The great Jacobean House, which stands in its own magnificent park of 1,500 acres, has been the home of the Cecil family since it was built between 1607 and 1611. The staterooms are full of famous paintings, fine furniture, rare tapestries and historic armour. Also to be seen are the two- storey high Marble Hall, the Minstrels Gallery and the Grand Staircase one of the finest examples of the period still in existence.
In the West Gardens the surviving wing of the former Royal Palace still stands, dating back to 1497, and here the medieval banqueting hall is still used for Elizabethan feasts. It has a superb timbered roof of oak and chestnut.
The gardens at Hatfield House date from the early 17th century when Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury employed John Tradescant the Elder to plant and lay them out around his new home. Today the present Marchioness continues to recreate and maintain the grounds entirely organically in a style that reflects their Jacobean history.
There are exhibitions and special events staged during the summer including the annual festival of living crafts in May and a midsummer festival of gardening in June.
Hatfield House is open daily, except Mondays but including bank holidays, from the end of March until the end of September.
For details of opening times and admission charges ring (01707) 262823. For information about banquets at the Palace ring (01707) 262055. The main gates are opposite Hatfield railway station.