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The history and evolution of Gobions from 1718 onwards

Scan of a coloured etching of Gobions Canal Image from the former Gobions Woodland Trust
A coloured etching of Gobions Canal
Image from the former Gobions Woodland Trust

In 2000, the former Gobions Woodland Trust (GWT) commissioned a study to "help inform the development of a restoration and management plan for Gobions Wood, North Mymms, Hertfordshire". The resulting Heritage Report was prepared under the direction of Andrew Harland of Landscape Design Associates from Peterborough (now LDA Design Consulting Ltd) and published in March 2002.

Images and maps


The report (embedded below) also has 15 images and 20 old maps dating back to 1718. To view the report in full screen, hover over it and then click on the black pop-out icon top right. The pictures and links to the maps are embedded below the report. Each image can be clicked to expand, and each map can also be expanded so that you can zoom in to study the fine detail.


In the report (above), Appendix B (Tree Survey) and Appendix C (Features and Earthworks Survey) refer to an EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement) survey. To view the EDM map (below) in full screen, hover over it and then click on the black pop-out icon top right.


The 15 images contained in the report

Click on any of the images to enlarge. All images are taken from the report commissioned by the former Gobions Woodland Trust and produced by Landscape Design Associates. Each image has a caption beneath, the caption is the exact wording used in the original report.


Scan of a painting from 1748, ‘Perspective View of The Canal at Gubbins in Hertfordshire, a Seat of Sir Jeremy Sambrooke’ by Chatelain

1748, ‘Perspective View of The Canal at Gubbins in Hertfordshire, a Seat of Sir Jeremy Sambrooke’ by Chatelain


1748, ‘Perspective View of The Bowling Green at Gubbins’ by Chatelain


c1750, the rotunda with statue of Hercules above the Cascade by Ryland


1814, Gobions Park in the woods, artist unknown


1818, South front of Gobions house by J.P. Neale


C. 1833, view of Gobions house from the east by a Kemble family member


C. 1833, view of Gobions house from the south by a Kemble family member


C. 1833, view of Gobions house from the south by a Kemble family member


C. 1833, View of Gobions house from the west by a Kemble family member


1840, South view of Gobions, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler


1840, South-west view of Gobions, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler


1840, East view of Gobions, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler


1840, View of Gobions from Hatfield Road, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler


1840, View of Gobions Park, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler


1840, South view of the Gateway in Gobions Park, Hertfordshire by J.C. Buckler



Click the link to be taken to each map referred to in the 118-page Gobions Heritage Report, then hover over the map and click the 'pop out' button in order to zoom in to see the fine detail, which becomes clearer as the map downloads.



Online editor's note added April 2018: It has been pointed out that map 15 in the list of related maps below does not show some roads (Woodlands and Shrublands) that existed in 1980, so it is confusing that the map is dated 1991. Also, it is likely that the original is at a scale of 1:10,000, rather than 6" to one mile. We have been unable to find for definite the source from which the map was copied. We are leaving the Heritage Report text as it was published, with just this comment to guide readers.


Partial funding for The Gobions Wood Heritage Study was provided by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.