RUSTIC BRIDGE AND OLD MILL

The ‘Rustic Bridge’ continues a long tradition

of decorative bridges in Cassiobury.

If you look from here you can see two weirs

that were built to hold back water to run a mill

and the brick arches which supported the building.

Downstream from here there were large areas of watercress beds

which were farmed by the Payne family until the 1960s.

The mill was used to pump water up to Cassiobury House

and was left unused after the house ceased to be occupied.

It had to be demolished in 1956 as it had become dangerous.

It was important to have a mill on the site

to serve the large community of people who lived on the estate,

not just the family in the house but all thier servants

and a host of estate workers.

It is harder to find out about these ordinary people than about the Earls,

but traces of their presence can be found.

If you visit St. Mary’s Churchyard in Watford

you can see the grave of George Edward Doney

and in the Hub you can read a copy of the memoir of Alice Herring

who lived on the estate when her father was employed as a gardener.

As well as Alice’s memoir and other written records related to the Cassiobury lands

and the Earls of Essex,

Watford Museum also has an extensive collection of pictures and photos

relating to the history of Cassiobury-

many of which feature people from all walks of life

who lived and worked in, or just visited, the house or park. 

To find out more about the history of Cassiobury,

follow the rest of the heritage trail.

A map of the trail can be obtained from the Hub, Cha Cafe and Watford Museum

(who have a Cassiobury collection )

or download it from www.watford.gov.uk/cassiobury

where you can also find information

about our education service and events in the park. 

THE GROVE BRIDGE

GRAND UNION CANAL