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Places to Visit in Hatfield, Hertfordshire
Hatfield House
The House Office
Hatfield House,
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 5NQ
Tel: +44(0)1707 287010
Fax: +44(0)1707 287033
Email: click here
Website: click here
Hatfield House, the home of the 7th Marquess of Salisbury, is an exquisite Jacobean jewel set in beautiful formal gardens and Great Park.
The Gardens date from 1611 when Robert Cecil employed John Tradescant the Elder to plant them. Much of the 42 acres of garden have been restored and include scented gardens, herb gardens and knot garden. The adjoining wilderness areas are at their best in spring where visitors can enjoy the daffodils and wildflowers. The East garden’s 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.
Within the gardens stands the surviving wing of The Royal Palace of Hatfield where Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood and held her first Council of State in November 1558. It was here in the Park that the young Princess Elizabeth first heard of her accession to the throne. Visitors can enjoy the 1000 acres of park with bluebell walks in the woodland and park trails.
The Jacobean Hatfield House has a fine collection of pictures, tapestries, furnishings and historic armour.
Please check website www.hatfield-house.co.uk or phone 01707 287010 for details of special events.
With Disabled Access: Yes
Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Restaurant, Picnic Area, Children, Car Park, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available, Model Soldiers Exhibition.
Weddings and Conferences
WEDDINGS AND CORPORATE EVENTS IN HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE
Hatfield House, Park and Gardens is the perfect setting for your special day. You will be choosing a magnificent Grade I listed venue and we will offer you all the help and support you need to ensure a memorable occasion. The Hatfield House Hospitality team is highly experienced in the fine art of hospitality and will be available to help you plan the perfect day.
Civil Marriage Ceremonies
Hatfield Park is licensed for civil ceremonies to be held in the Old Palace Banqueting Hall and in the Riding School.
If you wish for the Marriage Ceremony to take place here, the Hatfield Registrar may be contacted on 01707 283920 to make the necessary arrangements.
Wedding Receptions
We can accommodate up to 300 for a Cocktail Party, 280 for a seated luncheon or dinner, or 200 for dinner with dancing. The rooms are flexible and can be arranged for a smaller number to feel comfortable.
We pride ourselves on offering a high standard of catering and a variety of menus to cater for a range of tastes. We use the best fresh local produce wherever possible, and offer a selection of good quality wines at competitive prices. Should you wish to provide your own wines, we would be happy to quote a price for corkage.
Our executive chef will be happy to design a menu for you, or you may like to choose from our suggested menus. Click here to down load Special Events Dining.
Additional Services
VICTORIA KITCHEN
Visit the new Victorian Kitchen restoration at Hatfield House.
The Kitchen at Hatfield House has recently been restored to show life in Victorian times. Interactive screens tell the story of the people who actually worked there and explain their everyday life.
The kitchen was at the centre of a network of basement rooms used to prepare meals for a Victorian household. It is north facing, to keep it cool and light is provided by large high windows, which at the same time restrict too much direct sunlight from entering the room. It contains a range, ovens and spit for cooking meals and plenty of work surfaces for the chef and kitchen maids to prepare the raw ingredients. It is set apart from the rest of the house, but close enough so that food didn’t get cold while it was being taken to the dining room. This kitchen was in use from when the house was built up until the 2nd World War.
One of the items that visitors can see is the 1m tall pestle and mortar used to grind spices. Spiced dishes, particularly curry, were extremely popular in Victoria’s reign. Curry is not a modern phenomenon in England. The earliest curry recipe in an English cookbook appeared in 1746. Spices were imported from India and Victorian recipes often used curry paste or powder and contained mutton, beef or rabbit, or even lobster on the grandest of occasions.
In the adjoining Still Room and Pastry Room visitors can see where the kitchen maids prepared the jellies and ices that were very popular in Victorian times. There is a fascinating collection of original moulds and other cooking implements. Jellies would certainly have formed part of the banquet served to Queen Victoria at Hatfield House on 23rd October 1846.
There is no additional charge for visiting the Victorian Kitchen, which forms part of the House tour priced at £11.50 for adults for House, Park and Garden entry. Plenty of free parking. For further information: www.hatfield-house.co.uk or call 01707 287010
Admission
House, Park & West Gardens: Adult £11.50, Seniors £10.50, Child £6.00. Park & West Garden: Adult £6.50, Child £4.50 Park only: Adult £3.00, Child £2.00. East Garden – Open Thursdays only, and closed August - additional charge. Garden - Open Thursdays only and closed August - additional charge.
* Prices may alter for major events
Opening Times
Easter Saturday - end September. House: 12.00 - 16.00, Wed – Sunday & BH Mons. Park, West Gardens, Restaurant & Shop: 11.00 - 17.30 Daily.
Directions
21 miles North of London - M25 Junction 23, 7 Miles A1(M) Junction 4, 2m. Signed off A414 & A1000. Opposite Hatfield railw
Further Information
MAJOR EVENTS
Living Crafts 6-9th May
Rose Weekend Garden Show 19/20th June
Country Show 20-22nd Aug
Art in Clay 6-8 Aug
Drive in Movies 3-5th Sept
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- Please check prices or opening times before booking as they may be subject to alteration
