In the countryside around Welwyn Garden City, there were once several grand houses with equally impressive grounds and gardens.

Sadly, most have been lost to us and we only have echoes of their former glory in traces of buildings and the imprint that their gardens have left on the landscape.

And to mark this there will be a free lecture on Tuesday, February 10.

Anne Rowe is a landscape historian and author. She has spent many years unearthing the secret stories of these fascinating places and investigating what can still be seen today.

Her illustrated talk is titled ‘Lost Houses and Gardens around Welwyn Garden City’.

It starts at 8pm at the Focolare Centre off Parkway behind the Catholic Church.

The evening is being sponsored jointly by Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust, the Welwyn Garden City Society and the Welwyn Garden City Horticultural Society.

A spokesman for the organisers said: “The houses have names that may be familiar. Panshanger, Tewin Water, Cole Green, Woodhall and Digswell.

“Anne Rowe is a highly regarded landscape historian who will show us what these houses looked like in the past.

“This is a presentation not to be missed by anyone with an interest in our local past.”

No tickets are needed for this event. Entry is free and refreshments will be available from 7.30pm.

For any other information contact A. Ewington on 01707 376282.