Butchers, Bakers & Undertakers is a community based project set up by the Abbots Langley Local History Society to research, record and remember the shops and other properties in Abbots Langley High Street.

A small group of members from the Society are engaged in researching the history of each and every building in the High Street. It is believed that the first shop in the village existed from Elizabethan times and was close to St Lawrence church. Gradually shops spread along the road to become the High Street as we know it today, over time changing trade and proprietor. Amongst other things the project aims to identify and record these changes and present their findings to record the history of Abbots Langley High Street.

In April 2025 the project team presented a lecture focusing on twelve premises in the High Street. A recording is available on the Society’s YouTube channel.

They have also produced a booklet in the form of a Directory listing the commercial premises in the High Street, the proprietors, the trades, and the dates of occupation. The Directory is a live document reflecting contemporary changes in ownership and historical details as they come to light.

A major part of the project involves gathering the reminiscences and anecdotes of the local community in remembering former shops and shop-keepers. If you can contribute, or have photographs or other information please get in touch with the project either by email at shops@allhs.org.uk or by visiting the Abbots Langley Local History Society displays at the Abbots Langley Carnival, Autumn Fest or at the Society’s Archive Day during the Abbots Langley Festival.

Please continue to visit this site in the future where project updates and more about the butchers, bakers and undertakers of the village and many more of the trades, personalities and shops will be added as the research continues.

We look forward to hearing from you.