CASHIOBURY PARK stretches from the N.W. end of Watford, reaching—­together with Grove Park, which it joins—­to the parting of the ways at Langleybury Church (4 miles N.W. from Watford Old Church).  It is crossed from N. to S. by the river Gade.  The present mansion dates from 1800; it was built by Wyatt for the fifth Earl of Essex.  Disposed around an open courtyard, its many handsome apartments make a noble appearance; what was formerly part of the N. wing of the old mansion built by Sir Richard Morrison and his son Charles in the sixteenth century is still retained, although that house was largely rebuilt by the first earl, from designs furnished by Hugh May.  There is a fine library, and three smaller ones, the collection of books being very valuable; but in the estimation of many the pictures are still more so.  Among them may be named:  (1) Arthur Lord Capel and his family, C. Janssens; this was the Capel who defended Colchester and was beheaded in 1649; (2) Charles II., by Lely; (3) fifth Earl of Essex as a boy with his sister, by Reynolds, in frame carved by Grinling Gibbons; (4) Countess of Ranelagh, full length, by Kneller; (5) portrait by Rubens, probably of Charlotte de la Tremouille, afterwards Countess of Derby; (6) “Moll Davis” (actress), by Lely.  There are many others, especially further portraits of the Capel family.  The park and grounds are beautifully laid out.  The park is open to the public; but the house is shown only by special request.

WATTON or WATTON AT STONE is a large village on the Hertford-Stevenage road and the river Beane, 31/2 miles S.E. from Knebworth Station, G.N.R.  Its position is very central, the roads from Ware, Hertford, Great and Little Munden, Walkern, Stevenage, Welwyn and Tewin all converging within the area of the main street.  The church, at the S. end of the village, is Perp.; it was entirely restored in 1851.  Note (1) piscina and triple sedilia in chancel; (2) doors formerly leading to rood loft; (3) curious tombstone, E.E., in the churchyard; (4) E. window of stained glass, dating from the Restoration; (5) memorial window in the S. aisle to Lady Catherine Barrington.  The brasses are unusually old and interesting, e.g., (1) with canopied effigy, to Sir Philip Peletot (d. 1361); (2) to Sir E. Bardolf (d. 1455); the effigy is that of his wife, his own having been long missing; (3) to John Boteler (Butler) and family (1514).  The Boteler family, to whom there are many other memorials in the church, lived for many generations in the manor house of Woodhall, burnt in 1771.  The house stood on high ground in the beautiful Woodhall Park, E. from Watton Church, on the site occupied by the present fine mansion (Abel Smith, Esq., J.P.).  The Beane flows through the park and has been widened to form a large sheet of water S. from the house.

Welham Green is between Hatfield- and Mimms Parks, 2 miles S. from Hatfield Station.

Wellbury is 3 miles W. from Hitchin. Wellbury House (modern) stands in a small park; two small places of few inhabitants, called “Old” and “New” Wellbury, lie on the N.E. outskirts of the Park.