Heritage

Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a Grade I listed country house set in a large park, on the eastern side of the town of Hatfield. Built between 1607 and 1611 by Robert Cecil, it showcases stunning art, antique furnishings, and historic armour, representing over 400 years of Cecil family heritage. It’s the current home of the 7th Marquess of Salisbury.

In the West Garden, visit the Royal Palace of Hatfield (c. 1485), where Elizabeth I spent her childhood. An oak tree in the park marks the spot where she learned of her ascension to the throne.

The 17th-century gardens, designed with John Tradescant the Elder's expertise, feature a scented garden, herb garden, and knot garden, surrounded by expansive parkland.

Shaw's Corner

Located in the village of Ayot St Lawrence, Shaw’s Corner is the former home of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated playwrights, George Bernard Shaw. The Edwardian country house remains much as it was when he lived there from 1906 until his death in 1950, with Arts and Crafts-inspired interiors and tranquil gardens. Visitors can also see the revolving writing hut at the bottom of the garden where Shaw wrote many of his most famous works.

The Brocket Arms

The Brocket Arms is a historic country inn that retains many traditional features, including low ceilings, oak beams and inglenook fireplaces. According to some accounts, the inn dates back to the 14th century when it served as the monastic quarters for the old Norman church. Legend has it that it is haunted by the amiable ghost of a priest who was tried and hanged in the building. It offers guest accommodation, good quality food and a wide range of real ales and wines

The Digswell Viaduct

Designed by Sir William Cubbit, The Digswell Viaduct is a local landmark between Welwyn Garden City and Digswell carrying the East Coast Mainline over the River Mimram. Made from 13 million bricks and boasting an impressive 40 arches, it is around 475m long and 30m high, which made it the longest and tallest viaduct on the Great Northern Railway’s route.

Danesbury Fernery

Built in 1859-60 in an old chalk pit by the then-owner of Danesbury House, Danesbury Fernery, in the village of Welwyn, was described as ‘the best fernery to be found in the Home Counties’ in an 1881 RHS journal. The fernery incorporated a grotto, a dropping well, a pass, and a rustic bridge over a gorge. Now part of a nature reserve, it has recently been lovingly restored and replanted by local volunteers.

Ayot Park

Ayot Park is an 18th century landscape park surrounding a country house and pleasure grounds. It contains the grade II* listed Ayot House along with an earlier manor house and a walled kitchen garden, which are also listed.