Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Hatfield

Hatfield is an old market town in Hertfordshire, on the old Great North Road and 18 miles from London, with some delightful old buildings. Added to it from 1948 is a New Town.

Hatfield House is one of the most impressive of England`s stately homes. The house today is Jacobean, and was built for Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, between 1608 and 1612.

In the grounds of Hatfield House is The Old Palace, built entirely of brick in the late 15th century. Elizabeth`s Oak is where Elizabeth I received news of her accession in 1558. She had spent many years at the Palace, virtually imprisoned, as earlier had her half sister Mary I.

St. Etheldreda`s Church dates from the 13th century, and has some interesting monuments. The iron gates to the churchyard came from St. Pauls Cathedral.

The Eight Bells Inn is 17th century. Bill Sykes visits this inn in Charles Dickens` "Oliver Twist".

In the New Town is the big Galleria shopping centre.

Martin Carthy, folk musician, was born at Hatfield.

The aircraft manufacturer de Havilland opened a factory in Hatfield in 1934.

Road signs in North London used to heavily feature "Hatfield and the North", and this became the name of a rock band in the 1970s.

Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Hatfield for groups.