Barkway flourished - it was granted a market and so became an important trading point and a place for social gatherings.  Despite being ravaged by major fires in the 15th & 18th Centuries, it became one of the major stopping points on the coaching route from London to the north-east.  The inhabitants became wealthy and complacent and were unconcerned about the gradual decline of the coach trade in the mid 1800’s. 

A railway was proposed with a station between Barkway and Reed – the engineer was Robert Stephenson.  However it failed to materialize and Barkway became a backwater.  By the turn of the 20th century, Barkway was like so many other Hertfordshire villages – away from the main roads and therefore away from the attention of the County authorities.  Slipping further and further into a decline, the population slumped as the people sought their fortunes in Royston and sometimes, London.  The Second World War brought a resurgence of importance with the building of the airfield at nearby Nuthampstead but when peace came, the decline returned with renewed vigour. All of this suggests a village in decline – but nothing could be further from the truth.