Corporation.
In July 1974 the present Leverstock Green Village Hall was eventually opened, with the LGVA administering the hall. In 1987, after consultation with the Charity Commissioners, the land at the corner of Pancake Lane and Leverstock Green Road, owned by the "Parish Hall Trust" was sold. It was also decided that the name and purpose of the Trust should change, although the Trustees should remain the same. Fortunately the land was sold at the height of the property boom and the proceeds of the sale invested in Trustee Securities. Owing to considerable red-tape it was not until March 25th 1992 that the new Trust Deed was completed, and the new Trust could be operated. Since then the Trust has funded many projects, events and activities within Leverstock Green. Both the Constitution of LGVA and the Scheme laid down by the Charity Commissioners for the Leverstock Green Parish Trust are based on the original Trust Deed of 1920.
It is to be hoped that the above information has proved of interest and will help you to appreciate why Leverstock Green residents are so supportive of their community and concerned in preserving its long heritage. It should also explain why do not just think of ourselves as being part of Hemel Hempstead. We have a very strong community spirit which is very firmly rooted in our historical past and the rural community which existed as a recognised separate village from the eighteenth century, and a cohesive community from Medieval times. In addition, the basic infrastructure of our area is almost totally medieval or Roman in origin, and this has had a strong influence in maintaining the community spirit of the area. This is a heritage which those of us actively involved in the community are determined to preserve.
Barbara Chapman
8 August 2000
Local Historian for Leverstock Green and Chairman Leverstock Green Village Association
