Hatfield House
Hertfordshire
Al9 5NQ
Hertfordshire
Al9 5NQ
About Hatfield House
The garden at Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants for his new home. Tradescant was sent to Europe where he found and brought back trees, bulbs, plants and fruit trees, which had never previously been grown in England.
Visitors can enjoy the scented garden and fountains, and view the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. The West garden includes a scented garden and herb garden. Following the fashion for landscape gardening and some neglect in the 18th century, restoration of the garden started in earnest in Victorian times. Lady Gwendolen Cecil, younger daughter of Prime Minister Salisbury, designed the West Garden as it is today. The adjoining wilderness area is at its best in spring with masses of naturalised daffodils.
The garden at Hatfield House dates from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to collect plants for his new home. Tradescant was sent to Europe where he found and brought back trees, bulbs, plants and fruit trees, which had never previously been grown in England.
Visitors can enjoy the scented garden and fountains, and view the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood. The West garden includes a scented garden and herb garden. Following the fashion for landscape gardening and some neglect in the 18th century, restoration of the garden started in earnest in Victorian times. Lady Gwendolen Cecil, younger daughter of Prime Minister Salisbury, designed the West Garden as it is today. The adjoining wilderness area is at its best in spring with masses of naturalised daffodils.
The East Garden was laid out by the 5th Marquess of Salisbury. This part of the Garden has elegant parterres, topiary and rare plants are a delight for the gardening enthusiast and for those wishing to spend a quiet time in idyllic surroundings. Designed to be viewed from the first floor of the House, the East Garden is only open to the public on Thursdays during the visitor season.
Website: click to visit
Website: click to visit
Directions
Hatfield House
By Road
Hatfield House (and Estate Office) is 21 miles from Central London, 7 miles North of the M25 motorway (junction 23) and 2 miles East of the A1(M) (junction 4). Exit the A1(M) at junction 4 (after the Hatfield Tunnel if travelling from the South) and follow the brown leisure signs for Hatfield House via the A414 and A1000. The main entrance is opposite Hatfield railway station on the Great North Road (A1000).
By Rail
The main entrance to Hatfield Park is opposite Hatfield station with a 5 minute walk to the house. The fast train from Kings Cross to Hatfield takes 25 minutes. There are London Underground links with this mainline at Finsbury Park (Piccadilly and Victoria lines)