1871 - Swan Inn, Wheathampstead

After the very long journey by horse and carriage in 1870, when it took 4½ hours to reach No Man's Land (just North of St Albans) from Kings Cross, it was decided for 1871 to use the Great Northern Railway to reach the Swan Inn at Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire.
 
In early July Thomas Herbert wrote to the landlord Mr Burgess saying ‘I write this note to inform you we have decided on our annual at your Inn on Saturday July 15th 1871 to consist of Meat Poultry Pastry, Desert after, as agreed to be at table about 1 o'clock.  We shall arrive by fast train to Wheathampstead.  Number about 22.'
 
Wheathampstead station had opened with the rest of the Hatfield to Dunstable section of the line on 1st September 1860, and the party caught the 9.22am train from Kings Cross, returning on the 7.52pm.
 

 
1871 - Swan Inn, Wheathampstead
Image of 1871 - Swan Inn, Wheathampstead
Herbert History - 1871 - Swan Inn, Wheathampstead