Hatfield House, Park and Gardens - Hatfield

Josie M.

Spent the afternoon in Hatfield House Park and Gardens with the kids in the half term. The grounds are so beautiful. We took the truck ride that had a super guide named Dermot, who was very knowledgeable and was generally lovely. Stunning views of the river Lea from an old bridge. Looking forward to coming back to see the daffodils in full bloom, and a tour of the old palace.

Salvatore P.

Imagine stepping into a world of wonder and artistry at this incredible house. The breathtaking beauty of the place left me completely astonished. It's like taking a journey through time, surrounded by hundreds of invaluable paintings, exquisite furniture, and historical letters. You simply have to experience it for yourself to fully grasp its magnificence. The opulent gardens, adorned with a wide variety of delicate, vibrant flowers, add an extra layer of charm to the place. Each room is accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, perhaps a professor, who eagerly shares insights about every aspect of the house. It's truly remarkable to think that this house was constructed around 1600 and is still inhabited by the descendants of its original owners. Additionally, the free car park makes visiting this enchanting place even more convenient.
Many important films have been shot there, such as Batman and Sherlock Holmes.

Louise F.

Hatfield Park and Gardens are stunning. Well worth a visit. The grounds are beautiful with lots to see and very well maintained - I've never seen so much topiary! Do check their opening times and dates. The house wasn't open when we visited so I can't comment on the inside and the private gardens are only open at certain times. There is a lovely cafe and some little shops in the grounds and also a woodland walk on the estate.

Vishal S.

Absolutely fantastic place which has so much to do that 4 hours isn't near enough. My wife and I came to Hatfield house with our baby daughter for a relaxed day without any expectations, but were left amazed. The house is lovely but can be done in 45 minutes and is similar to other period houses but still lovely. The gardens however were the show piece! They were just fantastic and beautiful. We could spend hours here and didn't even get a chance to do the woodlands walk!
The restaurant was lovely, food was excellent, cafe was top notch, lovely shops, ice cream place!

We will definitely be going back and have recommended it to so many others!

Tânia T.

Beautiful day out! The highlights are the gardens for me because it was so peaceful, full of flowers and bees, and so well maintained. The house is also super well maintained and it's so beautiful and full of history. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable. There was a guide in each room and you could ask questions about the million objects and they will have an answer for it! I went on a day where there was a classic car display just outside the house and it was a nice addition to the visit.

Natalie E.

So this weekend I fell head over heels in love… with Hatfield!
It’s especially the perfect place if you are a Tudor history buff like myself.
The Old Palace was the childhood home of Elizabeth I and Mary I and Edward VI also lived here at points.
And there are so many momentous moments.
There is the spot (not the original oak tree) that Elizabeth positioned herself to be told she was now Queen.
And her first council was held in a room now used as a bar for weddings.
While the newer building features one of the most famous paintings of Elizabeth, The Rainbow Portrait.
It is the most gorgeous building and has stunning grounds too.
I also met the loveliest man called Dermot who volunteers as a guide.
He was so knowledgeable and if you come to Hatfield you have to book on his Old Palace Tour, which takes place every hour.
His knowledge and enthusiasm (and fabulous personality) is so special ❤️
My ticket was £24, for house and grounds, (the Old Palace Tour was £6 extra) and I spent a blissful five hours there ❤️👑❤️

Vadym P.

Lovely place for a one day weekend escape. Amazing old house built for Lords. A bit posh and ofc everything super old. But it is great to see how they lived.
I enjoyed the park . And the mulberry in their garden. That was something 😉

There is a promo from National Rail - two tickets per 50% price. Check it online

Katie

Quite a pricey visit and I'm not sure if worth the price. House lovely, with lots of history but relatively small part is public. The rest is private. Staff very nice and ready to answer all the questions. House doesn't have lift, so buggies have to be left (they can accommodate them in the gift shop, where the exit of the house tour is). The collection of paintings is impressive.
The big downside is that there's no toilets in the house. Toilets are only located outside, in stables. Parking is big and free.
Gardens are beautiful but not the best I've ever seen. There's option also to do the woodland walk. The Old palace is not open every day - better to check online. And entrance is paid separately, which makes the whole visit pretty expensive.
There's restaurant in stables, with ok food. High chairs and baby changing available.
Generally nice day out.