Heritage

Welwyn Hatfield is a vibrant mix of heritage, culture and regeneration located in central Hertfordshire, just off the A1(M) motorway and only 25 minutes by train from Central London. It boasts a wealth of historic sites, innovative post-war new towns, picturesque villages and rolling countryside.

Welwyn Garden City

Founded in 1920 by Sir Ebenezer Howard, Welwyn Garden City is the world’s second garden city, blending urban living with nature. 

Designed by Louis de Soissons, the city centre is characterised by numerous boulevards and open spaces lying between civic, commercial and residential buildings. The centrepiece is the scenic Parkway, consisting of two carriageways around a mile long separated by green space lined with trees and hedges. At its heart is a fountain commemorating the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, while Howardsgate, another boulevard, features a bronze statue of Sir Ebenezer that was created to mark the city’s centenary.

Inspired by Georgian architecture, early homes were limited to 12 per acre. The industrial zone, at the city's edge, attracted high-profile employers, including the iconic Nabisco Shredded Wheat factory, a Grade II-listed landmark opened in 1926.

Hatfield

Hatfield dates back to Anglo-Saxon times and has long associations with the Church and British aristocracy. 

Old Hatfield features historic landmarks like Hatfield House, built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, showcasing Jacobean craftsmanship. Part of the Tudor Royal Palace, once home to Elizabeth I, still stands. Nearby, St Ethelreda’s Church, dating to the 13th century, houses the Salisbury Chapel, the Cecil family’s burial place, including the ornate tomb of the first Earl of Salisbury. 

The grade II-listed Eight Bells pub, dating to the 16th century, is said to have hosted Charles Dickens and it is widely accepted that the Hatfield pub mentioned in Oliver Twist is The Eight Bells.

Hatfield’s modern centre emerged post-WWII with modernist architecture. The University of Hertfordshire, on the town's western edge, is famous for its industry links, attracting international students in business, engineering, and computer science. This blend of historic and modern makes Hatfield a town of cultural and architectural significance.