Car Hire Hatfield

With a population of a little over 41,000, Hatfield offers remarkable accessibility via the A1(M) motorway that cleverly runs through a tunnel beneath the town, connecting seamlessly to the M25 orbital and providing direct routes to London just 20 miles south. You’ll find the climate typically English with variable weather patterns throughout the year, so we recommend checking conditions before setting out, though the changeable skies often enhance the dramatic beauty of Hatfield House and its surrounding parklands.

Hatfield uniquely combines historic grandeur with modern innovation, centred around the spectacular Jacobean Hatfield House—childhood home of Elizabeth I and one of England’s finest stately homes featuring magnificent state rooms, formal gardens and extensive parkland.

Attractions In Hatfield

Innovation meets heritage where cutting-edge university research facilities neighbour the opulent Jacobean splendour of Hatfield House, while the town centre buzzes with students, shoppers and visitors exploring aviation history museums.

Hatfield House, Park and Gardens

Open weekdays from 10:30 AM to 4 PM and weekends from 11 AM until four, this spectacular combination of culture and nature has earned an exceptional 4.5-star rating from over 2,500 visitors. You can feel history resonating throughout the magnificent house built by Robert Cecil, alongside the Old Palace where Elizabeth Tudor grew up. The massive park provides ample space for exploration, with knowledgeable staff eager to share their wealth of historical knowledge.

De Havilland Aircraft Museum

This remarkable aviation museum operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 in the morning until 4 PM, located at Salisbury Hall in nearby London Colney and has achieved an outstanding 4.7-star rating from over 1,300 reviews. The exhibits showcase superb aircraft, including three magnificent Mosquitos, with caring restoration work that brings aviation history to life. You’ll find the friendly volunteers, many former De Havilland workers, particularly engaging storytellers.

Mill Green Museum and Watermill

We find this still-functioning watermill provides fascinating insights into traditional farming and local produce. The thoughtful restoration work creates a wonderfully authentic atmosphere that transports visitors back in time. Tours are available twice weekly – Fridays from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sundays from noon to four – at this charming piece of working agricultural heritage on Bush Hall Lane. As a bonus, you can buy their organic stoneground flour, fresh from the mill, enjoy the lemon drizzle cake and have a cup of delicious Emperor Grey tea (of course, we tried all of it and will be back for more!).

Hatfield Aerodrome Trail

The Hatfield Aerodrome Trail is a fascinating 4 km walk celebrating the history of the former de Havilland aircraft factory, which operated here until 1994. This site produced iconic planes like the Mosquito and the Comet, the world’s first jet airliner. The route, starting near the University campus, uses 10 information boards to guide you. It cleverly highlights the surviving structures, including the beautiful Art Deco administration block and the preserved flight test hangar, giving a proper sense of the immense aviation legacy left behind.

The Bunker At Hatfield Police Station

You can explore this fantastic little museum within the police station by pre-booked appointment, with guided visits lasting just over an hour. The displays detail the fascinating history of the De Havilland factory and local policing, providing unique insights into Hatfield’s industrial and social heritage that complement your broader exploration of the area.

Consider extending your journey to these nearby destinations:

• Essendon
• Brookmans Park
• Welwyn Garden City
• Potters Bar
• Welwyn
• South Mimms
• Hertford
• Wheathampstead

Nast Hyde Halt

If you’re walking or cycling the Alban Way near Hatfield, the Nast Hyde Halt is a brilliant spot to stop. It’s a disused railway station, which originally opened back in 1910 but closed to passengers in 1951. Thankfully, it has been lovingly restored by a local volunteer with a replica platform, sign and even a section of track. It’s now a charming landmark on the trail, giving you a proper sense of the history of the old railway line.

Monument To Vincenzo Lunardi

You’ll discover this unique monument on Parsonage Lane in Welham Green, marking the brief, historic spot where Italian aeronaut Vincenzo Lunardi first touched down during his pioneering flight over England on 15th September 1784. He lifted off from London accompanied by a dog, a cat and a pigeon but was forced to descend momentarily near Welham Green to release his poor, airsick cat. This event caused a massive stir and the spot, at the junction of Huggins Lane and Parsonage Lane, is now a local landmark featuring a stone with a commemorative plaque..

War Memorial Hatfield

The War Memorial in Hatfield is a very moving landmark, situated right in the heart of Old Hatfield at the Fore Street junction. Unveiled in 1921, it was designed by the famous architect Sir Reginald Blomfield and features a distinctive bronze figure of a soldier standing on a tall plinth. It commemorates the local men who lost their lives in both World Wars. It’s a Grade II listed structure and remains the main focal point for the town’s solemn annual Remembrance Sunday services.

Ellenbrook Fields

Ellenbrook Fields is a popular, 400-acre country park situated between Hatfield and St Albans. The site has a fascinating history, as it once formed the extensive runway of the famous de Havilland Aerodrome. Now a protected Green Belt area, locals cherish the open grasslands for walking, cycling and birdwatching, where you can often spot Longhorn cattle grazing. However, this vital green space is currently the subject of a major community campaign opposing a contentious, proposed sand and gravel quarry.

Big Park Hatfield

If you’re looking for the ‘Big Park’ in Hatfield, you’re likely referring to the sprawling grounds of Hatfield Park, surrounding the historic Hatfield House. This vast estate has been home to the Cecil family for over 400 years and is famous for its stunning gardens, ancient oak trees and deer park. It’s a wonderful place for a peaceful walk and the grounds often host major events and concerts throughout the year, making it a huge recreational hub right on the edge of the town.

Cherry Way Park

This relaxing green space on Hollyfield provides an ideal spot for unwinding and enjoying fresh air. The open layout makes it perfect for walking and general recreation, offering a peaceful break from the more structured historical attractions elsewhere in Hatfield.

Hatfield Swim Centre

Operating daily with weekday hours from 5:30 AM to 10 PM, Saturdays 7 AM to 6 PM and Sundays 8 AM until six, this comprehensive facility on Lemsford Road offers excellent aquatic recreation. The 33-metre pool provides plenty of space for swimming, enhanced by large, clean changing areas, numerous showers and the convenience of free parking.

Get Wild!

This exciting indoor playground on Comet Way operates Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturdays until 7 PM and Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM. You’ll need to book in advance as tickets cannot be purchased on-site and the high slides provide thrilling entertainment during one-hour sessions that are particularly popular during school holidays.