Little Berkhamsted's origins however go back to a Roman-era travellers site which was on the present spot of the Grade II listed Five Horseshoes pub. The village is most notable for the Grade II* listed building Stratton's Tower an excellently preserved five-storey observatory built for John Stratton in 1789 a retired admiral who wished to see ships in the Thames but wished to do so privately as a non-conformist. Just five minutes walk from The Five Horseshoes is the Grade II* Little Berkhamsted House an 18th century house notable for its stately Greek Dorich porch.Just four miles from The Five Horseshoes lie the remains of historic Hertford Castle. The castle was first constructed around 911 and fortified with a motte and bailey in the following century. The castle has been a favourite of many royals in particular Edward III and Elizabeth I. Hertford Castle has also hosted the English Parliament who met here in 1563 when London was under the grip of the Bubonic plague. The town has also had famed residents like anthropologist Alfred Russel Wallace and Jane Wenham whose controversial conviction altered the issue of witchcraft in England.An attractive historic pub with pleasant vistas of the Hertfordshire countryside The Five Horseshoes is an ideal location to pause for great pub food relaxing Sunday lunches fine wines and refreshing cask ales.Show full description