The Hertfordshire Travel Guide looks at Hertfordshire, one of the Home Counties and situated to the north of London. This affluent county is a favourite for commuters who work in London due to its close proximity and good transport links to the capital. The county is known for its parks and green spaces making it an attractive proposition and sought after area to live.
ADVERTISEMENTHertfordshire GuideOverview and AttractionsHertfordshire HotelsHertfordshire MapHertfordshire WeatherAirfare DealsOverview and AttractionsHistorically the Herts towns of Welwyn, St Albans, Hertford and Stevenage were among the main towns known as the Roman city of Verulamium, at the time it was the second largest town in Roman Britain. The major attractions in the county include St Albans Cathedral, Hertford House, Berkhamsted Castle and Shaw’s Corner among others. Knebworth, has been home to the Lytton family for over 500 years. The house is located in over 250 acres of gardens and parkland. Knebworth has been used as the backdrop for films over the years, such as Batman and Jane Eyre.
Hertfordshire is a county that can boast several excellent gardens. These include St. Paul’s Walden Bury, Benington Lordship Garden (a hilltop garden), and The Gardens of the Rose located close to St. Albans, where visitors will find one of the best collections of roses anywhere in the world.
Letchworth is in a rural scenic area and lays claim to being the country’s first garden city. The First Garden City Heritage Museum and the Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery both showcase the areas history back to Roman times. The town of Hertford contains some beautiful architecture and a variety of specialist antique shops. The Saturday market, has many stalls all selling various goods, it’s a place where bargain hunters flock to in search of a bargain.
Hertford Castle offers visitors a place to relax and savour the peace and quiet of the castle gardens with the flowing river beside. It makes for a lovely afternoon trip. The Hertford Museum displays Hertford’s historic past and is a must for history fans, the town offers nice places to eat and offers places for all budgets.
Hertford CastleThe Roman city of St Albans is a short trip by rail or road to London this makes it ideal for a day trip for Londoners. It has much to offer all visitors, this historic and affluent market town is scenic and compact to travel around. St Albans has a wide choice of up market shops, boutiques, and restaurants and a choice of bars and pubs, there are also real-ale pubs and festivals in the town for drinks connoisseurs to enjoy. The town also has a Roman Theatre that is among the finest in the UK, and there are the remains of a Roman town house, shop, and shrine help to create a picture of life in Roman Britain for visitors. The famous cathedral is a great sight and one of its top attractions.
St. Albans Cathedral is the second largest in England after Winchester Cathedral. That church was rebuilt in the late 11th century using tiles from the Roman settlement of Verulam. Things to look out for include the wall paintings on the piers of the nave and the stone roodscreen. St. Albans actually became a cathedral in 1876. It has an imposing presence and it a big draw for tourists to the area. For further information please see:
St Albans CathedralHatfield House is the Hertfordshire home of the 7th Marquess of Salisbury. Hatfield House was built between 1607 and 1611 has been in the Cecil family since then. The Jacobean House boasts state rooms with many paintings, tapestries and furniture. The garden is extensive and are well looked after, the garden has been subject to many years of careful restoration that is now bearing fruit. The gardens get new features and plants meaning the gardens are changing to an extent. Located in the garden is the Great Hall, the surviving wing of the Royal Palace of Hatfield where Elizabeth I spent part of her earlier years. The Old Palace and the Riding School can be used for private events such as parties and weddings. For more information please see:
Hatfield HouseVerulamium Museum is located in 100 acres of parkland, the Verulamium Museum recreates one of the major cities in Roman Britain. Visitors can see the Roman rooms, experience the Discovery Areas and touch screen databases. The museum also has a fine collection of Roman mosaics and wall plasters. In the museum visitors can discover more about life in a major Roman city. There are faculties such as a tea shop, children’s play area and a lake with tennis and golf. It is a nice day out for the whole family. For further information please see:
Verulaimium MuseumShaw’s Corner was the house where famed dramatist and playwright George Bernard Shaw lived from 1906 until 1950. The rooms remain much as they were left by George Bernard Shaw had left them with literary items on display. The writing hut is located at the bottom of the garden, there are guided tours of the house available, with the tour lasting one hour and 30 minutes approximately. This lovely cottage home pays homage to the life and times of the great playwright. For more information please see:
Shaw’s CornerThe city trail in St Albans, allows visitors to discover and explore the best known attractions of St Albans, at you own pace. The walk usually takes approximately one and a half to two hours, of course you would need to add time looking in the attractions on offer here. Visitors can elect to participate in the guided tours, the tour guides lead the walks between Easter and October, and give more information on the medieval town, the roman Verulamium, coaching inns and a ghost walk. If interested in this the place to go is the Tourist and Information Centre, located in the Town Hall. For further information please see:
City TrailIf you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy a coffee with some food then Bar Espresso situated in St. Albans is worth looking at. This family run establishment prides itself on its friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant has developed a good reputation in a relatively short space of time.
Bar Espresso’s menu offers something for everybody, from meat and fish dishes to vegetarian options too. During the day time Bar Espresso is run as a Sandwich Bar offering a wide selection of sandwiches. For further information please see:
Bar EspressoFor those wanting to experience a hip, groovy bar atmosphere can try Bar 62 that is located in the heart of St Albans City and offers a relaxed seating and a laid back atmosphere where you can unwind and relax. The candles on the tables add to the relaxed feel, the bar offers good food and a wide selection of beers, fine wines and quality spirits. The venue can be hired for special occasions. For more information please see:
Bar 62Accommodation in Hertfordshire is available to suit the budgets of most visitors from those looking for cheap deals to those wanting a more luxurious stay. It is well worth doing your research to ensure your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and offers the amenities to meet your requirements.
There are a range of hotels available in Hertfordshire to choose from, for further information please see:Selection of Hertfordshire HotelsThe Hertfordshire Travel Guide has shown the top attractions visitors may wish to visit when exploring Hertfordshire. This county has some lovely scenery and rolling countryside, it makes for a rural feel and relaxed atmosphere when still in close proximity to London. The good road and rail links mean it is only a short journey from London and with several motorways going to the area, it is easily assessable. The county offers a relaxing place to visit and enjoy at your own pace, there is plenty of history and attractions with historical significance in the area making it a particular favourite with those with a fondness for history.
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