Howgills

Howgills is a Quaker meeting house in Letchworth Garden City with a wood-paneled central gathering room that includes a gallery level for additional seating. The building features stone-framed windows with leaded lights and tall brick chimneys that define its distinctive profile.

The building was designed in 1907 by architects Robert Bennett and Benjamin Wilson Bidwell, commissioned by Juliet Reckitt who donated it to the Quakers in 1913. This addition helped establish a spiritual center within the newly developing garden city.

The meeting space reflects Quaker values through its plain design and emphasis on shared silence rather than formal ritual. Visitors who attend gatherings experience a form of worship centered on inner reflection and community participation.

The building is located on South View and provides wheelchair access throughout the space along with accessible restrooms. A hearing loop system is available for those who need audio assistance during services or visits.

The carved timber inscriptions above the entrance hall and fireplace were created by Eric Gill, a renowned artist whose early work appears in this space. These details connect the building to the craftsmanship and artistic movements of its era.