Car Hire Essendon

Positioned 330 feet above sea level with stunning views across the Lea Valley, this charming Hertfordshire village of Essendon sits conveniently along the B158 road, just 6 miles south-west of Hertford. The A1000 Great North Road and A414 provide excellent connectivity to the A1(M) and wider motorway network, making exploration effortless. You’ll experience pleasant summer temperatures reaching around 25°C and mild winter conditions, perfect for year-round discovery in this peaceful rural setting which only around 600 people call home.

Essendon features the charming St Mary the Virgin Church dating from the 12th century, traditional village pub and scattered farms that maintain the area’s agricultural character. The village serves as an ideal base for exploring the beautiful Lea Valley with its network of footpaths, bridleways and quiet country lanes perfect for walking and cycling through typical English countryside.

Attractions In Essendon

This quintessential English hamlet rewards visitors with thatched-roof cottages and ancient church spires, where footpaths weave between working farms.

Hertfordshire Zoo

Daily adventures await from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM at this outstanding family attraction on White Stubbs Lane in nearby Broxbourne. With an exceptional 4.6 rating from over 9,000 reviews, this top-rated destination combines excellent animal enclosures with engaging educational talks throughout the day. The zoo features both indoor and outdoor play areas for children, plus a fascinating dinosaur exhibit that adds extra excitement to your visit.

Stanborough Park Water Sports Centre

Open weekdays from 6 AM to 10 PM and weekends from 8 AM to 6 PM, this popular water park on Stanborough Road offers something special for every family member. Over 4,000 positive reviews highlight the beautiful lakes, perfect for leisurely walks, pedalo adventures and wildlife watching. The well-maintained paths provide excellent accessibility and you’ll find plenty of picnic areas plus a delightful Italian restaurant to complete your day out.

Hatfield House, Park And Gardens

Weekend visits from 11 AM to 4 PM reveal this magnificent Tudor mansion on the Hatfield estate, earning an impressive 4.5 rating from over 2,700 visitors. The house showcases centuries of English history with knowledgeable guides in each room ready to share fascinating stories. We particularly recommend timing your visit with special events like classic car displays and don’t miss the peaceful gardens filled with flowers and maintained to perfection.

Elizabeth Oak

Standing proudly at Hatfield House, this ancient oak holds enormous historical significance as the spot where Elizabeth I learned of her accession to the throne in 1558. The magnificent tree provides a direct connection to one of England’s most important monarchs and represents a living piece of Tudor history. Visitors often find this location particularly moving when considering the momentous events that unfolded here.

Panshanger Park

Daily visits from 8 AM to 6 PM transport you to this fairy-tale location on Thieves Lane in Hertford, where 4.6 stars from over 1,200 reviews reflect its magical appeal. The park features numerous trails across its vast acreage, plus the stunning Orangery remnant from the original Panshanger estate. Don’t miss the tree purportedly planted by Queen Elizabeth I herself and the crystal-clear King’s Lake offering spectacular photography opportunities.

Ready to explore the surrounding areas? Here are the closest locations for your car hire adventures:

• Hatfield
• Brookmans Park
• Potters Bar
• Welwyn Garden City
• Hertford
• Broxbourne
• South Mimms
• Cheshunt

Hartham Common Park

This riverside gem along the River Lea welcomes visitors around the clock with its impressive 4.6 rating from over 1,300 visitors. The park combines extensive green spaces perfect for picnics with scenic riverside walks and cycling paths. Families appreciate the excellent playground featuring climbing nets, swings and a mini rock climbing area, plus there’s convenient Sunday parking at just £2 for the entire day.

Oakmere Park

The lakes at Oakmere Park were originally a key feature of the grounds for Oakmere House and were created to form part of a larger landscaped garden. They were fed primarily by natural springs but the water levels had dropped significantly by the 1990s. The resultant shallower water led to a decline in their ecological condition. In the 1990s, the park benefited from a restoration project which involved the desilting of the lakes and other refurbishment works. Today, the park features two large lakes, Oakmere house, which has a restaurant, children’s playground and numerous tree species dating back to 19^th century.

Bedwell Park

This elegant parkland setting near the village showcases stunning golf course surroundings that have earned praise from visitors. The park forms part of the prestigious Essendon Country Club complex, offering magnificent views across manicured grounds. The location provides an ideal combination of natural beauty and sporting excellence, making it perfect for those who appreciate both landscape and recreational facilities.

Tewinbury Nature Reserve

Tewinbury Nature Reserve, managed by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, is a fantastic spot nestled in the picturesque Mimram Valley. This precious site boasts a diverse mix of habitats, including rich tall fen and swamp around a lovely lagoon, alongside wet meadows and chalk streams. It’s a real haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering sightings of various bird species like the elusive Reed warbler and even the charming Water vole swimming in the reedbeds. A paved path leads to an accessible bird hide, making it a brilliant location for spotting kingfisher or yellowhammers.

Mill Green Museum And Watermill

Friday visits from 10 AM to 4 PM and Sunday afternoons from noon until 4 PM offer fascinating insights into local milling history on Bush Hall Lane. The museum features a working watermill over three centuries old, with enthusiastic millers demonstrating traditional flour production techniques. You can purchase flour made on-site and enjoy cream teas made with the mill’s ingredients in the lovely gardens.

Stratton’s Tower

This intriguing 155-foot tower on Buck’s Alley in Little Berkhamsted represents a fascinating piece of architectural history dating from 1789. Admiral John Stratton commissioned this £3,000 structure, believed to have served astronomical observation purposes. The tower, sometimes called ‘The Folly’, provides unique historical interest and represents the kind of grand Victorian engineering projects that characterised the era.

Former Home Of Dame Barbara Cartland

Camfield Place offers a unique glimpse into the life of Britain’s famous romantic novelist through guided tours led by her granddaughter. The experience includes fascinating insights into the author’s life and work, followed by traditional afternoon tea featuring recipes from her cookbook. This intimate historical experience provides personal connections to one of Britain’s most prolific writers.

Folly Arch

This distinctive architectural landmark on Swanley Bar Lane in Potters Bar represents the kind of decorative structures that wealthy landowners commissioned to enhance their estates. The arch provides historical interest and photographic opportunities, reflecting the Georgian and Victorian taste for ornamental garden architecture that characterises much of Hertfordshire’s landscape heritage.

Get Wild!

Located on Comet Way in Hatfield, this indoor playground requires booking through their website and offers excellent entertainment for children over five years old. Sessions cost around £3-6 per hour with no charge for accompanying adults, though space is limited to one-hour slots. The facility provides comfortable seating areas for parents and connects to a café, making it ideal for rainy-day entertainment.