Hatfield House: A Tudor Palace Hidden in Hertfordshire – Is It Worth Visiting?

Last Updated on 23rd September 2026 by Sophie Nadeau

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Hatfield is a small town in Hertfordshire that couldn’t be easier to reach from London, making it the perfect excursion from the capital. The town’s greatest claim to fame is Hatfield House, an estate where Elizabeth I spent part of her childhood and the regal ambiance of the place can still be found in the illustrious mansion that lies in the fringes of the village.

What to see at Hatfield House

As with many such historic estates, there are a number of elements to explore when it comes to the historic house and its surrounding grounds. Here are some of my favourite highlights:

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a fine example of Jacobean architecture and was constructed in 1611 by Robert Cecil, who was the first earl of Salisbury and acted as chief Minister to King James I.

Photography is permitted within the house while videography isn’t. Some of the top rooms to enjoy in the house include:

• The Marble Hall: this room features spectacular Jacobean oak carvings, a black-and-white marble floor and the famous Rainbow Portrait of Elizabeth I.
• The Grand Staircase: this richly carved Jacobean staircase is decorated with family portraits and intricate woodwork.
• The King James Drawing Room: picture ornate interiors, tapestries and Elizabeth I’s Ermine Portrait, with a life-size statue of James I above the fireplace.
• The Long Gallery: this is an enormous 170-foot gallery with a gilded ceiling, Renaissance treasures and objects traditionally associated with Elizabeth I. It’s the most eye-catching room and was easily my favourite.
• The Library: this is a richly decorated room filled with historic books, portraits and Cecil family treasures.
• The Chapel: the small ecclesiastical space is notable for its early 17th-century stained glass and historic interior, and for surviving the 1835 fire.
• The Armoury: a must for anyone with an interest in military history, this is an atmospheric historic room displaying armour and other military objects, including pieces associated with the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
• The Winter Dining Room: this room offers a glimpse into how the Cecil family adapted the house for colder months, with a separate dining room used during winter.

Hatfield House grounds and gardens

Unfortunately we weren’t able to see all of the gardens as a large part of the space is closed when the house itself is open. With this being said, I probably wouldn’t visit the house unless it’s a beautiful day as the real appeal of Hatfield House lies in its gardens and surrounding estate.

Indeed, the gardens are so beautiful that they’ve been used as many a filming location over the years.

For example, the grounds were actually used in the Bridgerton scene where Daphne and Simon kiss for the first time. It’s an evening scene but you’ll probably recognise the tree paths and water feature from the series. 

The Jacobean designed garden itself was completed around the same time as the house and was designed by Thomas Chaundler, Salomon de Caus and John Tradescant.

Borders, and water features have been changed out numerous times over the centuries, but the space likely still resembles what the 17th-century iteration of the garden might have looked like. The part of the garden which is open when the house is open boasts topiary, a sundial, terraced lawns, and planted flower borders. 

Old Palace Hatfield House

The old palace is located within the formal gardens and dates all the way back to the 15th-century. Constructed at the behest of the Bishop of Ely, this is the place where Elizabeth I spent a significant portion of her childhood.

Henry VIII, Elizabeth I’s father owned the building of what is now known as the Old Palace and Elizabeth I was sent to live here when she was just three months old. 

In order to see the interior of the old palace, you’ll have to pay an extra fee of over five pounds. This building is frequently used for events, included as a wedding venue, and so might be closed on the day you visit the house.

In order to check if you’re able to experience the Old Palace during your visit, you’ll have to check on the official website within a few weeks of your expected visit.

We were a bit short on time and so opted to skip out on it as we wanted to see other parts of the grounds which were included in our ticket price.

Wider Hatfield estate

As well as formal gardens, there is a larger estate to explore which comprises of open fields and wooded areas. One of the more unique gems on the Hatfield estate is the site of the oak tree where Elizabeth I is alleged to have found out that she was going to become queen.

As this was many centuries ago, the original oak tree has since died. A new oak tree was planted on site and has a small plaque underneath, denoting the alleged place that was so significant to the young princess.

Food and drink at Hatfield

If you would prefer to bring your own snacks then picnics are permitted within the park but not in the formal gardens. Alternatively, one part of the estate which is entirely free to visit and is open to members of the public is the Stable Yard.

The former coach house has been transformed into a café, restaurant, and collection of shops which is just outside of the estate. Therefore you can access it without a ticket but this is also the only option to get food and drink close to Hatfield House and estate.

We weren’t too hungry and so simply opted for a few sides like halloumi fries and a green salad. Afterwards, we perused the shops in the courtyard which included a wine cellar and ice cream shop. 

Practical information for visiting Hatfield House

Hatfield doesn’t have a great deal by way of tourist attractions and so its main draw is Hatfield House itself. If you are looking for day trips from London where the focus is more on the village, then I would personally skip Hatfield and instead opt to go somewhere like Rye.

Rather fortuitously, while Hatfield town centre is around a 15 to 20 minute walk from the station, the main entrance to Hatfield House and estate is just across from the train station, making this is a historic house that’s easier to visit than somewhere like Hever Castle.

The ticket kiosks only accept contactless and card payments as cash is no longer accepted. Unfortunately Hatfield is a private residence and therefore is not part of the National Trust, English Heritage or Historic Houses.

Getting to Hatfield House & Village

There are direct trains throughout the day from King’s Cross to Hatfield and the journey time is under half an hour. Once at Hatfield Station you merely need to get off the train and walk over the road to reach the historic house.

Is Hatfield House actually worth visiting?

The estate is made up of the gardens, woodland, house, and old palace, and the entirety of the operation has some pretty erratic opening times. I think that this is the first time I have come across such a setup but it’s impossible to enjoy the entirety of the gardens and the house on the same day.

This is a bit of a shame but, essentially, the estate is open from Wednesday through to Sunday. However, the house is closed on Wednesdays and only the gardens are open.

Meanwhile, while the house is open, the entirety of the gardens aren’t open. The old Palace doesn’t have any specific opening times as it also operates as a wedding venue and so is only open when it’s not being rented out for events.

As a result, if you’re someone who enjoys experiencing a historic house at its very best; i.e. when you can peruse the gardens and meander throughout the house, I don’t think Hatfield House would be the best day trip for you.

With that being said, the royal connection is pretty interesting and the house itself has some lovely rooms to explore but for £27 per adult, I think there are places which offer much better value for money.