|
|
St Pauls Walden is a small village situated about 5 miles south of Hitchin and 6 miles north-west of Welwyn Garden City.
The village has a pub, The Strathmore Arms, and an attractive church called All Saints.
On the southern edge of the village is St Paul's Walden Bury, a large stately home which has been home to the Bowes Lyon family since 1725. Although a private house, the family normally open the gardens once a year in the summer to raise money for charity. The gardens are full of beautiful allees and avenues that flow away from the house into the countryside. Statues and temples appear at frequent intervals along the avenues. It was at the house that The Queen Mother (Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon) was born at the house in 1900. Although it states this on the Queen Mother's birth certificate, this fact is sometimes doubted since her father did not formally register her birth for 6 weeks. On 13 January 1923, whilst walking in the woods around the house, Elizabeth accepted the proposal of marriage from Price Albert. They were married 3 months later in Westminster Abbey and became Duke and Duchess of York. Their first daughter, Princess Elizabeth, became Queen in 1952.
One mile west of St Pauls Walden is Stagenhoe, an impressive building that is now a Sue Ryder Care Home.
|
| |
