Windmill Hill
Hermitage Road and Windmill Hill
This photograph is taken on Windmill Hill looking down toward Hermitage Road. The two are linked by the wealthy quaker banker called Frederic Seebohm who had a large house on Bancroft, known as the Hermitage. He gave part of his back garden to form Hermitage Road in 1875. (Roughly the same time the windmill on Rawlings Hill burnt down) He aquired the land and built the Hitchin Girls’ Grammar School in 1907 and then his two daughers donated the rest of the hill to the people of Hitchin in 1921.
The photograph here is of Windmill Hill looking up from Hermitage Road. Originally called Rawlings Hill, because of the Mill there, it was then known as Windmill Hill after if burnt down as mentioned above. The miller’s cottage was still standing on the Hollow Lane side of the hill until 1950; and there was a house built on the hill in the 1920’s, but was unpopular and is no longer there. The two photographs illustrate quite well I think, just how green the centre of Hitchin is.
Widmill Hill Steps
These steps and surrounding retaining wall of Windmill Hill (Off Hollow Lane) were built in 1931 and probably the wonderful apartments of Garrison Court were built at the same time too. This view is not often shown in photographs of Windmill Hill due to it’s supposed less dramatic prospect or vista; but is actually preferred because it is quieter than the Hermitage Road side.
Forlorn But Not Forgotten
Behind some lovely 1930s flats off Hollow Lane by Windmill Hill in Hitchin, is an unloved and unwanted wicker Lloyd Loom type chair. Now forgotton, it sits covered in leaves, in weeds and next to some holly and ivy. How hauntingly beautiful. A serendipitous find on my walk home from a good day at work.
Johnny Cash Graffiti
Coming up Hollow Lane there will be found a set of steps towards the top, leading up on to Windmill Hill. There will be found a piece of ‘stencil’ graffiti that looks like Johnny Cash. A serendipitous find when walking Jo-Jo’s dog, Henry.
Windmill Hill Toilets
At the bottom left of Windmill Hill, was a public convenience and a telephone kiosk. These were still there up to the 1970s. By the 1980s they had been demolished. The gaps that were left behind are still there and not filled in. These two photographs illustrate the area that was once the Gentlemen’s WC; leaving behind the wonderful glazed tiles and ivy. The Telephone Kiosk area is just to the right of this.
