HISTORY

A brief history of The Old Barge

And Folly Island

1070s

Ralph De Limesi (a Norman) builds the Hertford Priory and its mill, which was on the Folly

1725

First recorded use of the name 'The Folly'

1766

Act of Parliament passed to improve the River Lea and build the navigation

1772

River Lea navigation completed

1802

Cottages built by John Hughes

1826

Clay pipe factory recorded on the resturant site.

1837

One of John Hughes' cottages is now an inn called 'The Jolly Bargeman'

1850s

Hertford dock built (Now the marina) Making the Folly an island.

1990

Inspector Morse episode 'The Infernal Serpent' Filmed at the old Barge

2008

The Old Barge gets a new sign

A famous former landlord at the Barge was Harry Curtis Garner who at one time held all national walking records between 1 and 30 miles. In 1891, in New York, he established a new World Record for the 1/4 mile — at 1 minute 23 seconds.

For more about the history of Hertford please visit the Hidden Hertford website