Hatfield House

Hatfield House is a Jacobean country house in Hertfordshire, in south-east England, on the eastern side of the town of Hatfield. It is a Grade I listed building set in a large park known as the Great Park, and since the 17th century it has been the seat of the Marquesses of Salisbury.

What is the history of Hatfield House?

The land was once royal property. Henry VIII took the estate during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the future Queen Elizabeth I spent part of her youth in the old palace here. It was at Hatfield, in 1558, that she received the news of her accession to the throne, which makes the site an important marker of the start of the Elizabethan era.

In 1607 King James I exchanged Hatfield for Theobalds Palace, which belonged to Robert Cecil, the first Earl of Salisbury. Cecil had three sides of the old palace pulled down, leaving only the great hall, and built a new house a short distance to the south-east. Sources differ on the exact dates, but construction ran from about 1607 to roughly 1611 or 1612.

What can you see inside?

Original Jacobean features include the richly carved wooden Grand Staircase and the rare stained glass window in the private chapel. The house is still the home of the Salisbury family, so it feels like a lived-in residence rather than a museum frozen in time.

What makes the gardens special?

The gardens are a major reason to visit. Thomas Chaundler laid out the East Garden around 1610-11, with waterworks designed by the Dutchman Simon Sturtevant. Cecil also employed John Tradescant the Elder to gather plants from across Europe for his new home. The knot gardens beside the Old Palace were recreated in the 1980s, giving visitors a sense of how formal planting was arranged in earlier centuries.

Who is it for?

Hatfield House suits anyone interested in Tudor and Stuart history, Renaissance and Jacobean architecture, or historic gardens. It works well as a full-day trip from London, and a walk through the park offers a break from touring the interiors.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hatfield House? In Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on the eastern side of the town, surrounded by the Great Park.

When was the present house built? Robert Cecil had it built in the early 17th century, roughly 1607-1612.

What is the link with Elizabeth I? In 1558, at the old palace on this estate, she was told that she had become queen.

Is the house open to visitors? Opening days and hours vary by season, so check the official website of the estate before you go.

Who lives at Hatfield House? It is the seat of the Marquesses of Salisbury.