Hitchin Tourist Information

Hitchin, lies to the north of the county, four miles south-west of Letchworth.

Britain's oldest road, the Icknield Way, runs nearby.

For hundreds of years Hitchin was a thriving market town and in the 18th century prospered still further as a staging post for London coaches. Many of the inns from that time, with their picturesque courtyards, can still be seen today.

After the arrival of the railway in the mid-19th century the Corn Exchange was built in the Market Place and Hitchin soon became established as a major centre for grain trading. In the 20th century the construction of the M1 and A1(M) brought great improvements to Hitchin's communications and prosperity.

The compact town has retained its market feel and there are many fine Tudor and Georgian buildings, particularly around the market square. The historic market is still held near the church every Tuesday and Saturday.

The town's facinating history can be seen in the Hitchin Museum. The intriguing Hitchin British Schools Museum is housed in a unique collection of scholastic buildings in Queen Street.