Tonwell

Tonwell is a small village in Bengeo Rural parish, Hertfordshire.

The village is situated just off the A602 (formerly B1001), having been bypassed in 1987 - making the A10 and therefore London and Cambridge easily accessible by road.

Tonwell has a population of about 300 persons, and the demographic is similar to that of Hertfordshire itself, with a number of family properties as well as those more suited to elderly people. Surrounding the village is Paynes Hall (south of the village by half a mile, where the A602 crosses the River Rib); the Bengeo Temple farm, and the Parkland at Sacombe (listed by Hertfordshire County Council as a rare and significant example of Victorian parkland). it also has close ties to the neighbouring village of Chapmore End, with many local people making the short trip across the fields to the Woodman pub, renowned for it's quality ales and traditional pub feel. The two villages also hold combined events such as the village fete.

Village amenties include a school, village hall, and the Robin Hood pub.

The village shop and Post Office was closed down by the owners in the 1980s and converted into a restaurant room for the pub, meaning the people of the village now have to drive to Hertford or Ware to get essential food products or use Post Office services.

The skyline of the village is dominated by the futuristic 1960s concrete water tower, which although is architectually loved and loathed by people in equal measures, undeniably makes the village stand out from others surrounding it because it is so unusual.