Hatfield
Hatfield is a town in the English county of Hertfordshire 20 mi (32 km) north of London. It is perhaps best known as the location of Hatfield House, an historic stately home with strong royal connections that include Queen Elizabeth I. It used to be the base of De Havilland Aircraft (which was taken over by British Aerospace), and it was at Hatfield that the Comet commercial jet airliner was produced. The former runway is now a commercial zone, with roads named after planes produced by De Havilland.
Get in
By road
The A1(M) built to motorway standards and runs under the Galleria centre. Come off at junction 3 (Hatfield University, A414) or junction 4 (Oldings Corner, A414) for the town centre, Hatfield House and the Galleria. The A414 goes to Hertford and Watford. The A1057 goes to St Albans. The A6129 goes to Welwyn Garden City. The A1000 goes to Potters Bar passing Brookmans Park.
By train
Services run by Great Northern operate to Hatfield station. Express services operating between London King's Cross and Cambridge call at Hatfield M-Sa every 30 minutes, Su every hour; these also serve Finsbury Park, Potters Bar Welwyn Garden City, and Stevenage. Stopping services also depart London Moorgate M-F every 20 minutes, Sa Su every 30 minutes, and call at a number of stations in North London, including Old Street, Highbury & Islington, and Finsbury Park.
By bus
UnΕ buses serve Hatfield from a number of London Underground and Overground stations:
- 602 from Watford High Street, on the Overground line from Euston to Watford Junction;
- 610 from Cockfosters, at the northern end of the Piccadilly line;
- 614 from High Barnet, at the northern end of the Northern line;
- 644 from Edgware, at the north-western end of the Northern line.
Pay by cash or contactless. Fares are not integrated with TfL, so you can't pay by Oyster and the zones don't apply.
Get around
UnΕ Buses which are operated by the university (they are pink and purple) serve the area and local community.
See
- π Hatfield House, Park and Gardens, β +44 1707 287010. Summer months only, opening from Easter W-Su and Bank Holidays. Built by the first Earl of Salisbury who was Chief Minister to King James I from 1607 to 1611. The house has an extensive collection of pictures, furnishings and historic armour. Queen Elizabeth 1st spent much of her childhood here and it was here that she learnt that she had become Queen. The garden dates from the early 17th century. The West garden includes a scented garden, herb garden and knot garden.
- π Mill Green Museum, Mill Green. Open Tu-Th 10AM-5PM; Su Bank Holidays 2-5PM. Water-powered flour mill, a three-room local history museum and gardens. Adult Β£3.50.
- π University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, AL10 9AB, β +44 1707 284000.
Do
- π Events at Hatfield Park, Hatfield Park. A year-round calendar featuring markets, immersive theatre, music festivals, concerts, motor shows, fireworks and Christmas lights. Home of the Folk by the Oak festival.
- π Table Tennis, Apollo Court, Bishop Square, AL10 9EX (Outside over the road from the Galeria). Free.
Just outside Hatfield
- π Walk the Alban Way (National Cycle Route 61), AL10 9WP (south of the Galleria). following the disused Hatfield & St Albans Railway 6.5 mi (10.5 km) that was closed in 1968 to the π Nast Hyde Halt, Ellenbrook Ln, AL10 9SX. beautifully preserved railway platform with track and signage towards St Albans.
- π Ride a model railway (North London Society of Model Engineers), Church Ln, Colney Heath, AL4 0NJ.
Buy
- π The Hatfield Galleria, Comet Way, AL10 0XR (Come off A1(M) junction 3 (Hatfield University, A414)). 10AM-. Over 80 shops, 15 restaurants/cafΓ©s, and a cinema.
- π Hatfield Town Centre (on north side of Queensway in centre of Hatfield). Shop times vary; Asda open most days 24 hours. At the centre of Hatfield. Asda Superstore is the anchor of this area, also has: Boots, Barclays Bank, Halifax Bank. On Wednesdays and Sundays in Market Place there is a small market. Town Centre has approximately 50 shops.
- π Hatfield Cycle Hub, 12-13 St Albans Rd E, AL10 0ET, β +44 1707 265 830.
Eat
- π The Airfield, Lemsford Rd, Comet Way AL10 0DA (Near Galleria, access from Lemsford Road), β +44 1707 268 990. 7AM-10PM. Brewers Fayre
- Bar turan. Indian tapas restaurant.
- Happy Valley. Chinese restaurant and fish bar.
Snack
- π Simmons Bakers, 5 The Parade, AL10 0EY, β +44 1707 255 242. M-Sa 6:30AM-5PM, Su 8AM-3PM.
Drink
Old Hatfield
- π The Eight Bells, 2 Park St, AL9 5AX (follow The Broadway and it is straight ahead at the junction of Fore Street), β +44 1707 272 477. A grade II listed public house built in the 16th century, where Dickins was reputed to stay.
- π The Horse and Groom, 21 Park St, AL9 5AT, β +44 1707 264765. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su noonβ10:30PM.
- π The Great Northern Pub, 54 Great North Rd, AL9 5AE (Opposite Hatfield Railway Station). 11AM-10PM.
- π Red Lion, 88 Great North Rd, AL9 5EU, β +44 1707 262 868.
New Hatfield
- π Harrier (The Hill Top), 91 Bishops Rise, AL10 9BZ, β +44 1707 264 727. 11AM-11PM. The hilltop pub named after the Harrier vertical take off fighter built in Hatfield
- π The Hopfields, Homestead Rd, Birchwood, AL10 0QW, β +44 1707 262 927. McMullens
- π Town Inn (& Mai Tai), Queensway, AL10 0LQ (On the Market Place), β +44 1707 271 576. 10AM-10PM. A popular student hangout.
- π The Wrestlers, 89 Great North Rd, Birchwood, AL9 5LP.
Outside Hatfield
- π The Plough, 39 Sleapshyde Lane, Smallford, AL4 0SD, β +44 1727 823 720. A now thatched pub
Sleep
- π The Comet Hotel, St Albans Rd W, AL10 9RH, β +44 1707 932 700, info@comethotel.co.uk.
- π Mercure Hotel Hatfield, Roehyde Way, Hatfield AL10 9AF, β +44 1707 275701. Modern Hotel close to the A1(M). Special 'Real Deal' from Β£100 per coupls for one night including three course dinner, bottle of house wine and full English breakfast. From Β£59 per room.
- π Premier Inn, Lemsford Road, AL10 0DA (at southeast corner where A10 and Comet Way meet), β +44 871 527 8498. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Has 40 rooms. Hotel new and of decent quality. Continental or full breakfast available for additional price at Brewers Fayre, adjacent to hotel. Β£56 and up; if booked locally Β£29 and up.
Go next
Interesting places nearby include Ayot St Lawrence, the former home of George Bernard Shaw.
- To the north Welwyn Garden City, 4 mi (6.4 km) along the A1000.
- To the east Hertford, the county town of Hertfordshire, 12 mi (19 km) along the A414.
- To the south Brookmans Park, 4 mi (6.4 km) along the A1000.
- To the west St Albans, 7 mi (11 km) along the A414 or cycling/walking the Alban Way.
| Routes through Hatfield |
| Peterborough β Welwyn Garden City β | N S | β Borehamwood β London |