HATFIELD HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Hatfield House
Hatfield House
4.5
Points of Interest & LandmarksGardens
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Park, Gardens & Woodland Walks are open each Wednesday to Sunday from 30th March 2024. The East Garden is only open on Wednesdays. Hatfield House itself reopens Thursday to Sunday from 23rd May 2024.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Jasmin Anisa A
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent experience and Value for money.
    Today my mother and I spent some time at Hatfield house. We had a tour of the Old Palace by a tour guide Dermot, who was absolutely amazing. The wealth of knowledge and detail he gave during the tour was incredible. He was friendly and made us all feel so welcome. As Hatfield house was closed, we will definitely be going back in the Summer so Dermot can give us a tour of Hatfield house. The gardens were breathtaking and with the sun coming out from behind the clouds, just made the trip all that more special. Absolutely value for money and will be sure to go back again soon.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 May 2023
  • Tricia J
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic Staff
    Hatfield House and Gardens are beautiful even in the pouring rain! My friend who uses a mobility scooter and I visited on Wednesday and were delighted with the kindness and support shown by the staff, namely Neil, Trish, Julie and Mary. We will be back!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 May 2023
  • Mobile34279033473
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Bee jeering experience
    Bee Keeping experience. This was a fantastic day and we were able to get up close yo the Bees. Barry, Terry and Georgine were so interesting and informative. I cant recommend this day enough. I will drfdo it again next year. It was great value for money suppling food and drink. If uou are interested in bees this is definitely a day for you.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 May 2023
  • Elmfro
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fab beekeeping experience
    We had a great day learning about all things beekeeping. Lunch and refreshments were provided along with a goodie bag. Barry, Terry and Georgina were organised, friendly and knowledgeable, making the whole interactive day excellent value for money. Thank you very much!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 May 2023
  • Emma T
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful tour guide, well kept gardens for the whole family to enjoy
    Beautiful day visiting the park and gardens with my family . The old palace tour was very worthwhile and learnt a great deal thanks to Dermot and his amazing knowledge. He is a great asset to Hatfield house. Would highly recommend the coach house cafe for coffee and cake aswel
    Visited May 2023
    Written 22 May 2023
  • shafir_ariel
    Tel Aviv, Israel33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A boost of beauty, oxygen, colors, composition and tranquility to your diet
    What a wonderful place ! Quiet ! Virgin ! A lot to see and walk - filling a full day. I recommend you start with one of the offered trails. We took the Red Way (7 km.). Select Hatfield Park ONLY in a sunny day and you get a paradise. Leave the 2nd part of your day for the western garden, the southern garden (if open) and the house. Full with harmony, beauty, history, posh splendor and very atmospheric. Back to paradise.
    Visited April 2023
    Written 25 May 2023
  • Macey G
    5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning!
    Hatfield house is absolutely beautiful and so well kept and fascinating. There are tour guides in every room and one in particular, Dermot, was extremely helpful and informative. Such a gorgeous piece of history, an absolute must visit.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 June 2023
  • Sophie D
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    AMAZING
    Where to start! The house and gardens are absolutely beautiful! I must mention that my new freind Dermot who spoke to us In king George's drawing room was so lovely, informative and absolutely gorgeous! I can't thank him enough for making the visit even more amazing! The food in the Coach House Kitchen is especially lovely as well!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 June 2023
  • Richard P
    London, United Kingdom24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent
    Had an amazing day at Hatfield House. The house and gardens are stunning. So much interesting history that was really brought to life by the staff, particularly Neil and Dermot who looked after my disabled mother beautifully and gave us the VIP history tour. Feel very lucky and privileged. Many thanks to them!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 June 2023
  • Carol F
    Niagara Falls, Canada19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing! Thanks Dermot!
    My husband and I had the most lovely day here. My whole life I have wanted to see the place where Elizabeth I was staying when she inherited the throne. The main house was beautiful and the grounds even lovelier - but the truly hidden gem here was the staff! I had travelled around the world to see the old palace, and to walk the same hallways as Elizabeth. When I found out there was a possibility I might not be allowed to go to the old palace as there was a wedding the night before, I was beyond devastated. But in the true hospitable English way, the staff made sure my dream was fulfilled! A lovely lady at the front door of the House helped steer us in the direction of the best person to help us achieve our goal….Dermot! Dermot truly seems to be the heart of Hatfield! His love of this property and history was so delightful and truly made our visit more special than we could have hoped! He gave us a mini-private tour of the old palace. And it changed my life to be in the very building where Elizabeth and Cecil planned their first ideas of how they wanted their future England to be ruled. His explanation of all things Elizabeth made me so happy and really made the hallways come to life. He made our last day in England a memory that will last a lifetime! Thanks Dermot! And Hatfield House!
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 June 2023
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,564 reviews
Excellent
934
Very good
340
Average
143
Poor
62
Terrible
86

Cath D
Preston, UK5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
We really enjoyed our visit to the Old Palace. Dermot was a very entertaining and well informed guide. It was an absolute pleasure to meet him. The grounds and gardens are lovely and we had a really enjoyable walk around. The only slight disappointment was the restaurant- my daughter bought a sandwich which had no mozzarella in it and when she took it back, was asked if she had taken the mozzarella out! This seems a strange way of apologising for selling her a sandwich that had the key ingredient missing. However, they did replace it and they were extremely busy - even at 2.30 pm, so I suppose mistakes do happen. Overall we had a lovely visit - my daughter wanted to say,’Thanks Dermot for a fab tour and for being so lovely’ so I have passed on the message!
Written 7 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sunshine00191025953
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
Walked around the woodlands followed by the old palace talk by Dermot who was absolutely brilliant. His tour of the old palace and knowledge was absolutely fantastic. He is an excellent guide and story teller and I highly recommend doing this talk for anyone visiting Hatfield House.
Written 7 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DorothyHerts
Herts17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
We visited Hatfield at the weekend. We love the courtyard and looking at the beautiful old buildings.
We went on the palace tour and had Dermot as our guide. He was so fantastic. He was so passionate and knowledgeable and kept the engagement of our 2 children for the whole hour. He shared facts we had never heard before and made us want to know more. It was amazing to be inside a building where the walls had so many secrets they could tell.
We walked around the beautiful gardens and had a wonderful afternoon.
The main house wasn’t open but we will be back in the summer to see the ‘Rainbow painting’ that Dermot had spoken about.
5*
Written 6 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Colin S
0 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
We had a fantastic historical tour of the Old Palace with Dermot, and discover led the true history of Hatfield House and an insight into the life of Elizabeth I by an incredible enthusiast! Thanks Dermot!
Written 5 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gillian P
1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
We went to Hatfield House only to find the main house was shut until June.
We paid £7 each for a tour of the old Palace . We'll worth it. Our tour guide was the marvellous Dermot ...he lives and breathes the Tudor period and knows absolutely everything there is to know...He was the highlight of the day.
The gardens are beautiful and extremely well kept.
We are planning to go back again when the main house is open .
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma W
Chigwell, UK0 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
Enjoyed a tour of the Old Palace. Our guide, Dermot, was absolutely fantastic - extremely knowledgeable and very personable. It was a real pleasure to be escorted through Tudor history by him.
Following our tour, we delighted in a lovely cream tea at the Coach House Kitchen, before taking in a scenic stroll around the park.
It was a wonderful day and we would highly recommend a visit.
Written 4 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barbara L
2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
The gardens and woodland walks are well worth a visit, even on a cold day. My friend and I very much enjoyed a talk by Dermot, in the Old Palace. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. An apprentice gardener was keen to share his knowledge when we asked if he could identify a plant, plus he explained a large piece of land which had previously been a croquet lawn, was used to grow food for a local food bank during lockdown. It's now being used as a wild flower meadow.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Passenger640619
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
Even though the weather was very cold, we enjoyed our visit to Hatfield Old Palace and gardens. Although we are repeat visitors, the gardens still offered plenty to see. The wild areas had carpets of blue bells and cowslips in bloom, while the east and west gardens had spectacular peonies. We stopped to ask a gardener about a few plants and he was very helpful in identifying them. At the recommendation of the friendly staff in the ticket booth, we decided to have a tour of the Old Palace. Our guide was Dermot and he brought the palace to life with his extensive knowledge of the history, a passion for the house, kindness and humour. We had a delicious lunch at the cafeteria where again the staff were very friendly and helpful. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all and we will be visiting again.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sandraW7204KO
London, UK12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
Had a wonderful time. Will definitely be back. Hadn't realised how big the park was so comfortable shoes a must if you plan on going for a walk. So many wonderful trees.
We knew the House would be closed so it was a bonus to find that the Okd Palace was open to visits. We had a guided tour with Dermott who is brilliant. He is a natural storyteller and has a way of making history come alive and keep your attention throughout. The hour flew by. Hope to see him do tours of the House when it opens.
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Josie M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Friends
We visited Hatfield House yesterday and joined a tour around the Old Palace. The building is incredibly beautiful and our guide Dermot was excellent. He told us in a really enjoyable and informative way about the Tudor and their links and influences upon Hatfield house. He made the visit memorable, thank you.
The gardens and grounds are also stunning. We will come again
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HATFIELD HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Hatfield House

Hatfield House is open:
  • Wed - Sun 11:00 - 16:00


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