Hitchin's most iconic landmark is glowing once more after years of inconsistent lighting left much of St Mary's Church — and the riverside beside it — in darkness.

From the start of November, a brand-new floodlighting system has been installed in the old churchyard, thanks to a partnership between St Mary's and North Herts Council.

The previous lighting, installed more than 30 years ago, had deteriorated badly, resulting in patchy illumination and repeated failures.

Councillors agreed to fund an upgrade to modern, energy-efficient LED lights, with St Mary's continuing to cover some of the ongoing running costs. The nearby Churchyard Walk and pavement remain lit by Hertfordshire County Council under a separate system.

The new lighting casts a warmer, more sympathetic colour across the medieval building — a change already drawing praise from those who enjoy Hitchin's blossoming evening scene of restaurants, events and concerts. Keen local photographers will once again be able to capture the famous reflection of the East Window shimmering in the River Hiz.

Inside St Mary's, major improvement works are also reaching a key milestone. The team reports strong progress on long-awaited upgrades to internal facilities, including the installation of water and drainage for the first time in the church's 1,200-year history, as well as repairs to the north-side windows.

If all goes to plan, the internal scaffolding will be removed before Advent at the end of November — just in time for the arrival of the church's Christmas trees. Fundraising continues to support the final stages of the project, which is expected to conclude in early 2026.

St Mary's new floodlighting means Hitchin's most spectacular sight is once again illuminated — a welcome boost as the town continues to promote itself as a destination for visitors from across Hertfordshire, the South East and beyond.

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