NORTHAW

NORTHAW (or Northaga as it was known in the 11th century) was historically an agricultural settlement. It was also the focus of the enclosure riots of 1548, which later spread to the rest of southern England. The parish was under the jurisdiction of St Albans Abbey, and records show that the original church was in use in the 15th century. The current church was erected in the late 19th century.
Northaw Conservation Area was designated in 1983, and reviewed in 1996. The conservation area seeks to protect the core of the village, focusing on the church and other significant buildings around the triangular village green.
Northaw is located on a ridge and overlooks fields and woodlands. The village itself retains an air of seclusion, however, due to an inward focus on its triangular village green. This green is the focal point of the village and of the conservation area. Some of Northaw's older buildings look onto the green, which covers Northaw's own reservoir, now unused. The green also provided an important open space and an attractive setting for the listed 19th century church.
Northaw's conservation area is a small concentration of modest red brick buildings, which vary considerably with regard to age and style. It is this mix that gives the settlement its character, as different styles co-exist, unified by their scale and materials.
The conservation area has two significant thoroughfares, Vineyards Road and Northaw Road West: The village green is location at the junction of the two. Church Lane leads off Vineyards Road, and has a few older properties within the boundary of the conservation area. To the east lies the more modern part of the village, which is not within the designated area, but which is also of local interest: the council houses on Northaw Road West were the first of their design to be built, while the area immediately behind the council houses is of local nature conservation importance.
Northaw's conservation area, and these reflect the overall architectural diversity of the village. The Parish Church of St Thomas a Becket is the most imposing, and was built in 1881 of rock cut stone. The Sun public house is a 17th century timber framed structure, extended at both ends in the late 18th or early 19th century.
The Two brewers public house has an even older core, dating back to the 16th century. Former economic uses are represented by the Old Bakery, now numbers 9 and 9a, Northaw Road West. With the exception of the telephone kiosk outside the post office, a K6 model, the remainder of Northaw's listed buildings are residential in character.
As mentioned above, red brick is the dominant building material, although this is interspersed with buildings such as 24 Northaw Road West, an 18th century weatherboarded structure, and other buildings which are timber framed, such as 8 Vineyards Road.
Roof lines are similarly diverse, although a steep pitch is common. Mansard roofs also feature in the conservation area, on the more imposing buildings such as the Old Vicarage and 16-20 Northaw Road West. The most common roofing material is plain clay tiles.
The majority of the windows are sliding sash windows, although here again there is variety, notably in the cambered lintel windows of Ivy Cottages.
It is primarily the scale of the buildings which provides the element of conformity in Northaw. The majority of the properties are small and low, while larger properties are set back slightly, their effect softened by the use of similar building materials. Frontages are irregular, and there is no regularity of line to be found along the main streets. This makes an important contribution to the village's informal character.
Northaw is further softened by the greenery that pervades the village, and by the presence of important but relatively informal open spaces such as the village green. The open grassed area on Northaw Road West, opposite Hook Lane, is an important component of the eastern approach to Northaw, while Hook Lane itself provides a link between the built and natural environments.
Trees make an important contribution to Northaw's appearance, notably at the western entrance to the village, and around the church. Individual trees in residential plots along Northaw Road West add significantly to the quality of the townscape, while the trees along the southern end of Church Lane noticeable enhance the view of the church from Northaw Road West.
As mentioned above, other important views are along Northaw Road West to the west, and across the village green to the church.