Berkhamsted's Finest Architect: Charles Henry Rew

Charles Henry Rew (1842-1912) trained as an engineer, these skills underpinning the rest of his architectural career at first in London working under GE Street then in partnership with Charles Driver, before moving to Berkhamsted in the mid 1880s. For the next 27 years Rew was consistently chosen as the architect for all major building projects in Town, whether re-ordering St Peters Church (1886-8), being responsible for all of the school buildings from this period , installing the town's sewage works , as well as designing numerous houses, ranging from modest terrace houses in New Street to majestic residences which mark the expanding suburbs of the commuter town.

Sadly, a number of Rew contributions to Berkhamsted have been demolished or severely altered, but much remains, and the illustrated talk and tour will identify many of these survivals. With the help of hitherto unseen plans and drawings , participants will learn to spot Rew's trademark architectural features and appreciate the carefully engineered designs , whilst at the same time understanding how these evolved in response to one of the dramatic periods of social, architectural, and technological change.

In the latter years , Charles worked in partnership with his son Noel (1881-1971) who would continue to design many of Berkhamsted's C20th buildings. We will pick up too on his involvement and compare his contribution to the streetscapes of Berkhamsted with that of his father.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

10.30am, 2.00pm

Location & directions

All Saints Church, Shrublands Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3HY

Directions:

All Saints Church is on the corner of Cross Oak Road and Shrublands Road It is a residential area with limited road parking It is about a 15 minute walk from the town centre where there is parking behind Woods Garden Centre and a muti storey car park down Lower Kings Road. The tour finishes near the town centre and therefore near the available parking.

Contact on day:

Sandra Jenkins

Telephone number:

+447942321901

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Booking link for 10.30 tour - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/berkhamsteds-finest-architect-charles-henry-rew-tickets-1344520209139 Booking link for 14.00 tour - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/berkhamsteds-finest-architect-charles-henry-rew-tickets-1344516899239

Booking website:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk

Booking opens:

18 Aug 2025 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

12 Sep 2025 05:00 PM

Accessibility details

The tour will be pavement walking (quite a distance) with some difficult hills for wheelchair uses. Stout walking shoes are recommended. Walk is not suitable for children. Limited parking is available around All Saints Church. Otherwise payment parking is available behind Woods Garden Centre or the multi storey car park down Lower Kings Road.

Additional information

There are no public facilities available on this walk. The nearest facilities are in the town centre.

Max no of people per tour:

20

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s)

Check out our online channels

Back to results