Pictures of Hatfield

in the county of Hertfordshire

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About Hatfield

Hatfield is a town with two histories. There is the history of the ancient market town whose roots are firmly embedded in Saxon times, and the modern-day history of a town that grew to meet the demands of the housing population. This latter day history owes much to the development of the De Havilland Aircraft Company, founded as a family business by Sir Geoffrey de Havilland in the 1920's when Sir Geoffrey was a young aircraft designer.

Following the founding of the business, an Aerodrome park was developed in Hatfield and it was here during the second world war that the famous Mosquito aircraft was constructed. The De Havilland company were also responsible for the development of the Comet and the Trident jet passenger planes. The De Havilland company contributed greatly to the life of Hatfield and when the adjacent area was designated for a 'new town' this company had a major role in the town's development. This great aircraft industry ensured the town's prosperity for many years until, as British Aerospace, the site sadly closed in 1993. A period of gloom was created by the loss of the industry but confidence has since been restored by the development of new business and science parks and the growth of the University.

Romantic as aviation may be to some, it is the romance of the past that appeals to others.

The royal palace of Hatfield dates 1497 and it was here that Queen Elizabeth I spent her childhood until she ascended to the throne in the year 1558. Elizabeth is said to have spent a happy childhood here and one can well imagine the young Princess with her beautiful bright red hair strolling in the great park that surrounded the house in the company of friends and colourful courtiers. There is a great Oak tree in the park, it is referred to as Elizabeth's Oak and said to be the spot where Elizabeth I received news of her accession.

When James I became King, he eventually dealt the property to Sir Robert Cecil in exchange for Thebolds Park. The construction of the new Hatfield House took place during the years 1607-1611. It is a magnificent house. It has, within it's richly carved and decorated great hall, a unique collection of paintings. The great hall of the old palace still remains in the grounds of Hatfield House and is used today as a Banqueting Hall.

The old town of Hatfield is full of attractive old buildings. There is a row of gracious Georgian properties stepped up Fore Street, and both Park Street and Church Street have buildings of architectual interest. The town offers excellent facilities with a good mix of shops. You will find quaint antique shops and those stores which are now household names. There are several interesting inns and restaurants and three superb golf clubs are all within easy reach of the town. Other local attractions are; the Mosquito Aircraft Museum, a nearby Wildfowl trust and Paradise Park at Brickendon.
HATFIELD Information submitted by: Terri Walton

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Hatfield

Hatfield House	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)	Pictures
Brocket Hall	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Great Wood Country Park	(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
St Albans Cathedral and Abbey Church	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Verulamium Park St Albans	(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction W)	Pictures
Redbournbury Mill	(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction W)	Pictures
Paradise Wildlife Park	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Rothamsted Park	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Knebworth House	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Aldenham Reservoir Country Park	(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Fairlands Valley Park	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Benington Lordship	(10.2 miles, 16.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Lee Valley Park	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Waltham Abbey Church	(11.0 miles, 17.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
R.A.F. Museum, Hendon	(11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction S)	Pictures

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Recommended towns near Hatfield

Welwyn Garden City, in the county of Hertfordshire (2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction N)
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Wheathampstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NW)
An abiding feature of Wheathampstead is it beautiful 14th-century church dedicated to Saint Helen.
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St Albans, in the county of Hertfordshire (5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction W)
One of the most pleasant parts of St.Albans is quaint Fishpond Street. The street derives it's name from a fishpond which lay nearby in medieval times where the monks used to fish.
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Shenley, in the county of Hertfordshire (5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction S)
Shenley is a small village in Hertfordshire, it is equidistance of around 5 miles from both Watford and St. Albans.
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Broxbourne, in the county of Hertfordshire (8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction E)
This is an attractive place lying close to the eastern border of the county between the River Lee and the Lee Navigation system, with Hoddesdon being the closest town.
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Hoddesdon, in the county of Hertfordshire (8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction E)
Hoddesdon is an ancient market town located in a spacious area of Hertfordshire close to its boundary with Essex.
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Hemel Hempstead, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction W)
Set in a delightful valley of the Chilterns, formed by the River Gade, the town is noted for its variety of old buildings which include the Norman church dedicated to St.Mary.
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Stevenage, in the county of Hertfordshire (9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction N)
Its history began in Roman times when it grew as a small town beside the Great North Road and its heritage from those times is evidenced by the Six Hills, a 2,000 year old Roman burial site.
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Ardeley, a Picturesque Village in the county of Hertfordshire (12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction NE)
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Hitchin, a Historic Market Town in the county of Hertfordshire (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction N)
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Rickmansworth, in the county of Hertfordshire (13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction SW)
This is a lovely old town where three rivers meet, it has lakes and watermeadows, and during the 20th-century was known for...
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Much Hadham, in the county of Hertfordshire (14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction NE)
The village is quite large, with an attractive mixture of cottages and houses that are mostly fronted by pretty gardens.
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Berkhamsted, in the county of Hertfordshire (14.8 miles, 23.8 km, direction W)
With so much to see and experience this fascinating little town makes the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend away from it all.
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Epping, in the county of Essex (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction E)
Queen Elizabeth 1st was a frequent visitor to Epping. It was in 1575 on a visit to Thomas Heneage at Copped Hall that the Queen costituted him Clerk of the Market with his heirs forever, she also granted further market rights.
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Stamford Hill, in the county of Greater London (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction SE)
Stamford Hill lies in the north of the London Borough of Hackney. It is a popular residential area, and home to one of Europes' largest Orthodox Jewish communities.
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Nearby travel help

Hatfield Station	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
A1(M) Junction 4	(1.0 miles, 1.6 km)
A1(M) Junction 3	(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction SW)
Welham Green Station	(1.8 miles, 2.9 km, direction S)
London Luton Airport	(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction NW)
Hatfield to London	(18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction S)
London Stansted Airport	(21.6 miles, 34.7 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Hatfield

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Hatfield center
Beales Hotel	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Best Western Homestead Court Hotel Free Wi-Fi	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NE)
Ardmore House Hotel	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction W)
Quality Hotel St Albans	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction W)
The White Hart Hotel	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction N)
Mulberry Lodge Hertford	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction E)
Sopwell House Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction SW)
The Quality Hotel Welwyn	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction N)
Comfort Hotel St Albans-City Centre	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction W)
Days Inn Hotel London South Mimms (Potters Bar)	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction S)
All hotels in Hatfield