Sunday, May 11, 2014

What a silly place to build a row of posh semi-detached villas in about 1835?


Help Desk
Railways
At Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead, there are a row of early 19th century semi-detached Georgian style villas in what was originally open countryside, although they are now surrounded by a 20th century housing estate. One might expect such a row in a town area - but not in such a rural situation. A row of modest cottages built by a farmer for his labourers might be expected but surely if anyone was building a house with perhaps a dozen rooms in open countryside it would be a detached house on its own plot.

Hemel Hempste
Jeff wanted to know why - and the answer is linked with the London to Birmingham Railway, that opened in 1837.

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