Historic House and Castles

At a Glance

• Location: 3.1 Miles North East
• Admission (2020): Gardens & Park - Adults £11, Child £5.50
• Open: All Year
• More Information: Visit Website

For the rest of 2020 it has been announced that the House itself will remain closed, but the Park and Old Palace is open most days, pre-booking required

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a majestic Jacobean country house set in an enormous park with 42 acres of landscaped gardens to explore. The house was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, the first Earl of Salisbury. There is a lot to see in the House, highlights include the 'Rainbow Portrait' of Elizabeth I, the Chapel, Armoury and the Victorian Kitchen - restored to 1846 when Queen Victoria first visited. The House might look familiar as it frequently appears in feature films, including The Favourite, Sherlock Holmes and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

At a Glance

• Location: 13 Miles North
• Admission (2020): House & Gardens Adults £14, Children £13.50 
• Open: May to September
• More Information: Visit Website

Knebworth House

This is a spectacular Tudor stately home and gardens with turrets, domes and gargoyles. Inside the House the Victorian decoration is rich and opulent  with traces of the original Tudor house beneath. This was the home of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton - he wrote 'the pen is mightier than the sword', which, seeing as people still refer to it, proves he had a point.

Every generation of the Lytton family have left their mark on the house, making this a very interesting and diverse visit. There are guided tours on weekdays, lasting about an hour, or self guided tours at the weekends. 

At a Glance

• Location: 5.9 Miles North West
• Admission (2020): Free (Donations encouraged)
• Open: All Year
• More Information: Visit Website

Saint Albans Cathedral

St Albans Cathedral, officially the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban but often referred to locally as "the Abbey", is an impressive building much of which dates from the Norman period although there has been a shrine and monastery on the site since 793. After 1066 the abbey was rebuilt, including the tower which still stands today. It was closed in 1539 and fell into disrepair until the late 1800's when it was restored to its current splendour.

At a Glance

• Location: 20 Miles South
• Admission (2020): State Rooms £26.50 Adult, £14.50 Child, Gallery £13.50 Adult, £6.70 Child
• Open: July - October
• More Information: Visit Website

The State Rooms are currently closed, but the Royal Mews and Queen's Gallery remain open.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is recognised around the world as the home of The Queen and focus of national and royal celebrations and important moments in our history. You can enjoy the spectacle of the changing of the guard, and visit some of the famous state rooms including the Throne Room, Ballroom and Garden. You can add on to your visit with a ticket to also visit the Queen's Picture Gallery and the Royal Mews to see the State carriages.

Trains from Hatfield take just 25 minutes to London King Cross and the off peak day return, including tube and bus travel, is £20.70 per Adult (2020). Hatfield Station is just 2 miles from the hotel.

At a Glance

• Location: 22 Miles South
• Admission (2020): £25 Adult, £12.50 Child
• Open: All Year
• More Information: Visit Website

The Tower of London

Explore London's iconic Castle and World Heritage Site - you can get up close to the glittering Crown Jewels, meet the legendary Yeoman Warders (just don't let them hear you call them Beefeaters!), and see the famous Ravens which still rule the roost.

You can also visit the Bloody Tower and hear tell of a thousand years of gruesome history and tour the White Tower, a Norman Castle that stands inside the Castle Walls, where there are displays of Arms and Armour from over the ages.

There really is a lot to see, so allow for a full days visit!

Trains from Hatfield take just 25 minutes to London King Cross and the off peak day return, including tube and bus travel, is £20.70 per Adult (2020). Hatfield Station is just 2 miles from the hotel.