Hatfield in Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Eight Bells Historic Inn

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 2, 2026

1. The Eight Bells Historic Inn Marker

Inscription. The oldest pub in Hatfield, dating from the 17th century. An important staging post on the Great North Road. It was originally named The Five Bells, which changed when the number of bells at St. Etheldreda Church increased to eight between 1730 & 1756.

Charles Dickens visited Hatfield in 1835. In the book Oliver Twist, Dickens refers to "a small public house," which is undoubtedly The Eight Bells. The same small public house that Bill Sikes, the villain of the tale, calls in for a drink after the murder of his girlfriend Nancy.

It is widely believed that the famous highwayman Dick Turpin also frequented The Eight Bells. One tale suggests that he jumped out of a window in the pub and onto his horse Black Bess to escape from the Bow Street Runners, Britain's first police force.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 51° 45.749′ N, 0° 12.812′ W. Marker is in Hatfield, England, in Hertfordshire. It is at the intersection of The Broadway and Park Street, on the right on The Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or

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near this postal address: 1 The Broadway, Hatfield, England AL9 5AX, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historical Memorials (approx. 8.4 kilometers away); St Peter's Church (approx. 8.4 kilometers away); Betty Entwistle (approx. 8.6 kilometers away); The Verdun Tree (approx. 8.9 kilometers away); Holywell House (approx. 9 kilometers away); The Lost Abbey (approx. 9 kilometers away); Farriers Arms (approx. 9 kilometers away); An Ancient Story, An Ancient Building (approx. 9.1 kilometers away).

The Eight Bells Historic Inn and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 2, 2026

2. The Eight Bells Historic Inn and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.