Hertfordshire
Stunning stately homes, wild days out, cultural escapes and magical memories - Hertfordshire (or Herts) is the perfect place for your next short break. Just 20 minutes from London by train but still far away from the stresses of the big city, our lush, green county is brimming with exciting things to do and some seriously great places to stay.
Explore famous sites such as St Albans Cathedral, Hatfield House, Knebworth House, or capture the magic of Harry Potter with a visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. And if you're looking for wild beasts, Roman ruins, sculpture gardens, year-round snow, traditional English villages, 5* luxury or boutique B&Bs, Hertfordshire is the place to be.
Hatfield House
Located just 20 miles north of London, Hatfield House is an estate with over 400 years of history. Built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, the 1st Earl of Salisbury, the site is home to a stunning Jacobean country house once adjoining Hatfield Palace, the famous site where Queen Elizabeth I learnt she would be queen.
The Rise and Fall of Hertford Castle Tour
This tour charts the rise of Hertford Castle from fortress to royal palace and its subsequent demise only to be remodelled as a gracious gentleman’s residence. The castle has a fascinating history and has been a fortress, royal palace, gaol and school to name just a few of its uses.
Radicals, Rebels and Dissenters Tour
This walk explores Hertford's rich history of religious dissent, radical politics and rowdy elections. This tradition stretches back to the Middle Ages and the Peasants Revolt. Hear about Oliver Cromwell and the less well-known revolt or mutiny of roundhead soldiers in the Civil War.