Lady’s Guide to a Day Trip to Hatfield House from London

Today I want to bring you my guide to taking a day trip to Hatfield House from London. This Jacobean stately home in Hertfordshire is an easy train ride from the UK capital. It has everything from Queen Elizabeth I connections to stunning gardens and opulent interiors. I’m here now and I can’t wait to show you what I find. I’ve included a map as well.

Day Trip to Hatfield House

Day Trip to Hatfield House

Hatfield House is located just 21 miles (34 kilometers) north of London. Nestled in the countryside by the town of Hatfield, it was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I. It’s a prime example of Jacobean architecture, and it’s Grade I listed.

Cecil built Hatfiled House on the site of the Royal Palace of Hatfield, part of which is still standing. The Old Palace (as it’s now called) was built in 1497 by King Henry VII’s minister, John Morton. It was subsequently Queen Elizabeth I’s childhood home.

Today Hatfield House, the palace, and the grounds and gardens are open to the public for visits. It’s one of the most famous stately homes near London, and people come from all over the world to see it and learn about the history here.

The Old Palace, HatfieldThe Old Palace, Hatfield

How to Get to Hatfield House from London

If you’re wondering how to get to Hatfield House from London, you can easily reach it by train. Hatfield station is so close to the UK capital you can even make your visit a half-day trip from London if you want to.

Hatfield is a 25-minute train ride from London’s King’s Cross station, and services run direct. Make sure to book tickets in advance to get the best prices, and check timetables so you can catch a fast service.

Once you reach Hatfield station, the entrance to Hatfield House is directly across the street. You can walk up to the gate, from where it’s a few minutes’ stroll to get to the house and gardens.

Hatfield HouseHatfield House

Tickets

You can buy tickets for Hatfield House online or on site. If The Old Palace is open (it often isn’t), you can buy tickets for that part of the visit when you arrive.

Hatfield House Tour

After showing my pre-booked entry ticket, I walk across a bridge and up to the Stable Yard to start my self-guided tour of Hatfield House.

I’ve arrived before the home itself opens, so I take advantage of my free time to have breakfast at the Coach House Kitchen. This cafe and restaurant has an array of light menu options as well as indoor and outdoor seating.

Hatfiled House Stable YardHatfiled House Stable Yard

Stable Yard

Appetite sated, I look around the Stable Yard. There’s a collection of shops here that’s ripe for browsing, and an ice cream place that’s popular with families.

Hatfield House

When the house opens, I walk over and take in the imposing facade with Angela Conner’s monumental water sculpture, Renaissance, in front. It’s an impressive building, and I can’t wait to see what’s inside.

Marble Hall, Hatfield HouseMarble Hall, Hatfield House

As soon as I step across the threshold, I know I’m in for a treat. The Marble Hall features everything from extravagant oak carvings by John Bucke to historic paintings by Giulio Taldini and embroidered banners.

But the real treat is the Rainbow Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. This famous work of art depicts the monarch as a bringer of peace after a period of storm.

Queen Elizabeth I Rainbow PortraitQueen Elizabeth I Rainbow Portrait

Elsewhere in Hatfield House I discover the King James Drawing Room, which has a life-size statue of James I above the mantelpiece. Then comes the Long Gallery, which runs the entire length of the South Front. The ceiling is covered in gold leaf.

Soon I reach the Library, which features a remarkable mosaic portrait of Robert Cecil dating to 1608. I then come to the chapel, which miraculously survived a fire in 1835. It has original portraits by Rowland Bucket and a stained-glass window from 1610.

When I reach the Armoury, I recognize its stunning marble floor and paneling immediately. This room was used as a filming location for the movie Enola Holmes, where it stood in for Basilwether Hall.

Armoury, Hatfield HouseArmoury, Hatfield House

Before leaving, I tour the kitchens. They feature an original fireplace and several small rooms that were used for pastry and other things.

Gardens

Exiting the house, I begin my exploration of the West Gardens. There are a number of green spaces here, from manicured ones to wild numbers.

The Old Palace Garden is right next to the house and in front of the surviving part of the Tudor palace. This stunning sunken green space features an intricate design bordered by box hedges.

The Old Palace Garden, HatfieldThe Old Palace Garden, Hatfield

Above it is a stone frieze of Queen Elizabeth I. It was taken from the facade of the Royal Exchange in London following a fire and brought to Hatfield House in 1855.

On the other side are Lady Gwendolen’s Garden and the Sundial Garden. They have everything from fountains to walkways. There are beautiful views of Hatfield House from them, too.

Leaving those, I continue my walk with a long stroll through the Woodland Garden. This wild place is full of paths bordered by everything from wildflowers to magnolias, 19th-century rhododendrons, and hydrangeas. There are sculptures dotted throughout, and it feels like a fairy tale.

Woodland Garden, Hatfield ParkWoodland Garden, Hatfield Park

Lunch

From the gardens I make my way back to the Stable Yard for lunch at the Coach House Kitchen. It’s buzzing, but I manage to find a table and enjoy a light bite before continuing my day trip with a walk through the grounds of the largest private estate in Hertfordshire.

Hatfield Park

A map I received upon entering has several routes for self-guided Woodland Walks. I choose the longest, a 90-minute trail, and set off into the trees.

Along the way I pass by everything from whimsical follies to medieval parkland and bridges spanning The Broadwater of the River Lee. There are historic vineyards, statues, pollarded trees, and gardens shaped like the Union Flag.

The Broadwater, Hatfield ParkThe Broadwater, Hatfield Park

There’s also the Elizabeth Oak. This famous tree marks the place where the young Princess Elizabeth is said to have first heard of her accession to the throne in 1558.

While not the original (it was badly deteriorated by the early 20th century and its remains were removed in 1978), it’s still nice to see the legendary site.

Parish Church of St Etheldreda’s

Back by the palace, I take in one final view of Hatfield House before making my way out the Fore Street Gate. I want to see the local church before taking the train back to London.

Parish Church of St EtheldredasParish Church of St Etheldredas

The parish church of St Etheldreda’s in Old Hatfield once served The Old Palace and the local village. Parts of it date back to the 13th century, and there’s evidence that there was a Saxon church on the site before then.

Inside I find the Salisbury Chapel and the opulent tomb of Robert Cecil. Two British Prime Ministers, Lord Melbourne and Lord Salisbury, are also buried here. There’s a knight in armor from around 1160, too.

After exploring the church, I walk through Old Hatfield and past 17th-century pubs like The Eight Bells to get to the train station. From there it’s an easy trip back to London.

The Eight Bells, HatfieldThe Eight Bells, Hatfield

How Much Time To Spend at Hatfield House

In all, I’ve spent 5.5 hours at the home and gardens. I could have stayed longer if I’d wanted to spend more time exploring the grounds, but I feel like I got to catch a glimpse of everything while visiting.

Given how beautiful the gardens are, I would love to come back again and again to see what’s in bloom in other seasons. It’s a good thing it’s so close to London it won’t be difficult to return. I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit, too.

Hatfield Map

As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all the places I mentioned in this blog post. You can find it here. I hope it helps you plan your own trip to this stunning stately home.

Old Palace Garden, HatfieldOld Palace Garden, Hatfield

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.

Pin it!
Day Trip to Hatfield HouseDay Trip to Hatfield House

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *