Guestbook
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February 1, 2008 17:21 PM
Paula Lloyd from Waltham Cross, United Kingdom
Me and my brother used to go upto Temple Bar with our parents and grandparents for lovely walks with the dog and go there with friends as we got older! i used to go up there on my pony with friends. It was nice where it was but it was a bit forgotten up there surrounded by trees and looked a bit sorry for its self.its nice to see it back where it belongs!!
October 26, 2005 20:44 PM
Ailsa Trense from United Kingdom
I used to go with my younger brothers and my younger sister to play in the woods that surrounded the temple bar - the bar although diminished in it's exile still gave the woods a grandeur that i could appreciate, even as a child. I would like to see it in it's restoration.
October 03, 2005 08:12 AM
Patricia Hanna Wilk from United States
Just found your site after reading "Earthly Joys" and wanting to research Theobalds and John Tradescant. I knew nothing about Temple Bar other than the name from earlier visits to London. I am anxious to return to the city. Obviously much has occurred since I was last there.
August 20, 2005 13:50 PM
Graham Gill from United Kingdom
I am one of the naughty boys that climbed up the bar into the small room above the gate.I was a pupil at Theobalds Park School until it finaly closed in 1969 And have a lot of fond memeries of the whole estate.When I found this site last year I was excited when I found out about the resite of the bar and have since be to London and paid the bar a well worth visit.Standing there with my wife just looking and remernising was great and felt that every penny spent in bring this graet structure back to London was well spent.The most annoying thing was that I forgot to take my camera.Next time I will.
June 11, 2005 00:31 AM
Irene Ward from United States
When I was an undergraduate studying British literature, I came across refereneces to Temple Bar all the time. When I was finally able to visit London, I wanted to get to Temple Bar. But, it was long gone by then. Just last Friday, I was coming out of the north door of St. Paul's and there before me was a grand old gate. I suspected it was the old Temple Bar. Could it be! I'm so please that this historic structure has been recovered and brought back to a place of prominence in London. Thank you.
May 09 , 2005 18:38 PM
Philip Elgar from United Kingdom
We used to visit the Temple Bar with our children twenty years ago when it was sited in the woods at Theobalds Park. They loved the story of its chequered history and we wrote to Prince Charles to ask for its return to the City. We were thrilled to hear that it is now safely back in the great City of London. Recently I met John, the City of London Solicitor, who clearly played a part in this restoration. So to John and to all those involved - congratulations and thank you!
April 24 , 2004 21:36 PM
David Ridley from United Kingdom
I went to theobalds school in the late 50s and loved the old lady.I found a roman coin by one of the gates and still have today glad to see it now live and well.
March 22 , 2005 22:15 PM
Diane Wilkes from Cheshunt, United Kingdom
I grew up in Bury Green and often went for walks to Temple Bar, this website brings back many memories. I remember in the late 70´s early 80´s exploring Temple Bar, going up the stairs and into the first floor room with one window to the front and one at the back. It is definitely haunted, because as we looked out the back window into the woods we saw a lady all dressed in black, who then just vanished. I hope soon to go to London to see Temple Bar again.
November 26, 2004 19:07 PM
Byron & Janet Smith from Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
We have today 26 November, 2004 visited the Temple Bar Gateway re-furbished and erected in Paternoster Square next to St Pauls Cathedral and what a magnificent site it now looks !! What fond memories have been posted of Temple Bar when in Theobalds Park close to our home town of Cheshunt where we were both born, grew up and married there. Like many we have been passionate about Temple Bar having only seen it in dereliction all our lives, took many photographs, wrote to HRH Prince Charles in the early nineties, have mixed feelings about its loss to us having always hoped it would be restored at Theobalds. However, clearly back to its former glory now where so many cultures can perhaps admire a significant part of our History and the unique story of its birth and re-birth. A warm welcome back to the "Temple Bar Gateway" and all those who have contributed in its return and made all visible by way of the Harris Digital Productions Website.
November 10, 2004 18:42 PM
Caroline James from United Kingdom
I was at the ceremony today when the Lord Mayor opened Temple Bar and it was an exciting and emotional experience to be among the first to walk through it in its new setting in The City.
November 7, 2004 12:57 PM
Jeannette Mann/Lamb from United Kingdom
I grew up near Bullsmoor Lane. In the early 1950s I went to Theobalds when it was a school. We spent art lessons drawing dear old Temple Bar. Am so glad it has been restored to its former glory. I recently stayed at the conference centre and can say from experience it is haunted!!
October 18, 2004 18:23 PM
Patrick Lee from United Kingdom
I remember as a young Scout, in the 1980s, walking past the Temple Bar in Theobalds, when it was mostly hidden by trees.
Cheshunt's loss of this fascinating monument, will be the gain of the City of London!
October 13, 2004 00:22 AM
John Wright from Canada
In the early 1950's just before I was born in Enfield, my parents and grandparents and sister lived at Theobalds. I have a beautiful photograph from that time depicting a meeting of the hounds at Temple Bar in Theobalds. The setting of the monument in the park is magically incongruous. Congratulations on siting this important public artifact where it will get the deserved attention. I hope your calendar will showcase its sabbatical in Theobalds.
September 24, 2004 15:38 PM
Geoffrey T. Sowter from United Kingdom
My wife and I are celebrating 52 years of happy marriage.
I proposed and was accepted at Temple Bar in Theobalds Park.
We would like to be present when it is officially established on its new site.
September 20, 2004 13:34 PM
David & Jenny Crispin from United Kingdom
My wife and I have been following the re-building of Temple Bar very closely since purchasing a copy of a John Piper print called Five Gates of London. This features Temple Bar and is now the only surviving "London Gate" in the picture. How great it is to see it almost back in action! We have also visited the site as often as we can. Looking forward to the opening.
September 6, 2004 23:30 PM
Philip St Pride from United Kingdom
Many a time as a child I passed the site of Temple Bar in Fleet street and as I grew older I tracked down and tried to visit it near Hoddesdon. I never really succeeded in getting right up to it but saw a lot of bushes around the structure. After so many years of talking about it, reading about it in Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities" and telling tales of the heads and the telescopes and Tellson's bank, I can hardly wait to see it back at last in its rightful City if not quite its rightful place.Well done City in preserving, saving and restoring such an emotional structure.
August 27, 2004 12:22 PM
Katie Grant from United Kingdom
I am the descendant of Francis Towneley, whose head was displayed on Temple Bar in 1746. He was a Jacobite and the last man in Britain to be hung, drawn and quartered. I am currently writing a novel in which Temple Bar makes an appearance, but have not, so far, seen it. I would welcome comments and impressions from those who have, even when it was dilapidated, particularly from anybody who (probably naughtily) climbed up it. Perhaps you could post them on the website?
August 25, 2004 23:55 PM
Karen and Chris Wares from United Kingdom
I first heard about Temple Bar when working at Middle Temple and was fascinated by its story. My husband and I then decided to track it down and visit. This was not an easy task when relying on public transport! We finally got out to Theobalds Park in 2002. It was heartbreaking to see how this beautiful building, such an important piece of history, had been neglected.We were so glad to hear the Temple Bar was to be restored and brought back to London where it belongs.
August 6, 2004 19:49 PM
Kenneth Ludlow from Canada
I was in London a few days ago and "discovered" the Temple Bar constuction site while visiting St.Pauls. How fitting that the cathedral and Temple Bar are receiving much needed attention at the same time. A great tribute to Sir Christopher Wren; and certainly the whole development around St. Paul's sets a fine example to anyone trying to preserve their cities' architectural heritage in other parts of the world. Well done!
July 30, 2004 18:05 PM
Graham Gill from United Kingdom
Sad to see the old bar go, but it has to be for the best as the last time i saw it, (after leaving Theobalds Park School in 1969 when it closed) it looked in a sorry state. Only old photos show it in all it's glory, but alas in it's last years it was only a folly, a gateway to know-where. I feel sad I did not see the dismantling of the bar but will have great pleasure in visiting the old girl after restoration, at it's final resting place, LONDON, it's original home.
July 14, 2004 20:47 PM
Valeire Brignull from United Kingdom
I have been following this site, as my mad biker the stone mason called Gaz is working on the site, so its always a topic we talk about,and hope to go and see the finished project, all the boys work very hard to meet the target, and they are proud to put back our national momument,the detail is a fine show of their work, and l hope to take my grandchildren to see it, knowing it will be there for their grandkids too.
June 27, 2004 10:52 AM
Stuart Dwyer from United Kingdom
I grew up in the area and spent many happy years at Theobalds Park. I remember the old lady with great afection and have mixed feelings about the move to London. Temple Bar was part of the areas history but was clearly falling into a sad state of repair. I would love to have seen her restored and protected where she was but if this move is the only way to secure her future from decay then so be it. I will make a rare journey to London once the work has been completed.
June 4, 2004 23:41 PM
Lindsay Bartrop-White from Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Yes temple bar first viewed in the early 1960 s the dreaded riversmead school cross-country run. freezing most times in navy blue knickers unless your parents had found 30 shillings for a school tracksuit. made a point of sitting in the bushes most time by the lodge at the park entrance.......therefore missed it most times......teachers never checked...
lots of bike rides and a shame how it fell into such a state last seen from the back of my horse in the late 70 s sad but very peacefull.
May 1, 2004 17:41 PM
Tricia Power from United Kingdom
I grew up in hoddesdon, not far from cheshunt and the Temple Bar. Sadly, I had never seen Temple Bar until I came to work at Theobalds Park Conference centre in 1995. The first time I saw the Temple bar I was amazed at its beauty and fell in love. I read as much information as I could find about her and have remained fascinated to this day. What is about pieces of stone that can invoke such emotion?. Reading the web site you can feel how many people care about this magnificent structure. During my years working for the Conference centre at Theobalds Park hundreds of people came by to enquire about the Temple Bar or just to chat about their memories of a childhood spent exploring the Myth of the gateway. I was privileged to travel past her on my way to and from work every day. Therefore, I am delighted that the dismantling and rebuilding of this piece of english heritage is being carried out with such respect. Our area of England has been subject to many changes and some incredible architectural jewels have been lost in recent history. This small corridor from London has almost changed beyond recognition. Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and waltham Cross suffering greatly from councils decisions to allow the building of bland monuments and Pedestrianised concrete shopping nightmares. I am very happy that at last we are treating our monuments with dignity and incorporating them back into the landscape of future. Thank you to all involved in the project.
April 28, 2004 13:46 PM
Chris Ruff from City of London, United Kingdom
Looking forward to this historic piece of the Capital's heritage to return to the place it belongs - The City of London
April 27, 2004 13:16 PM
Liam Godden from Hoddesdon, Herts, United Kingdom
I grew up in Bury Green, and always remember my mother and my uncle taking me for walks along the old path that lead to Temple Bar. I later took my wife to see it (as she was born and raised in Hertford she'd never been to see it!), and it was in a sad state of repair. I will look foward to seeing it in it's full splendour when it is finished.
April 19, 2004 16:32 PM
Andrew Clayden from Stanstead Abbotts, United Kingdom
Being born in the mid fifties in Bury Green Road (where my mother still lives),Temple Bar was one of my childhood haunts (along with The Canyon and the walk from Bury Green Farm along the New River). With the opening of the Goffs Oak Relief Road (Leuitenant Ellis Way) and the loss of Temple Bar, another landmark of my childhood has dissapeared. Whilst being glad that Temple Bar will be seen in all it's former glory where it belongs, it's a shame that we didn't look after it better when it was in it's country home. Although now living in Stanstead Abbotts (just 4 miles up the road) I am still involved in Cheshunt life, being the secretary of The Bakers and Sweeps Charity (nearly 100 years old) and an admirer of the work of the local historians Jack Edwards and Peter Rooke. Also your good self who has made an excellent web site to keep us old Cheshuntarians up to date with the moving of Temple Bar.
April 13, 2004 21:36 PM
P. Nason from Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Being born in Bury Green in the late forties, and playing in the then, what was known as the Canyon and Crater woods, Temple Bar was always a mystical place, especially as my Great Grandfather was one of the stonemasons who originally built it in Theobalds.
Returning many years later, I was very sad to see it vandalised and neglected. So I am pleased that it is going back to London.
March 28, 2004 18:03 PM
Lita Savage from Bury Green, United Kingdom
I grew up around Temple Bar,I was Born in Ermine Close My brothers,sister and friends would come home from school and spend the summer evenings playing and climbing over Temble Bar. I never left Cheshunt and my parents still live in Ermine Close. My own children followed my footsteps and enjoyed walks through the woods to see Temple Bar and here the stories of my pass, and the fun that we had swimming in the New River. We will miss Temple Bar and soon the lovely quiet walks, St. Marys School will be built on the Old Farm site.
March 25, 2004 13:54 PM
Ross Warner from United Kingdom I am very pleased that this fine and historc arch has been returned to London. The new position is ideal, it will certainly generate a lot of interest.
March 1, 2004 05:45 PM
John Wareham from Australia
I was so pleased I chanced upon your site some months ago and have been following the progress of relocating Temple Bar with interest.I first saw Temple Bar in the early 50's. I lived in Enfield Wash and in those days few people had cars or television, so a popular pastime on summer Sunday evenings for families in our area was to walk to the "Plough" in Turkey Street or the "Pied Bull" in Bulls Cross. Sometimes we would go a little further and this is when I first saw Temple Bar. In those days, whilst unoccupied, it was still in good condition. I was always intrigued as to how they managed to stick the heads of traitors on the top! Later I would ride through the Theobalds estate on my bicycle to Cheshunt and on other occasions go camping at the nearby camp site. On one occasion whilst camping , a few of us went off to investigate Temple Bar. At that time the lodge was roofless, so access was not difficult and we managed to climb inside and look around.It was sad to see the state of deterioration of the building over recent years and I am pleased to see that it will now be reinstated to its original state and be admired and appreciated by thousands.
February 10, 2004 16:23 PM
Thirza Woodstack from United Kingdom
Fabulous website for dear Temple Bar. Will look forward to seeing it in November very much great project.
February 7, 2004 22:55 PM
Vanessa from United Kingdom
I have fond memories of Temple Bar dating back to my teens in the 1970's. I had visited the Theobalds site on many occasions and once went ghost hunting on Halloween. It was rumoured that the spirit of a woman had been seen going through the gates. I hasten to add all I saw was startled wildlife! I always felt it was a shame to find such a architecturally interesting and historically important building hidden away at bottom of a muddy track and obscured by undergrowth. It was subjected to acts of mindless vandalism because of its remote location and even nature had been allowed to try and destroy its very fabric. Imagine my delight when I heard that The City of London Corporation were to renovate and relocate Temple Bar to Paternoster Square. Much that I am sad to see it moved from the Theobalds site, I feel that it did not deserve the fate that slow decay would bring. At last it can now regain it's former dignity and visitors to London will be able to admire this once hidden beauty. I am looking forward to seeing this marvellous structure once again standing proud.
January 27, 2004 12:10 PM
John Carnaby from United Kingdom
It was interesting during my Sunday visit to Paternoster Square to meet the Site Manager Gary Collings. I was there when the final stages of the high level support scaffolding were being craned into place.
The really exciting construction work is soon to begin.
January 21, 2004 - 05:05 PM
EDDIE WRIGHT from United Kingdom
Seeing the pictures of the Temple Bar brought back many happy memories, of when my children Geoffrey and Juliana were small. We went for walks every sunday and always passed by the Temple Bar, usually covered in mud. It was the happiest time of thier childhood. I hope it has its last resting place in Paternoster Square. We will definately be there when it is officially secured, most likely with a tear in our eyes.
4 January 10, 2004 - 12:38 AM
tony warren from United Kingdom
Great see the gate returning to it's roots. Still remember the thrill seeing it for the first time. After hearing almost myth likes stories about the old gates of London hidden in the woods as a child, we one day finally plucked up courage and crossed the Goffs Oak link road to search for the gates. After riding down the dark wet and muddy path there was an opening, suddenly you could see the gates !, ''wow they really do exist''.
I look forward to the thrill (all mine) of taking my small son to see the gate in it's new home for the fisrt. He may be a little more impressed when I tell him I once creeped in and climbed the stairs to the main room for a better look.
Good luck & see you London soon.
5 November 09, 2003 - 03:38 PM
Janet Heinrich from United Kingdom
My old home was opposite Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield.In those days loved cycling,from the age of 12, even going as far as Potters Bar and St Albans(an impossible these days, as the whole way is covered in motorways. And who would let four young people cycle that far on their own today!!)One of my favourite journeys was through Whitewebbs Park and on towards Theobalds Park. I loved seeing Temple Bar, but it saddened me very much throught the years to see how much it deteriorated. Now I read that it is going to be taken back to London! How marvellous! All I can say is "Yippee"!
I look forward very much, to visiting it when it is returned to it new home!
6 November 09, 2003 - 07:39 AM
Keith Geddes from United Kingdom
Well, I watch, on this site..as a `grand old lady` is dismantled, drilled with holes for lifting gear.. individual stones which mean NOTHING on their own.. I`ve just found pictures I took years ago, with the old fencing.. looking OK.... I also have my own camcorder tapes of it from the time somewhere.. THEN..no one cared..and it WASNT falling to bits? To me its a piece of Hertfordshire heritage/history that should have been left alone? So its been cleaned..was it cleaned prior to being brought to Cheshunt from the builders yard Lady Mieux bought it from? So years of history has been removed...?Gone.I dont subscribe to the fairy tale of it being brought `back` to London..as part of a multi million pound `refurbishment` of Paternoster Square? The fairy tale was Lady Meux `fancying` it as the back gate of her garden? So its goodbye, old friend.
7 November 05, 2003 - 09:12 PM
DEREK PARKER from Canada
Your Temple Bar website brings back so many wonderful memories of growing up as a bunch of young boys from the Baker St./Ridler Rd. area growing up after the war who used to visit Temple Bar on a regular basis during our summer holidays.I remember the horse trough and the air raid siren at Forty Hill, past Clock House and Maidens Bridge and onto Temple Bar and maybe a bit of fishing on the New River. We used to climb all over the dear old lady, never destructive I might add, I think in those days it was covered in ivy or such like. What a well deserved tribute you are paying to this great piece of architecture and what a fitting resting place.
Excellent Website!
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Last updated:
23 April, 2008