Summary of Attractions in Hertford
Hertfordshire’s county seat is a modest yet well-preserved market town situated at an ancient crossing on the River Lea.
The inaugural general Synod of the English church convened here in 673, at which the date for Easter was determined.
Subsequently, Anglo-Saxons recognized Hertford as a strategically significant location at the convergence of four rivers, prompting Edward the Elder to construct defenses at the ford over the Lea.
From these origins, Hertford Castle evolved, serving as a royal residence until the reign of James I, featuring riverfront gardens accessible to the public.
Among Hertford’s many compact yet noteworthy attractions are the oldest purpose-built Friends Meeting House (1670), the childhood residence of naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, and an abundance of 17th-century and Georgian architecture.
1. Hertford Heritage Trail
To illustrate the numerous attractions awaiting you along Hertford’s streets, there are over 41 stops on the town’s Heritage Trail.
Adorned by the impressive Georgian Shire Hall, Fore Street is exceptionally picturesque.
The entirety of the street deserves exploration, but the western end delights with rare pargeting (decorative stuccowork) visible on the Salisbury Arms (1570) and the terrace of mid-17th-century houses at 3-13. Wallace House at 11 St Andrew Street is a must-visit.
This was the childhood home of naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913), who journeyed to the Amazon Basin and the Malay Archipelago, independently formulating a theory of evolution concurrent with Darwin.
2. Hertford Castle
Spanning the River Lea, Castle Gardens provide an exquisite setting to enjoy an hour or two.
These grounds belong to Hertford Castle, established by Edward the Elder in the early 10th century.
The location was transformed into a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the 11th century, with remnants of that earthwork mound still observable beside the Lea.
In the 1170s, Henry II reconstructed the castle in stone, which subsequently served as a royal residence, often housing significant prisoners such as Knights Templar, King John II of France, and David II of Scotland during the Hundred Years’ War.
In 1563, Parliament convened at this very site during a plague outbreak in London.
This marked a zenith for the castle before it entered a protracted period of decline.
In addition to Henry II’s flint and stone wall, the main surviving edifice is the gatehouse, reimagined in a Gothic Revival style in the late 18th century.
This venue is privately owned for weddings, yet it can be accessed during Heritage Open Days in September, while the gardens remain perpetually open to the public.
3. Hertford Museum
The Hertford Museum, established in 1903 by entrepreneurs the Andrews Brothers based on their private collection, is housed in a 17th-century townhouse and underwent a Heritage Lottery refurbishment, reopening in 2010.
With over 100,000 artifacts in its collection, only 5% can be displayed at any one time.
As anticipated, the exhibition spans diverse topics including fine art, geology, ethnography, archaeology, ceramics, photography, the Hertfordshire Regiment, and local ephemera, portraying the daily life in Hertford throughout history.
A signature exhibit not to be overlooked is the Roman corn-drying oven (for beer), dating back to the 4th century and weighing 20 tons, a unique find within the UK.
4. Riverside Trail
The Riverside Trail allows one to appreciate both Hertford and the River Lea, guiding you toward the neighboring town of Ware and returning via a circular route.
This leisurely walk measures just under six miles, leading you over the Lee Valley floodplain, past the Hertford and Ware locks, waterside gazebos, remnants of 18th-century watermills, and a historical pump house.
At Chadwell Springs, you can observe the “New River,” a manmade channel established in 1613 to provide London with drinking water, which continues to draw resources from the Lea. King’s Mead, located just outside Ware, floods during winter, serving as a habitat for migratory birds such as teals, gadwalls, and shovelers.
5. Scotts Grotto
On a Saturday walk to Ware, taking a brief detour to Scotts Grotto is highly recommended. This series of interconnected chambers, adorned with flint, colored glass, shells, and fossils, extends 20 meters into the chalk hillside.
The Grade I-listed Scotts Grotto, originally part of the garden of Amwell House, was commissioned by Quaker poet John Scott (1731-1783). This intricately designed complex required several years and approximately £10,000 to complete, an extraordinary sum in that era.
It is believed that Scott sought a secluded space for his writing; the inscription “FROG” in the main “Council Chamber” serves as a tribute to his spouse, Sarah Frogley.
The estate has since undergone redevelopment, yet the grotto remains accessible on Saturdays (14:00-16:30) during the months of April through September.
6. Quaker Meeting House
At 50 Railway Street resides the oldest purpose-built Friends Meeting House globally which has remained in continuous use.
The first Quaker preacher arrived in Hertford in 1655, practicing in private homes until this building’s completion in 1670. For those interested in experiencing the typically understated yet atmospheric interiors, there is an open day on the second Sunday of the month from May to September.
7. All Saints’ Church
Besides St Albans Cathedral, Hertford’s All Saints’ Church is the largest ecclesiastical structure in Hertfordshire.
This Grade II*-listed building is more contemporary than it appears, inaugurated in 1905 following the destruction of the previous church by fire in 1891. Its design follows the Perpendicular Revival style in a Northern expression, constructed using red sandstone from Runcorn.
Despite its relatively recent construction, the craftsmanship is exceptional, evidenced by the stained glass windows (the east window by Charles Eamer Kempe), polished limestone font, pulpit, sedilia, and piscina in the chancel, along with the three-manual organ (1900) by Henry Willis & Sons.
Among the memorials are brass pieces dating back to the 1400s, salvaged from the previous church.
8. Hertford Theatre
This contemporary facility located at The Wash by the River Lea serves as Hertford’s principal venue for the performing arts.
The Hertford Theatre is ideal for experiencing local productions (including performances from the Ware Operatic), classical music, touring artists and comedians, as well as lectures featuring various cultural figures and politicians.
The theatre also functions as a cinema, screening both Hollywood blockbusters and lesser-known independent films.
The program includes screenings from prestigious cultural institutions such as the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Society productions.
9. Panshanger Park
This scenic country estate on the western edge of Hertford is owned by Tarmac, which acquired the property for sand and gravel extraction.
Although the Gothic Revival house was demolished in the 1950s, much of the land has been preserved as a nature reserve.
Approximately 200 acres were made publicly accessible in 2014, encompassing a variety of habitats including grasslands, wetlands, and reedbeds.
Ospreys, kingfishers, and numerous species of waterfowl have been reported within the reserve.
Remnants of the historical estate, such as the orangery, stables, and nursery garden wall, can still be observed, alongside the park’s notable maiden oak (with a girth of 7.6 meters) and a tree planted by Winston Churchill.
The remaining portions of the estate will be opened to the public upon the conclusion of quarrying operations.
10. Shire Hall
The striking monument situated at Market Place and Fore Street is the Grade I-listed Shire Hall, an 18th-century edifice constructed by James Adam, son of the renowned architect Robert Adam.
Originating from the late 1760s, Shire Hall initially accommodated the Corn Exchange (until the 1850s) and also included courts, a council chamber, and assembly rooms.
This imposing structure features four stories, constructed from brick and adorned with dressed Portland stone for the arcades, window arches, ledges, garlanded frieze, and Ionic columns.
Currently, Shire Hall functions as a family magistrates’ court, yet it warrants a closer inspection as you navigate through the town.
11. Hartham Common
Bounded by the Rivers Lea and Beane, Hartham Common is a verdant space located to the north of the town center, first mentioned over 1,000 years ago as an area left ungrazed.
Historically, the common served as a venue for jousting and archery contests, intersected by public pathways, where visitors may encounter cattle grazing in the meadows.
A few sports clubs, such as Herts Canoe and Hertford Lawn Tennis Club, are situated within the common.
Public amenities include a fenced children’s play area, a skate park, and a café.
Hartham Leisure Centre, located on the southern side, features a swimming pool, tennis courts, 3G and grass football pitches, in addition to an 85-station gym.
12. Bayfordbury Observatory
Capitalizing on the sparsely populated countryside to the south of Hertford, the University of Hertfordshire’s Bayfordbury Observatory, founded in 1969, is one of the nation’s largest teaching observatories.
The facility includes seven optical telescopes and four radio telescopes, the largest being a 20-inch J.C.D Marsh Cassegrain Telescope.
If you are in the area between October and March, you can participate in an open evening, typically occurring once a month.
For amateur astronomers, this presents a unique opportunity to look through one of the seven optical telescopes, observe the night sky in real-time at the planetarium, engage with researchers and students about their work, attend informative talks, and watch demonstrations by experts.
13. Corn Exchange
This grand Neoclassical hall on Fore Street was inaugurated in 1859 and evolved into a live music venue during the 20th century.
Notable acts, including The Kinks and The Who, have performed at the Corn Exchange, which remained vacant for three decades before experiencing a revival in the last ten years.
The Corn Exchange hosts a variety of live music events, from tribute acts to renowned touring artists.
The venue also features stand-up comedy and a diverse range of club nights, encompassing genres from ska to drum and bass, Argentine tango, 80s disco, and soul music.
14. Charter Market
Operating in Salisbury Square, Maidenhead St, Railway St, and Bircherley Green, a retail market occurs every Saturday in the town center.
Visitors can explore stalls offering an assortment of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, fresh bread and pastries, eggs, flowers, fashion accessories, homewares, and much more.
Additionally, on the second Saturday of each month, a Farmers’ Market sets up at Market Place from 08:30 to 13:00, where patrons can purchase poultry, dairy products, seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey, and various homemade condiments sourced from local farms.
15. Lee & Stort Boat Co
One slightly perplexing aspect of the River Lea is that the navigable arm of the river is referred to as the “Lee” Navigation.
From Easter to September, you can embark on a delightful journey from Hertford to Ware along the Lee, utilizing the Ware and Hertford Waterbus.
On a spacious barge, adaptable to weather conditions, you will glide through the nature-abundant floodplains for approximately 90 minutes each way, navigating the Hertford and Ware locks.
Shuttles operate on Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Bircherley Green Shopping Centre in Hertford.
