Oliver Twist and all that, part 1

Oliver Twist is an orphan who coming to London becomes ensnared in the clutches of Fagin and his gang of child pickpockets. He has various adventures and scares until he lives happily ever after. Two other main characters are the thief Bill Sykes and his girlfriend Nancy. Towards the end of the book, believing Nancy has betrayed him, Bill kills her and flees London. After wandering around Hampstead Heath for some time, acompanied by his dog, Bullseye, "at last he got away, and shaped his course for Hatfield."


Hatfield is some 20 miles from London, and is reached by the Great North Road. The first picture shows the road passing in front of Hatfield House, featured in the second picture. This is because the road used in fact to run through the estate. A section by-passing it was opened in 1850.


The final section of the road as it came into the village of Hatfield. The map leads you from the trees into the town, showing the old route and coming down into Fore Street, the location of many shops and businesses.